Best head for a monopod?

[AlphaWorld]

Now that I’ve committed myself (no, not to a mental institution) to the 400-800, I need to get serious about a monopod. I’d more particularly to a head for a monopod - I bought an Ifootage Cobra a little while back, but didn’t appreciate that I needed a head for it.

So far my Googling has assured me that I don’t want a ball head or a geared head, and likely just one with one dimension of travel (tilt). There are still many choices.

Do you have a favorite monopod head to recommend, or one I should steer clear of (equally useful advice!)?

 

[Unframed Dave]

Add Sigma 500 to Sony 100-400/Sony 200-600 as I age?

I am an almost 70 yr old who enjoys wildlife photography, BUT I am finding it more difficult to hike and hold bigger lenses. I currently use a Sony 100-400mm and a Sony 200-600 mm for most of my shots, but the 200-600 is getting heavier every day, although it gives great results if I can lean...

www.alphashooters.com

I'm still happy with the Wimberley, but I have nothing else fixed to the camera to compare with.

My wife uses the speedigimbal

The SpeediGimbal Kit - The Original - SpeediGimbal

speedigimbal.co.uk

But, I need the camera permanently attached to the monopod. She is very happy with it though. She uses lighter equipment than I.

 

[AlphaWorld]

The Wimberley MH-100? I was just reading a couple of web articles which strongly recommended the Wimberley.

 

[Unframed Dave]

Looks like it. Mine doesn't have any model number, but strongly resembles that.

It doesn't quite make sense until you've used it a few times. Then it clicks.

I've scribed a line on the plate of mine where the arca foot sits to achieve balance. Helps speed things up a bit when you attach it.

 

[dragonsdreams]

Yes the Wimberly MH100 works well with the 200-600mm. I used it to attempt to capture bee eaters driving into a pool in Gambia. The lens is way to heavy to handhold for 30 minutes of shooting.
For more flexibility I use a pistol grip ( Slik, yellow handle).

 

[iain clyne]

Another one for the speedgimbal.

 

[THXGEEK]

I have (2) Sirui monopods - a sturdy SVM-143 and a very compact P-326.

I use the SVM-143 for my bigger lenses and/or when I know I'm not going to be hiking too much. The P-326 is much lighter and is deployed when I'm hiking further distances and/or when my arthritis is being a PITA (among other places... )

I have a Sirui L-10 tilt head on the P-326 and the Wimbly MH100 on the SVM-143. Both appear well-made and are fluid in their operation - all clamps hold tight with reasonable torque applied to their respective knobs. They work quite well, and I can highly recommend both of these depending on your application. The P-326 has a nifty quick-deployment mechanism to allow you to quickly switch between heads as long as you have another quick-release mounting plate.

 

[twamers68]

I use the Wimberley MH-100 when using my 600 f4 and 400 f2.8 and find it works perfect for my needs.......

​

 

[AlphaWorld]

Thank you all for the feedback.

I think I’ll be ordering the Wimberley, although there is a bit of a delay - the Australian dealer is kind of in the path of a cyclone…

I have not had good experiences with ball heads, so I am prejudiced against the Speedi (possibly unfairly, I admit).

I hadn’t looked at the Sirui - sounds like it’s worth a look.

 

[Trout Fisher]

I've had a simple Manfrotto 3232 tilt head on my Manfrotto 3245 pistol grip monopod for many years without mishap and would do the same again. For something heavy like your lens you need a tightening mechanism that will apply some torque, not something small, difficult to grasp like a knurled knob. I would also want the wight centered over the monopod, not hanging off the side.
I added an Arca Swiss adapter to the head - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MV1SYCC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1
That's my 2 cents. Good luck.