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Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

Fred Amico
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

Another vote for the Wimberley MH-100

May 24, 2023 at 02:24 PM

Choderboy
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

Choderboy wrote:
The Wimberley. 1 disadvantage: with other heads sometimes I just pick up everything to take a shot, ie camera and monopod. Doing this with the Wimberley is the only time the offset design is a problem.
So I just don't do that anymore and enjoy every other benefit.
It's not just great for taking photos. Also great for carrying. It's like having a big round soft foot on the lens. I carry like that in rough terrain. For easier going it rests on my shoulder. Very comfortable. I can very confidently use both hands for other things with it on...Show more →

'Rough Terrain Carry'
I tighten the Gimbal Knob a little so the cam/lens does not rotate and get hit by my knee when walking.

FX011713_4454cr_Blur_L8 by Choderboy, on Flickr

May 25, 2023 at 03:17 AM

Choderboy
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

Craig Gillette wrote:
Inartfully put. One only "needs" one hand. It's generally a 2 hands someplace approach although you can swap them around. Obviously if you let go with both it topples which won't happen with a tripod

I'll try to be a little more artful:

You said "With both styles, you'll need one hand on the monopod and one guiding the camera movements."

That is what I was disagreeing with. I use it most with one hand on the lens and one hand on the camera. ie, no hand on the monopod.

May 25, 2023 at 03:24 AM

jeffbuzz
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

EverLearning wrote:
Rather than muddying another thread I have going, I will isolate this question in a new thread.

I am looking at using a monopod for some types of wildlife shooting with my Canon R5. In this configuration I would want to use a monopod gimbal head. I am aware of the Wimberley MH-100 for $179US. Wimberley is a good name and the head is rated for over 100lbs so should be no problem there.

Are there any other monopod heads out there that you feel are worthy of consideration?

Thanks

What lens are you using? That is a key piece of information in deciding what to recommend. The "monogimbal" devices like the Wimberley MH-100 and Leofoto MPG-01 are both great for what I'd call "medium" sized lenses having their own tripod foot like a 70-200, 100-400 or xxx-600 type zoom.

Bigger tele primes like 400 f2.8, 500 or 600mm f4 are a different story. There is considerable torquing load on both the lens and the monopod using these heads. You have to slightly tilt the monopod off vertical to get your center of gravity balanced. Bigger, heavier lens means more tilt. Mounting heavier lenses in these side facing clamps is a challenge because at some point you're holding the entire camera+lens setup with only one hand. Seems like heavier lenses also don't rotate as smoothly in their tripod collars when side loaded.

I like my monogimbal for those otherwise hand hold-able "medium" size lenses when I need to keep it in position for a long time. It is a great stress reliever on the arms. Bigger lenses are usable but I much prefer a top mounting clamp which is easier to mount and balance. 2-way heads are the simplest and lightest. But I don't like that they can flop. While it is not my favorite thing to do, I have used a full gimbal on a monopod. Lock the movements when loading and unloading, That's the only setup that you can truly balance.

May 25, 2023 at 10:51 AM

Bobarino
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

May 25, 2023 at 11:23 AM

Sake13
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

I will cast another vote for the Wimberley MH-100. Like someone else mentioned - save a few bucks and get the "blemished" model. I could not see a single thing wrong with mine.

May 25, 2023 at 02:55 PM

EB-1
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

jeffbuzz wrote:
What lens are you using? That is a key piece of information in deciding what to recommend. The "monogimbal" devices like the Wimberley MH-100 and Leofoto MPG-01 are both great for what I'd call "medium" sized lenses having their own tripod foot like a 70-200, 100-400 or xxx-600 type zoom.

Bigger tele primes like 400 f2.8, 500 or 600mm f4 are a different story. There is considerable torquing load on both the lens and the monopod using these heads. You have to slightly tilt the monopod off vertical to get your center of gravity balanced. Bigger, heavier lens means more tilt....Show more →

I've always wondered about the side tilt angle needed to maintain balance on the Wimberley MH-100. Would you say that a 500/4 +1.4x TC with a monopod on a semi-slippery surface would be better with an RRS MH-01 (fore-aft only monopod) head rather than the MH-100 or vice versa? I'm not in particularly good shape and I normally use a tripod rather than a monopod.

