Monopod Used With A Ballhead

[Mithras]

I have recently purchased a monopod for use while taking shots during my son's cross-country meets. I have found that while I have attached my camera to the monopod and take a few shots in landscape orientation I seem to take more shots in portrait orientation with the monopod sticking out to the side instead of underneath supporting the camera on the ground.

It seems that every time I notice a pro photog take shots using a monopod it does not look like they are using a ball head nor have I seen them shot in the portrait orientation. Not that they don't shot in portrait just that they don't seem to do so with the camera attached to a monopod.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a ball head that works well on a monopod that can be quickly switched between landscape and portrait orientation with a certaintly of being truly vertical or horizontal?

[phototakeouter]

I might be misunderstanding the problem you're having, but wouldn't some sort of L-plate work?

Really Right Stuff plates for camera bodies

[cyclohexane]

every time I notice a pro photog take shots using a monopod it does not look like they are using a ball head nor have I seen them shot in the portrait orientation.

Typically, the monopod is attached the lens tripod collar, which rotates to allow the camera to be shot in any orientation.

[gryphonslair99]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

Typically, the monopod is attached the lens tripod collar, which rotates to allow the camera to be shot in any orientation.

"Kaching" Give that man a cigar.

Mithras,
You will find that there are those that use a ball head on a monopod to be able to shoot in Portrait mode, however cyclohexane is right. Normally you would be using long glass on a monopod. Long glass should be used with a tripod mount ring. Even the light weight Canon 70-200 f4 should be used with a tripod mount ring for stability.(even though Canon does not see fit to include one with the lens)

When you use a ball head to achieve portrait rotation you throw the weight of the whole rig off. A monopod is not a just a leg stuck on the ground to hold the thing up although a lot of people use it that way. There are several techniques to using a monopod correctly. Read this little article. How To Use A Monopod & Multi-Purpose Tripod

If you are going to use short glass you could use something like phototakeouter suggested, but to me that is a cumbersum method. I prefer the custom bracket method. Still expensive but quicker to use. Basicly a tripod ring for you camera body. There are others out there like it, I just happen to like Custom Brackets since I use their flash bracket. Custom Brackets: Digital PRO-SV

Here is another:
Stroboframe | Vertaflip Professional Heavy Duty | 300-115 | B&H

[Mithras]

Thanks everyone for the replies. The links were all very helpful in giving some options for me to consider. I would like to be able to say I have one of the longer lenses that comes with a collar, but alas I can't. That would greatly ease my concerns. For now though I will take all offered solutions under advisement and hopefully make a decision before to long.

Thanks again.

[silentrob]

Originally Posted by gryphonslair99

When you use a ball head to achieve portrait rotation you throw the weight of the whole rig off. A monopod is not a just a leg stuck on the ground to hold the thing up although a lot of people use it that way. There are several techniques to using a monopod correctly. Read this little article. How To Use A Monopod & Multi-Purpose Tripod

Thanks for posting that link. I don't use my monopod often, but when I do it's always been as just a vertical post for the camera to rest on top of. Those stances make a lot more sense.

[badpickev]

RRS used to have a cool tutorial about using a ball head on a monopod. they actually recommended using a modified bogen 3232 head. the pdf is found here.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmRRS/Ot...odSolution.pdf

[Mithras]

The RRS solution looks like what I had pictured in my mind as I have tried to think of solutions to the problem. Thanks for the link.

[cyclohexane]

My monopod is set up similarly to the RRS head, but I find that the swivel doesn't come in handy as much as you think it would. Also, the swivel head's only rated at 5.5 pounds, and while it holds double that easily, you have to tighten it down all the way or it will shift slightly during use.

[Crotographer]

Glad I found this thread.... I recently took a series of photos which were out of focus do to camera shake. Not serious but I just find out that I have some nerve damage in my hands. (Wondering what that weird sensation was) I need to get a monopod as I do not want to lug a tripod around. I really don't care which brand of monopod. I do care about the head. Any suggestions . I take both portrait and landscape and I want the ease of switching between the two. I swing my cameras to all positions just for composition.Thanks

[RogersDA]

Check out the ballheads, quick-release plates, and camera brackets from Really Right Stuff.

An L-bracket, if available for your camera, combined with a lever-release plate will allow very quick rotation from portrait to landscape with having to adjust the ballhead's position.

The free RRS catalog has some great information in it, too.

[richardpcrowe]

Either the 3288 Elbow Bracket or the 341 Junior Elbow Bracket will help keep the camera center of gravity directly above your monopod.

Products

[james23p]

I have the Kirk converted Manfrotto/Bogen 3232 swivel head similar to the RRS conversion. Bogen/Manfrotto rates this at 5.5 pounds but I never unlock the swivel head I only got it as it adds a convenient way to have a Arca Swiss QR system to my Monopod, I could have added the Arca Swiss QR directly to the Monopod but the swivel head gives me that just in case portrait position without having to have an L Bracket. This head is solid metal so I would not worry about the weight when locked down. I agree with Micheal I bet it could hold 12 pounds without a problem in the locked position.

Jim

[cyclohexane]

I was shooting with the combo yesterday; it moves a little with a D2HS, 300mm f/2.8, and TC-20E 2x converter attached if I sling it over my shoulder, but it works fine in practice when I'm actually shooting.