I have been researching for a good combination of monopod +/- head to use with Nikon 500mm F/4 +/- TC1.7 for bird photography. I like moving around and hike a little bit to photograph as I’m also a birder, so a tripod setup is just too inconvenient.
I found threads discussing this issue, but I still cannot make up my mind. However, I want to go for a Manfrotto aluminium monopod. Gitzo CF is out of the games, since it’s too pricey and I don’t believe it will make much difference in weight. These are all my choices:
1. Manfrotto 685B NeoTec + RRS MH-01
2. Manfrotto 680B + RRS MH-01
3. Manfrotto 680B + ball head (like Markins Q3)
4. Manfrotto 680B + no head (attaching directly with a QR clamp)
#1 choice seems very attractive because it’d be ideal to be able to adjust the height of the monopod instantly on the field especially when we tilt the lens up and down to track a bird (based on this http://naturephotography.fredhurteau.com/podtechnique.htm) and the RRS MH-01 should do the job. But it’s just too long when folded (29.3”). Will it pass the security check point when I travel?
#2 choice will get rid of the length issue and it’s cheaper ($59 vs. $169).
#3 choice: someone said good things about using a ball head on a monopod (http://www.nikonians.org/monopods/what_monopod_2.html). It costs more $$. Is it just unnecessary?
#4 choice also came to mind as someone like RRS also said “there's usually not much need for up/down swivel for with 400mm lenses and larger…” (http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/03.html). This way we can just put the QR clamp and plate on and that’s it.
What’s else? ….. Someone claimed Manfrotto 234 tilt head is an alternative, but I don’t want to take risk with that lens. Gimbel head is just too big for me on a monopod.
Anyone has any suggestions? I would really appreciate your input.
I found threads discussing this issue, but I still cannot make up my mind. However, I want to go for a Manfrotto aluminium monopod. Gitzo CF is out of the games, since it’s too pricey and I don’t believe it will make much difference in weight. These are all my choices:
1. Manfrotto 685B NeoTec + RRS MH-01
2. Manfrotto 680B + RRS MH-01
3. Manfrotto 680B + ball head (like Markins Q3)
4. Manfrotto 680B + no head (attaching directly with a QR clamp)
#1 choice seems very attractive because it’d be ideal to be able to adjust the height of the monopod instantly on the field especially when we tilt the lens up and down to track a bird (based on this http://naturephotography.fredhurteau.com/podtechnique.htm) and the RRS MH-01 should do the job. But it’s just too long when folded (29.3”). Will it pass the security check point when I travel?
#2 choice will get rid of the length issue and it’s cheaper ($59 vs. $169).
#3 choice: someone said good things about using a ball head on a monopod (http://www.nikonians.org/monopods/what_monopod_2.html). It costs more $$. Is it just unnecessary?
#4 choice also came to mind as someone like RRS also said “there's usually not much need for up/down swivel for with 400mm lenses and larger…” (http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/03.html). This way we can just put the QR clamp and plate on and that’s it.
What’s else? ….. Someone claimed Manfrotto 234 tilt head is an alternative, but I don’t want to take risk with that lens. Gimbel head is just too big for me on a monopod.
Anyone has any suggestions? I would really appreciate your input.