Monopod head

B

Braindead@70

Well-known member
i recently acquired a Sony PXW-X70.....less than 4 pounds! I have several monopods that I have used for photography and I think I will try one with the X70.

There are lots of monopod heads on the web to pick from but I trust you guys for a recommendation. I need a head that I can set the tension on to get a smooth tilt and POSITIVE lock down when required. Either mechanical or fluid action is OK.

Your thoughts?
 
Really Right Stuff FH-350. Best relatively light weight flat head tripod head available.

I hate Benro heads; I own the S6 and S2, and have worked with the S4. Blech. Actually, the S2 isn't so bad as a lightweight stationary head, just not good for movement. On the cheaper side, I use the Manfrotto 701 head on my monopod. I like it more than the updated Manfrotto 500 head. It's pretty good for what it is, but you can't set the tension on it as you said you would like.
 
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Eric Coughlin said:
Really Right Stuff FH-350. Best relatively light weight flat head tripod head available.

I hate Benro heads; I own the S6 and S2, and have worked with the S4. Blech. Actually, the S2 isn't so bad as a lightweight stationary head, just not good for movement. On the cheaper side, I use the Manfrotto 701 head on my monopod. I like it more than the updated Manfrotto 500 head. It's pretty good for what it is, but you can't set the tension on it as you said you would like.
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That Really Right Stuff FH-350 is $1800!!! Are you nuts? LOL!!! Do you actually own one? I am checking the Benro & Manfrotto....more in my league.

Thanks
 
Benro S6 as a minimum, but S8 would be better.

Used Vinten Vision heads might go in the same price range, might need to buy a whole tripod just for the head though.
 
Braindead@70 said:
That Really Right Stuff FH-350 is $1800!!! Are you nuts? LOL!!! Do you actually own one? I am checking the Benro & Manfrotto....more in my league.

Thanks
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No, but I'm planning to buy one soon. Philip Bloom has been using the Really Right Stuff FH-350 head as well lately. I own a Vinten Vision Blue head, as Greg mentioned. But, you can't use that on a monopod because the bowl is permanently attached to it, so it'd be too finicky since you'd need to use a high hat to use it on a monopod.

Manfrotto heads are way better than Benro heads. The Benro S6 I have, the pan function is way too loose, and there's no friction control to make it tighter or looser, so getting a smooth pan is quite difficult; I suppose if you're panning from the monopod legs this may not be as much of an issue. The Manfrotto 502 is okay, it at least has pan and tilt drag adjustment on it and is way better than the Benro S6.
 
I'll have to check our Vision heads, normally the ball is held on by 3 or 4 bolts recessed in there, or the ball has a threaded stud and is screwed into the bottom of the head. It is almost always a replaceable part because they do wear out. Also they can be swapped for 75mm and or Mitchel. But I could be wrong.

The Benro S8 adds drag on the pan and better balance preload springs, but the price starts climbing.
 
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