Monopod question

Moab Man

Senior Member
I've never seen a monopod come with a ball head attached from the factory. However, when I put one on my monopod I loved it for portrait shooting.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Most camera shake comes from the up and down movement of the camera when hand held. A monopod helps alleviate that by eliminating this up and down movement, but still allowing lateral movement. A ball head allows greater latitude in this lateral movement while still being able to control the axis of the camera. The most common use of monopods is at sporting events, when used with long heavy lenses.
 

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
I use a ballhead on my monopod. As was asked previously, why wouldn't I? As Jack mentions, using a heavy lens, like my 70-200 2.8, the monopod gives support and the ballhead gives freedom of movement. I'd appreciate it even more if I was shooting BIG glass.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
While you *could* go without one, I think it would be obvious the huuuge amount of flexibility you would be giving up NOT having a ball head attached to your monopod.
.....
 

splatbass

Senior Member
A ball head is essential to me on a monopod. I don't always want the camera point to straight ahead, or the monopod straight up and down. Sometimes I want to angle the monopod forward to brace it against a rock or curb or something to give it more stability using it with my two legs as kind of a tripod while still having the camera point straight ahead. Or I want the camera to point down. There are lots of techniques you can do with a ball head on a monopod that you can't do without one.
 
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