Bogen Monopods

[JDub]

I am looking at getting a monopod and was interested in the Bogen 681B monopod. I have a couple of questions though...

1. Is no head included with the monopod (so you can't just buy a 681B and attach a camera to it)?
2. If no head is included, which head would you recommend?

I wasn't sure if the heads were only to give you the ability to lock in different angles or something like that. I'm basically just wanting to get a little relief from handholding a 70-200 2.8 lens all day long.

Thanks in advance,
Joel

[Photo-John]

Joel-
I've had a monopod for years. I bought it for using long lenses at motorcycle races. However, I found that it actually got in the way for panning as it only allows you to move your camera along one plane. I ended up just using mine as a support when I wasn't shooting. I'd set it low and then when it was time to shoot I'd pick it up off the ground. I think you absolutely need a good ball head if you want to shoot sports with a monopod. If you only want to set up and shoot one angle, no head is necessary. But for panning, you need full movement and a ball head with a good tension control. That way you can move freely while still allowing the monopod to support the weight of your camera and lens.

[another view]

I just bought a 680B (used to be called a 3249) which is more than enough for a 70-200 2.8. I've only used it once for a music awards show, so my subjects weren't moving around too much (depending on the band!).

If you're using a lens that doesn't have a tripod foot (assuming your 70-200 2.8 has one) then this head might be handy for switching to vertical: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ku=5498&is=REG

[JDub]

Joel-
However, I found that it actually got in the way for panning as it only allows you to move your camera along one plane. I ended up just using mine as a support when I wasn't shooting.

That's interesting, I was kind of thinking that I wanted to limit my movement along a single plane as my pan shots seemed to have some vertical movement to them that seemed to be part of my problem of getting trash shots. Could have also been that I was out of breath and tired after my race. Not ideal shooting conditions to pull off the course after a 30 minute race and start trying to pan...

I know my biggest problem is I need more practice panning with the big Sigma lens. I've found I'm able to pan pretty well with the smaller lenses I own, but the 70-200 is big and heavy comparitively.

I think I'll end up getting a monopod to take some of the strain of my arms at the day long XC races I shoot, but I'll try to practice panning before I add training wheels.

Thanks for the advice.

[Photo-John]

That's interesting, I was kind of thinking that I wanted to limit my movement along a single plane.

Pay really close attention to how you move when you pan. I think you'll notice that there's usually some vertical movement as well as the horizontal pan. Panning usualy ends up being in an arc, and not a straight line. That's the problem I discovered and the reason I quit using my monopod. And recently I've noticed people shooting with big ball heads on their monopods. That should give you the stability and still allow you to move your camera around a little more as you pan.

[SkyHawk]

Joel-
I've had a monopod for years. I bought it for using long lenses at motorcycle races. However, I found that it actually got in the way for panning as it only allows you to move your camera along one plane. I ended up just using mine as a support when I wasn't shooting. I'd set it low and then when it was time to shoot I'd pick it up off the ground. I think you absolutely need a good ball head if you want to shoot sports with a monopod. If you only want to set up and shoot one angle, no head is necessary. But for panning, you need full movement and a ball head with a good tension control. That way you can move freely while still allowing the monopod to support the weight of your camera and lens.

He's right about using a monopod...

SkyHawk

[devoninbred]

Joel i have just got the same lens and like you i have found it is a bit weighty and i am looking at a similar answer, i have a 2 day event comming in august a monopod is one thing i am really considering it would probably be okay in an xc race but in dh using the camera freehand would be better, it depends on how close to the action you can get.