monopod heads

[Frog]

Probably a dumb question but is there a difference between a monopod and a tripod head?
or is there a reason not to interchange my tripod head with a monopod when I get one?

[SmartWombat]

No difference, but the usefulness of the head varies.
I would want a pan/tilt head on a tripod, but a ball head on a monopod.

[Frog]

Thanks, Paul! Fortunately I have one of each.

[Wild Wassa]

The handle of a tripod head is too long to be convenient for use on a monopod.

Monopod heads using ball and socket have butterfly screws to tighten the ball ... if you tighten the head, at all.

It is the flexibility of the monopod head (with out being to firm) that makes a monopod extremely useful ... beyond just carrying the weight of the gear, that is.

Warren.

[JamesV]

Wow Frog thanks for asking the question. I was wondering the same thing since I was recently looking to pick up a monopod . I currently have a Manfrotto ball head for my tripod.

Should I consider pick up and pan/tilt head for the tripod and leave the ball for the mono? Also if I do get a pan/tilt should I get a Manfrotto so I can use the same quick release in the camera?

James

[mjs1973]

I really don't think a monopod head needs to be a huge investment. I have a tilt/swivel head (not the same as a pan/tilt head) for my monopod that is very similar to this one. Many monopod users don't put any head on them at all.

For me, a full ball head on a monopod just doesn't make sense. With the single pivot point of the monopod, you already have a huge range of movements available. I don't see a ball head adding anything to what is naturally already there, other than extra weight, and cost. I went with the tilt swivel head so I can point my camera down without having to lean the monopod over, same thing with shooting up. If I need to rotate, or pan with a moving subject, I don't need to adjust anything to do so, because I can pivot on the monopod as it.

As far as the pan/tilt head on tripod goes, I don't like those either. I like the single control I have with my ball head on my tripod. Only one thing to adjust, to compose an image with a ball head, compared to 3 on a pan/tilt. I had a pan/tilt on my first tripod. Never again! Of course this is just my opinion, and others may love them.

[JamesV]

Thanks Mike for the help. I really do like the easy use of the ball head on my tripod. So when I do purchase the monopod I will take a look that the tilt/swivel that you have linked. Also good points about using it with the monopod. Cool I will add it to my list on B&H with the monopod and a bubble level that I was looking at.

I was thinking about getting a monopod when I walk around Chicago, since it will be a lot easier to setup and not take up space on the sidewalk.

See, still learning... What a great site.

James

[Frog]

I just figure they aren't hard to take off/put on so I'll take it off the tripod when I need it on the monopod or vice versa.

[Wild Wassa]

"Many monopod users don't put any head on them at all."
And ... then the action moves from close by to the other end of the field and the stick needs to be angled to where the photographer has to become the missing two legs of the tripod. Done several times, this is very limiting. Purchase a quality monopod head. For a monopod to work well and to be cost effective, it must do the job.

Tape your tripod legs together, use it as a monopod, and I guarantee you will know what the week points of a monopod are ... within minutes.

Warren.