EBH

May 25, 2023 at 05:13 PM

jeffbuzz
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

EB-1 wrote:
I've always wondered about the side tilt angle needed to maintain balance on the Wimberley MH-100. Would you say that a 500/4 +1.4x TC with a monopod on a semi-slippery surface would be better with an RRS MH-01 (fore-aft only monopod) head rather than the MH-100 or vice versa? I'm not in particularly good shape and I normally use a tripod rather than a monopod.

EBH

I used a Sigma 500 f4 on the MH-100 and found it very clumsy. Even with proper fore/aft balancing of the lens, you're fighting to balance the stick itself. I never tried on a slippery or uneven surface but imagine it would be worse. Is it better than hand holding? Yes. Is it as easy as a tripod? No.

2-way tilt heads are even worse for me. You can't balance the lens. You have to hold it 100% of the time to avoid flopping. At least the mongimbals will allow you to take your hands off the lens briefly as long as you keep hold of the stick.

My subjects are usually traveling along the same horizontal plane with limited vertical movement. So directly mounting the lens to the monopod without a head works for me. Obviously that's not an option if you need to track vertical motion. In that case the monogimbals are my next best choice.

Edited on May 26, 2023 at 11:03 AM · View previous versions

May 25, 2023 at 05:54 PM

Craig Gillette
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

Choderboy wrote:
I'll try to be a little more artful:

You said "With both styles, you'll need one hand on the monopod and one guiding the camera movements."

That is what I was disagreeing with. I use it most with one hand on the lens and one hand on the camera. ie, no hand on the monopod.

Inartful on my part. I failed to consider and point out all the possible ways one might hold or not hold their camera gear.

May 25, 2023 at 06:57 PM

Choderboy
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

EB-1 wrote:
I've always wondered about the side tilt angle needed to maintain balance on the Wimberley MH-100. Would you say that a 500/4 +1.4x TC with a monopod on a semi-slippery surface would be better with an RRS MH-01 (fore-aft only monopod) head rather than the MH-100 or vice versa? I'm not in particularly good shape and I normally use a tripod rather than a monopod.

EBH

When the MH-100 was released, there were many people who thought the side tilt issue was a deal breaker.
Call me gullible, but I wondered if it mattered. The fact it is a Wimberley product led me to think that it likely did not matter.
So I ordered one and immediately loved it. No fighting the stick for me. I just use it. I quickly learned to pay no attention to any angle of the stick. I just handhold camera and lens like I'm handholding, except theres no effort fighting gravity. I can't remember which reviewer at release stated "just forget about the side thing, you don't need to think about it". (Or words to that effect). That has proven accurate for me. I use Sigma 500 f4 and Sony 200-600.

When I was using a tilt head, for any subject I was going to spend anytime shooting, I would tighten the head and the tripod collar was only loosened to switch between landscape and vertical orientation. With the MH-100, everything is loose except for when carrying in me 'rough terrain' configuration, as per photo I posted above.

For the money, before using it, it does not seem like good value. After using it, it does.

By reading opinions of users of the MH-100, "by far the best" or similar is a common statement.
So clearly, for those, the 'side thing' is a non issue.
No guaruntee you will be one of the non issue people, but it's a big club.

May 25, 2023 at 08:39 PM

arbitrage
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

I'm going to go against the grain when it comes to the MH-100. I have it and I don't love it...I don't even really like it.
My issue is the side mount putting strain on the lens collar and the weight being off balanced to one side and always having to counteract that weight. I also have the traditional RRS MH-01 and don't really like that style either. Too risky to have it slam forward or backwards, crushing fingers or banging the lens.

My recommendation for a gimbal on monopod is hands down the Jobu Jr 3 (Deluxe or standard). I've used a Jobu HD-4 (their larger gimbal) for years but my friend has had the Jr. 3 and used that even back with 600II and 1DXII weight without issue. I just got a Jr. 3 recently and it is perfect for monopod use. I'm using gripped A1 with 600/4 and it is smooth.

I think it is the smallest and lightest gimbal out there and a very good price...I just picked up a factory 2nd and then thing looks new. I don't see me using my HD-4 anymore and I'll only use the MH-100 if I'm really restrained in packing space/weight on an international trip or something...but even then I'll make every effort to bring the Jr. 3 instead.

