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Tripod head with a Monopod? (1 Viewer)

Laurie93

Laurie93

Well-known member
Hello,
I am thinking of getting a small spotting scope to take out on walks. I am thinking of using a monopod as it is light and easy to carry, with a mag of around 20X.
Would I need a tripod head or ball and socket head, or is it not essential to have one? If it is important, what sort of thing would I be looking at?
Thanks, Laurie.
 
Hi Laurie93,

this is how I solved it:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2161325#post2161325

You have to use a ball head with this solution, because with a video head the obliquely standing monopod's platform will make horisontal panning impossible.
A very long time ago I tried to attach a scope to this monopod without any video head or ball head. This would probably break the attachment plate of the scope and does not permit any vertical movements.

So basically - yes, you'll need a ball head. With tripods I prefer a video head.

Cheers

//Lars

Edit: I use the ED50A with 27x Wide MC or 13-30x MC zoom and encounter no stability problems that don't emanate from my own swaying from the coastal breezes :)
 
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Laurie93 said:
Would I need a tripod head or ball and socket head, or is it not essential to have one? If it is important, what sort of thing would I be looking at?
Thanks, Laurie.
Click to expand...

It's possible even without a head at all, as you can do most movements with the monopod alone, but better use a simple one way tilt head such as Manfrotto RC234. No need for a tripod head (2 way head).

Here I described my set up with the excellent and light Nikon ED50:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=209178

I am very happy with that.
 
dalat said:
It's possible even without a head at all, as you can do most movements with the monopod alone
Click to expand...

1) If one wants lo look 45 degrees upwards, one must tilt the monopod just that much. This will make the operational height about 30% less, which will require kneeling.

2) The ED50's tripod thread is infamous for its vulnerability.
I wouldn't challenge the destiny by mounting it directly onto a tripod plate, it would be only a matter of time before it breaks.
 
Thanks dalat, also looks like a very good set up there.
Youve both given me a lot to think about.

looksharp65 said:
1) I wouldn't challenge the destiny by mounting it directly onto a tripod plate, it would be only a matter of time before it breaks.
Click to expand...

So the ED50's tripod thread is delicate if it gets knocked when it is screwed up directly to the monopod (for example), and therefore ridged. So this sudden jolt could break the thread.
I take it this is the problem?
So having a ball and socket head would mean that if it did get knocked, the scope could move (rotate) and absorb the force that would have otherwise been concentrated on the thread.
I hope this makes sence lol.
 
Well, I have to admit that a ball head requires that you tighten one of two tension knobs when you go for a walk. Otherwise the scope will hang like a sad tulip :).
When I see a bird, I put it down and extend it if it's not already done. Then I loosen the right tension knob and adjust the friction with the left tension knob.

I'm not really saying that a tightened ball head will prevent that kind of damage because after all, it needs to be tightened. But if greater power is applied, the scope might still move away.
But I'm very convinced that a monopod without a ball head or video head will break the tripod connection of the ED50 sooner or later.

//L

Edit: So one of the knobs serves for a sort of binary on/off function - either stopped or loose, while the other serves to give the right friction in the movement. Mine is a Chinese Benro KB-0, not really wonderful but decent. The release system is a little awkward but the ball head is fine.
Can be had at *Bay. Oh, and I've found that some dry hard soap is good for lubrication of the ball.
 
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I agree to looksharps recommendation to not use the monopod without head at all. It is possible in principle (I was surprised how well it worked with my angled scope while I did not yet have the tilt-head), but has the disadvantages mentionned by looksharp.

looksharp65 said:
But I'm very convinced that a monopod without a ball head or video head will break the tripod connection of the ED50 sooner or later.
Click to expand...

The main point is that by using a head, you will use a quick release plate that is fixed once to the scope and stays there. Using the ED50 without quick release would mean you need to screw it on the monopod or head every time, and that may indeed weeken or break the thread of the scope with time.

The monostat I use allows free movement around it's axis, so you only need to adjust the inclination, for this a one-way tilt head is enough. I understand that in looksharps solution, movements around the axis are not possible. So there you would indeed need a light 2-way head or ball head.

Normal monopods will also allow movements around the axis and the use of one-way head. But some set-up that provides addtional stability is needed to have stable views with 30x magnification, such as done by looksharps angle that you fix by your foot, or that rubber foot of the monostat. If you don't want to go beyond 20x mag, a normal monopod may do it though...
 
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With the ED50 you really don't need a big ballhead. I use the Velbon QHD-41/Q on my tripods. I prefer tripods on tripod/monopods like the Trekpod since the really light ones aren't much heavier than a monopod and can allow for handsfree observing while I check a fieldguide. I sometimes also just use the ED50 on a Gorillapod SLR configured as brace across my chest when I really want to go light.
 
It’s hard to make a decision with all of these different suggestions!

The monostats seem a lot more expensive than a monopod. £100 seems a lot for the addition of a rubber foot. Are there any cheaper ones?

If not, I think I will go for a monopod as I am probably going to go for a 20X eyepiece. If the stability is a problem for me then I will think of making a bicycle handle bar upgrade. I will certainly do this if a get a higher magnification eyepiece in the future.

Now on to heads.
Does the head that you use RJM have a function to allow you to adjust the friction or is it an "on off", (locked, unlocked) design. If it is "on off" do you find it a problem?

Thank you for your time, I really appreciate it.
Laurie.
 
Like all small ballheads of this class it is technically on/off. But its rated capacity is still 2x more than ED50 w/eyepiece so you don't need to apply full tension for the head to move smoothly. I use a pistol grip with my palm around the head and move the scope with index finger and thumb. Ballheads that have a separate drag adjustment would be more suitable for heavier payloads.
 
Laurie93 said:
If it is "on off" do you find it a problem?.
Click to expand...

I don't find that a problem at all with a monopod. I do most movements anyway by moving the monopod. Only if Ineed to look at a bird high up in a tree or flying over, I change the inclination with the head once, fix it and do the fine adjustments again by moving the monopod.

I can recommend the RC234, light, simple and cheap. With the Ed50 it actually also can be used with some friction.

The Monostat is certainly expensive. Probably mostly due to the patents on that rubber foot, but it also is a very well made stable monopod.

If not, I think I will go for a monopod as I am probably going to go for a 20X eyepiece. If the stability is a problem for me then I will think of making a bicycle handle bar upgrade.
Click to expand...

I'd go that way, if 20x is to be the main use...
 
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