On Thu, 12 Feb 2004 10:25:48 -0500, you wrote: >With race season approaching, but at the risk of embarrassing myself, I have >to ask the following question about using a monopod: > >I have a lens with a tripod collar. Do I attach the lens directly to the >monopod, or do I get some sort of head to put on the monopod and then attach >the lens? > >Thanks in advance! > >Christian
Sports shooters, at least the SI ones I've been around, attach their collared lenses directly to the monopod. Seems to be a "thing" they do, like hanging a big camera with 35-350 off one shoulder by a thin strap, and never letting on their 600/4 weighs a ton. Their required monopod is carbon fiber Gitzo, of course. But I have inexpensive medium duty Bogen three and four section metal monopods. I use a little Bogen QR head with the F* 300/4.5, and I'm very happy with that setup. I also have the little Bogen swivel unit shown on the RRS page, but I much prefer the ball head mostly because it adds a few inches of height and hand clearance. For the FA* 600/4, I think the Wimberley head with a large Kirk or RRS QR mount and plate is a good solution even on a monopod. I never get field passes so I'm shooting from an elevated position in the stands. The Wimberly on a monopod allows pointing the lens at a down angle while the monopod stays directly under its center of gravity. Normal shutter speed with this combo is 1/180 - 1/250 at f4 and ISO 800 for night baseball. I can get down to 1/30 if I'm not too excited and the stands are not vibrating much. But even in level usage I like the Wimberley head on a monopod for lenses 300/2.8 and larger. It provides a large hand grip, adds significant height, and allows shifting the lens fore and aft for perfect balance in case the addition of a TC changes the balance point. The Wimberley head, plus the QR mount and a QR plate specific to the lens, can run $600. A good investment, IMHO, but not one many people choose for use on a monopod. Of course, there's always image stabilized lenses, but not on this list, drats. I'd love an image stabilized, ultra sonic motor 300/4 or 400/4 with 1.5x AF TC, ... are you listening Pentax? Surprise me with an AF IS teleconverter matched to the 600/4, and I will be a very happy camper. Heck, I'd even be happy with a matched AF teleconverter, without the image stabilization. -- John Mustarde www.photolin.com
