Another vote for the Manfrotto, though I admit to not owning the others. It works fine with the D700 and my 300 f/2.8 with 1.7 extender. However, I do not use a ballhead woth it. I find it less stable and considerably heavier. I prefer Manfrotto's monopod head. I dont need the head to have a full range of motion in that the monopod itself provides that. Also, I find the tripod collar's ability to go verticle is faster and more stable than a ballhead in this situation. Moreover, a ballhead scares me in that it might flop and on a monopod could be dangerous, at least for me.

Using the Manfroto monopod head with its RC2 quick release clamp is also compatible with my other ballheads like the 486RC2 and 488RC2. My two tripods and one monopod all accept that same RC2 plate which is really helpful and fast.

While I agree that a long pod and a ball head are not necessary, they an be really useful. One trick I often use is to extend the pod pretty long, then either place is several feet in front of me and lean into it a little, I or place the foot between my legs and brace it against my knee. Both of these techniques for a pseudo 3-point setup and offer lots more stability. Obviously, since the pod is angled, you'll need some sort of head. I also find having the head adjustment cinched but not tight allows me to pan or tilt the camera/lens with enough resistance to still add stability.

Another thing I often do is use a very short monopod on a ball head. The head is attached to the lens foot, and the bod is adjustable from about 10" to about 15". This combination allows me to use the pod as a shoulder rest, like using a rifle. This adds a surprising mount of stability and is super portable. There is not as much support as a mono or tripod, but still way better than hand holding. The short pod I made from an old aluminum art tripod with the twist lock legs. Cuts down real easy and allows for adjustability with different lenses, addition of extenders and packability.

See below for an image of the setup used with my macro setup. I have a shorter one of these that I use for macro, since it attaches to the camera body, and a slightly longer (more adjustable) one that I use with telephotos for nature and wildlife photography. I apologize that it is not a super image. BTW, to attach the rest to the head, I half pressed then finished by screwing a pipe end-plug into the end. It was a very tight fit. I then drilled and tapped the fitting for a 3/8" bolt, added some teflon tape to the bolt and screwed it in, then cut off the head.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennisdietz/3649269444/sizes/o/

ishootsports3 wrote:
i know some people use heads, but i would advise against it unless you find that you need after using a monopod without


I use a small head with mine mainly for tilt ablity, and most pro level monopods have the larger stud for heads, won't fit into body and some lens feet.

90 5.0 wrote:
ishootsports3 wrote:
i know some people use heads, but i would advise against it unless you find that you need after using a monopod without


I use a small head with mine mainly for tilt ablity, and most pro level monopods have the larger stud for heads, won't fit into body and some lens feet.


in my experience the screw flips or its the manfrotto double thingy, like i said some people like em. a tilt head i see the merit of but a ball head just seems bulky to me personally

ishootsports3 wrote:
90 5.0 wrote:
ishootsports3 wrote:
i know some people use heads, but i would advise against it unless you find that you need after using a monopod without


I use a small head with mine mainly for tilt ablity, and most pro level monopods have the larger stud for heads, won't fit into body and some lens feet.


in my experience the screw flips or its the manfrotto double thingy, like i said some people like em. a tilt head i see the merit of but a ball head just seems bulky to me personally


giottos and a few other pod brands don't flip, unless i'm retarded and havent figured out how to flip mine.

90 5.0 wrote:

giottos and a few other pod brands don't flip, unless i'm retarded and havent figured out how to flip mine.



that may be, i think you can buy one that does but not sure