[boyinthebush]

Having read many pros and cons for using scopes monopods I'm going to take the plunge and give one a whirl. Lightweight and fast to set up is just for me (20x scope and no digiscoping).

So I've been looking round BF and various websites and have come to a conclusion... I'm lost

It's the top bit... the head... or lack of...

Ok...
1. Some monopods have no head (such as the Monfrottos) ... does a scope clamp on in the same way as a standard tripod... i.e. fixed... so if I sling the monopod over my shoulder the scope won't fall off?... but having no head means there's no panning etc whatsoever. To move the scope, you move your monopod?

2. Some monopods have fixed heads. I'm specifically looking at the Velbon UP-43 here which has a built in ball and socket head. Does the scope again attach as in point one but now you can move vertically (and presumably lock it for carrying)?

3. Some monopods have head attachments... such as the Silk Slimpod... so you can chose a ball and socket head/pan and tilt head etc. Again, do they lock solid for carrying?

Sorry if these questions sound a little obvious but I want to get it straight... I think it's the fact you can (I believe) use a monopod with or without a head which confuses me.

[digi-birder]

I'll try and answer some of your questions, bearing in mind that I use a monopod sometimes with a camera, not a scope.

Originally Posted by boyinthebush

1. Some monopods have no head (such as the Monfrottos) ... does a scope clamp on in the same way as a standard tripod... i.e. fixed... so if I sling the monopod over my shoulder the scope won't fall off?... but having no head means there's no panning etc whatsoever. To move the scope, you move your monopod?

I use a Manfrotto monopod with a ball head. The monopod without the head has a screw on the top which would fit into my camera tripod screw - camera directly onto the top of the monopod, but there would be no facility to pan and tilt - I would have to angle the monopod itself to line up the camera with the subject. Very awkward. The head screws into the top of the monopod using the same screw, so theoretically, you have a choice of whether to use the head or not, as it's fully removable.

I haven't tried it, but I suspect that a scope may not fit as comfortably, or securely, in this manner.

Originally Posted by boyinthebush

2. Some monopods have fixed heads. I'm specifically looking at the Velbon UP-43 here which has a built in ball and socket head. Does the scope again attach as in point one but now you can move vertically (and presumably lock it for carrying)?

Not sure about this model. My ball head has a quick-release plate, which also enables my camera to fit on my tripod head as well, that makes it quick to attach and detach the camera. On the Warehouse Express site, there are a couple of ball heads for Velbons, but it doesn't say which one is included with that monopod.

Originally Posted by boyinthebush

3. Some monopods have head attachments... such as the Silk Slimpod... so you can chose a ball and socket head/pan and tilt head etc. Again, do they lock solid for carrying?

The Velbon model you quote comes in two versions - with or without the head, so I assume that this will be pretty much like my Manfrotto - you could probably even choose a different head to the one included.

Again, I'm not familiar with the Slik, but it is probably the case that this head is removable. I think it would be best to call and ask these questions of the retailer and make sure.

My head seems very solid on the monopod and I have carried my camera with long lens attached without any movement.

Originally Posted by boyinthebush

Sorry if these questions sound a little obvious but I want to get it straight... I think it's the fact you can (I believe) use a monopod with or without a head which confuses me.

Yes, you have a screw thread sticking up from the monopod platform, which can either screw directly into the camera tripod fitting, or it can have an optional head screwed onto it, which in turn attaches to the camera.

Hope that helps a little.

[boyinthebush]

Originally Posted by digi-birder

Hope that helps a little.

Nope, it helps a hell of a lot

Thank you thank you thank you.

[StuartReeves]

I have used a 20x scope screwed directly onto a Manfrotto monopod. This is a very light and portable way of using a scope. Panning is not a problem (assuming you have an angled scope), you just move the whole scope-monopod setup. This also applies to movement in the vertical plane over a more limited range - it would be difficult to use such a setup for high-flying birds. I suspect a ball-head would actually make the whole setup less effective. If you are going to take the plunge anyway, why not buy just the monopod, try that with the scope, then decide afterwards whether you need a head or not ?

Cheers,

Stuart

[boyinthebush]

Originally Posted by StuartReeves

If you are going to take the plunge anyway, why not buy just the monopod, try that with the scope, then decide afterwards whether you need a head or not ?

Yes indeed that's not a bad plan.

I certainly have a better understanding of the mechanics of it all now so buying things step by step makes good sense.

... of course any other experiences/recommendations welcome.

[Highway Man]

At 5 foot 8 I'm pretty average height, but my Manfrotto 479 without the additional tilt (quick release) head would just be a gnats too short to use comfortably with my straight through Leica. The tilt head also means that if I angle the head slightly the whole thing feels more stable.

Mark

[boyinthebush]

Originally Posted by M N Reeder

At 5 foot 8 I'm pretty average height, but my Manfrotto 479 without the additional tilt (quick release) head would just be a gnats too short to use comfortably with my straight through Leica. The tilt head also means that if I angle the head slightly the whole thing feels more stable.

I'm 5 foot 6 and my scope is angled so I shouldn't have that problem. Do you find the scope is safely secured for carrying etc?

Incidentally, just for information (see earlier post)... the Velbon UP-43 comes with a PH-243 ball head which is the mini compact ball head Velbon make (and not quick release). So I can presume you can unattach the head or indeed swap it for something else if desired.

[digi-birder]

Originally Posted by boyinthebush

Incidentally, just for information (see earlier post)... the Velbon UP-43 comes with a PH-243 ball head which is the mini compact ball head Velbon make (and not quick release). So I can presume you can unattach the head or indeed swap it for something else if desired.

I think it's called the UP-40 without the head, so it appears that you can buy it on its own and then get any other head you like to go with it.

[boyinthebush]

Originally Posted by digi-birder

I think it's called the UP-40 without the head, so it appears that you can buy it on its own and then get any other head you like to go with it.

Yes it is... good point.

I think I was drawn to that model as it's pretty cheap and came with a ball head as standard... "all in one" if you like... but having looked more into it (I never realised how many monopods and different heads are out there) and thanks to this thread my eyes are now wide open so I can research and ponder to my hearts content.

I still think the UP-43 is a good deal but I am wondering if I'll be better spending that bit more to get me further up the range as there's nothing worse than compromising only to find you want a better one 2 months later is there.

[digi-birder]

For your info, I have the Manfrotto 691B Pro (even though I'm not one!) and the 486RC2 head. It's a good setup and I am very happy with it.