You don't need a ball-and-socket for that - a simple one-axis tilt head (such as the Bogen 3232, or the 3229 if you want a quick-release plate) lets you point the lens straight up, straight down, or anywhere between.
The ball-and-socket is a little more convenient (although using a small one with a large lens is *not* something I would recommend), but if the tripod collar on the lens rotates you can get any leg angle you want. > I�d still say that a ball-and-socket head is useful - if you want to > photograph something that is down or up from where you are. It can be done > without a head but it will not be stable. > All the best! > Raimo > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Francis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 7:51 PM > Subject: Re: monopod usage question > > > > > > > > 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? > > > > Short answer: Yes. > > > > If you attach the lens directly to the monopod you get the most stability, > > but very little choice in where you put the monopod leg. If you don't > need > > to change the direction you are pointing the lens this is OK, but it can > > be a problem if you are trying to pan-track a car. For that you really > > want the foot of the monopod in between your feet (less stability, but > > a lot more flexibility). For that you can use just a one-axis tilt > bracket. > > For the maximum in convenience (although at a cost in vibration > resistance) > > I use the Bogen/Manfrotto quick-release ball head. I can adjust the angle > > by simply squeezing the grip to release the lock. Although the maximum > > weight loading specs for this head are fairly low, that assumes you are > > going to be using it in the worst-case scenario (at right angles to the > > monopod); if you restrict the angle to something closer to vertical you > > can put much higher loads on the unit. (Such as an MZ-S + battery grip > > and the 250-600, a combination which weighs somewhere around 15 lbs). > > >