Support Canadian business

. http://www.jobu-design.com/product-page/jobu-jr-3-deluxe-kit-factory-2nd-no-bag

As for the monopod...anything will do. Lots of good options out there. I have a Feisol and a Jobu one. I see lots of good options from Leofoto (use Alex's discount code on the Sony board "summer25" for 25% off). Also I checked out a friend's Cobra 2 which is pretty slick with the tripod stand on the bottom so you can leave the monopod standing up and pull the lens off to handhold some flight shots.

Edited on May 28, 2023 at 05:34 AM · View previous versions

May 26, 2023 at 06:19 AM

Dragonfire
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

I like my equipment in line with the monopod and I use an old Jobo Jr because of it's light weight and stiff resistance because of the inferior Delrin bushings Jobo used. The monopod is the only place the head works.

May 26, 2023 at 06:50 AM

nextlife1
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

arbitrage wrote:
I'm going to go against the grain when it comes to the MH-100. I have it and I don't love it...I don't even really like it.
My issue is the side mount putting strain on the lens collar and the weight being off balanced to one side and always having to counteract that weight. I also have the traditional RRS MH-01 and don't really like that style either. Too risky to have it slam forward or backwards, crushing fingers or banging the lens.

My recommendation for a gimbal on monopod is hands down the Jobu Jr 3 (Deluxe or standard). I've used...Show more →

I agree. I used to use the Jobu Jr 3 with monopods but just recently on a 3 week trip to Colombia I decided to try the FlexShooter Pro, mainly for its smaller form factor for travel. I loved it and it will now be my new approach. Not cheap and not that much lighter than the Jobu Jr, but I really like how it works. And I can easily carry it mounted on my monopod or tripod on the side of my backpack, whereas with the gimbal that’s a little unwieldy.

May 26, 2023 at 09:12 AM

TakesRandomPics
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

arbitrage wrote:
Support Canadian business

. https://www.jobu-design.com/product-page/jobu-jr-3-deluxe-kit-factory-2nd-no-bag

For some reason FM doesn't like your link and I get an error page when I click on it

May 26, 2023 at 12:43 PM

EB-1
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

arbitrage wrote:
Support Canadian business

. https://www.jobu-design.com/product-page/jobu-jr-3-deluxe-kit-factory-2nd-no-bag

TakesRandomPics wrote:
For some reason FM doesn't like your link and I get an error page when I click on it

That's the old https redirect bug. You need to copy and past the link directly.

EBH

May 26, 2023 at 02:32 PM

EverLearning
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

Sake13 wrote:
I will cast another vote for the Wimberley MH-100. Like someone else mentioned - save a few bucks and get the "blemished" model. I could not see a single thing wrong with mine.

I looked at that and thought "yeah!". I put it in my basket and then found out that shipping to Canada was about $100CDN!!! Hard pass. I can get an unblemished one in Canada for about $25CDN more and with free shipping.

But thanks for the suggestion. It was great until I tried to have it shipped to a country far far away (apparently Canada must be in another galaxy from the USA).

May 26, 2023 at 04:49 PM

arbitrage
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

nextlife1 wrote:
I agree. I used to use the Jobu Jr 3 with monopods but just recently on a 3 week trip to Colombia I decided to try the FlexShooter Pro, mainly for its smaller form factor for travel. I loved it and it will now be my new approach. Not cheap and not that much lighter than the Jobu Jr, but I really like how it works. And I can easily carry it mounted on my monopod or tripod on the side of my backpack, whereas with the gimbal that’s a little unwieldy.

FlexShooter is the one I haven't tried and I do have some good friends that swear by it. I know Artie Morris swears by it. Someday I will have to try that one....but is expensive. I only use support like 5% of my shooting (or less) so I think the Jr3 will be good for now.

May 26, 2023 at 06:36 PM

elkhornsun
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Recommendations for monopod gimbal heads

All one needs for a monopod is a tilt head as you can rotate the monopod unlike a tripod. The best one I could find is the Sirui L-10 that sells for $100 and has a very smooth tilt and it is easy to adjust the tension for the weight of the camera and lens. It has a 33 lb load capacity and I never have even half that amount of weight.

There are more expensive monopod heads but they do not work any better out in the field.

May 28, 2023 at 04:17 PM

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