Head for a 500VR lens on a Monopod

[shane shacaluga]

Hi all

I will shortly be getting a 500VR lens and would like to get recommendations on a good head I can use on both my monopod and Tripod. Mainly my monopod

I an not sure what the usual types used are but have seen a Manfrotto 393 and it looks like a good option

Anything different you would suggest?

Thanks

[Tony Whitehead]

I don't use a head on my monopod - just screw it into the lens foot. Works fine as long as you're not angling too steeply up or down in which case a monopod isn't the best support anyway.

[shane shacaluga]

Thanks guys

Peter: Thanks for that. It looks better and less cumbersome than my gimbal head option ;)

Tony: Do you find just hooking the monopod direct to the lens foot is sturdy enough? Do you need anything for extra support in between? I do the same on my 300f4 lens but was not sure if a heavier lens with more leverage due to the extra length, would be a problem

[David Stephens]

Remember, the lens collar allows you to spin the camera 90-degrees, so you've got vertical and horizontal orientation. For smaller lenses, you'll need a monopod head that'll allow you to drop to vertical, but there's no such need with a big lens, just loosen the collar.

[Tony Whitehead]

Tony: Do you find just hooking the monopod direct to the lens foot is sturdy enough? Do you need anything for extra support in between? I do the same on my 300f4 lens but was not sure if a heavier lens with more leverage due to the extra length, would be a problem

The monopod screws solidly into the lens foot. I would be more concerned if there was something else between the lensfoot and monopod plate.

[van bogaert erik]

i don't use a head on a monopod, i only use a wimberly clamp on it .

[David Stephens]

Good point, a quick release is a huge plus.

[Linwood Ferguson]

I shoot mostly sports and so use a monopod for the vast majority of my work. I never use a head, just screw directly in. +/- 30 degrees or so is easy just by leaning it. To me it would take too many hands to be adjusting a head. And screw/unscrew to change lenses is barely slower than a quick release clamp and the possibilities of errors that introduces. I LIKE feeling that screw in and tighten firmly, makes me confident when I throw it over my shoulder to move.