[Leica] Monopod heads

[kenlass at gate.net (Ken Lassiter)]

I'd like to weigh in on what works best on top of a monopod, 
particularly with a heavy lens on top.

I use a Bogen monopod I have had for years with a 3229 swivel tilt head 
with a QR.  This heads rocks on a single axis to make pointing the 
camera and lens up or down at an angle up to almost 90 degrees. It takes 
no time to loosen, adjust and tighten one axis to zero in on a subject 
or composition.  It is better than a ball head because it adjusts only 
one angle.  If one needs to adjust horizontally, one does not need a 
ball head. Just twist the monopod!  Some have written that you can lean 
the monopod to get vertical movement. This is true for small vertical 
adjustments but not very practical when you need to point upward 30 
degrees to photograph a small animal or bird!

The Bogen head also accepts the QR rotated 90 degrees so it is possible 
to turn a camera vertical but remounting the plate on the head and 
rotating 90 degrees.  This is handy when a monopod is being used when 
the lens is short or does not have a rotating ring for verticals.

I have never had anyone who tried a monopod head like the Bogen 3229 say 
that it was not a big improvement over a ball head or no head.

Here is a photo of this head:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5491-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_3229_3229_Swivel_Tilt_Head.html

There are others out there and I recommend monopod users try one.  
You'll thank me.

Ken Lassiter, Boynton Beach, FL