Monopod heads for football?

[sbluems]

I recently purchased an f2.8 70-200mm lens for shooting football. I have my eye on a couple of monopods, one a Manfrotto, the other a Vanguard (it is getting great reviews). I'm a little confused as far as whether or not I'll nee a head, and if I do, which type would be best for this application. Are there any Footballers out there?

[Mark1616]

For all my sports work I just use a very basic monopod that I've had for years, it's a velbon something or other and has no head. I've never shot with a head on a monopod so can't say if I would want to but I've not found any limitation with a fixed monopod. I use it for up to my 300mm f2.8 with 1.4x TC (sometimes a 2x TC but rarely as that is birds in flight and I like to be free).

[pbjunkiee]

I have a manfrotto 560-b and do not regret it, i do though adore it, it fits the 70-200 perfect, folds easy, is a nice stable base, and really easy panning.

Hope it helps,
Jeff

[sbluems]

Great! I guess I'll try it with just the monopod.

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by sbluems

Great! I guess I'll try it with just the monopod.

Yeah. The only reason too use a 'head' when shooting sports is for quick release plates. Any rotation can be done using the tripod collar on the lens. So, having a head that isn't locked in place causes too many problems.

In other words, you're on the right path IMO by sticking to just the monopod without the head.

[TCav]

Originally Posted by JohnG

Yeah. The only reason too use a 'head' when shooting sports is for quick release plates. ...

I've got a Manfrotto quick release plate on my Manfrotto monopod without a head.

A head is for controlling azimuth and elevation. When shooting sports, everything you want to shoot is on the ground, so you don't need to adjust elevation, and with a monopod, you don't need a head to adjust azimuth.