LOL - yup down is best. I admit, there's been a time or two I've forgotten that rule and ended up with rain on the glass.

I did exactly the same today :-)

So... what RRS clamp did you get ? The RRS PC-LR panning clamp ?

@@71Enno So... what RRS clamp did you get ? The RRS PC-LR panning clamp ?

@@alanalain4884 Hi, I am using the B2-LLR II 60mm on my GITZO Monopod and on my "big" tripods from SIRUI and FLM I am using the B2-LLR II 80mm. Best regards, Enno

@@71Enno Thank you Enno for your reply. Great...

Ken Konard I’m fortunate to have learned that trick back in 2011 and find it an excellent way of stability!

LOL - I get that a lot!!

Yeah, me too. I’ve been using a ball head with plate tilted 90 degrees on both my tripod and monopod. The ball head also has a separate friction knob. Works really well.

You'll love it. I use mine all the time - in fact, I use my monopod more now than ever before because of it.

Thx, needed to hear that, this looks very interesting

I too am not the biggest fan of side-mount systems, but after hiking with this over the last month, I'm far more confident now.

I know this is an old comment, but I have a 200-500 as well. Does it need a lens plate to properly attach to the wimberly or can it attach straight on?

​@@evanabboud5068 You need an AS adapter/plate on the 200-500 or replace the foot/collar with a 3rd party (what I did). It baffles me that Nikon and other manufacturers continue to make new lenses with non-AS compatible lens feet.

Thank you!

Uu

LOL thanks :)

There's no real good solution as far as I know for the side-mount head like the MH-100. They really are made with collared lenses in mind.

Yup, that's a good way to verify you like the setup.

There's no panning base - that's just a quick release so I can attach other heads to the monopod if I want (I've since removed it since I only use the mono gimbal head). Left to right movement on a monopod comes from twisting the monopod.

I have thought about that - and I may just do it. I too am a bit paranoid. I'm more worried about a mistake on my end (i.e. not attaching properly or something), rather than the gear failing, but I think a teacher is a good idea.

Yes - it's a good collar. However, I like the 3rd party collars because of the built-in dovetail.

Same question!

Depends a bit on the shutter speed (you don't need it at higher speeds, say above 1/500th), but yes, otherwise use VR.

Steve Perry Thanks for getting back to me. I appreciate it.

Adding a bit of weight is about the only solution. I think you can get a battery grip for that camera. I've also added weight before with a 1/4" bolt and some washers (really).

@@backcountrygallery Thanks!

Sadly, there's no good answer here - I try to balance it towards the focal length I think I'll use the most. Same problem with any zoom that extends.

It's the 60mm clamp :)

@@backcountrygallery Is the 80 mm working as well, because I ordered the 80mm? Thanks a lot for a feedback

@@71Enno It should be fine - I've not used it though.

Steve Perry Thank's a lot for your quick response and greetings from Germany

The large Kirk clamp also works well. I prefer screw attachments over clamps, because clamps can wear down over time.

I have a podcast coming out Tuesday that address this exact topic. :) You should be 100% fine with a monopod + VR since it's not nearly as stable as a tripod. I've used it with good success. However, I also know that the 200-500 doesn't like faster shutter speeds + VR either, you need to keep it under 1/500th or you can have problems. There's also a number of other things that may hav been causing the blur too (heat distortion, for example, is a common culprit). Hope that helps :)

@@backcountrygallery thank you for your reply. I wasn't aware of the 200-500mm Nikkor lens limitations of VR past 1/500th. For birding, that is not an option for shutter speed. I've been using 1/2500th - 1/4000th with VR on! The eyes are never as sharp as I want them. I performed the lens calibration and that helped but it's still not as crisp as I've seen other people capture. I've purchased a few tips and tricks videos from you. I'll take another look through your videos, I'm sure I've missed a lot of good pointers. I'll look forward to your podcast! Thanks for the inspiring videos and for taking the time to keep us beginners informed and educated. Simon

@@backcountrygallery I have noticed no issues with my 200-500 and VR at 1/500th or higher--the range I shoot at 90% of the time for action. Now ground heat shimmer? That lens is REAL susceptible, unlike my long primes.

​@@jimbailey1122 It's tricky, because VR performance is also body dependent too - the mass of the camera body can sometimes make a difference. There are also different perceptions of what's sharp enough and what's not. That's why it's tough to put out any guidelines, even situation is different. (I do agree on the heat haze with that lens, not sure why it's like that, shouldn't make a difference, but it does)

The truth is, no matter how great the monopod is, under the same conditions you'll generally get a higher keeper rate with the tripod (assuming slower shutter speeds of course). Tripods are also nice since you don't have to hang onto them the entire time. I tend to use tripods most of the time and monopods when I need to change height quickly or I need a lighter system. Although, after deliberately using this for all my shoots over the last few weeks, I think I my monopod use may go up a bit - it's faster in the field to be sure.

I would (air) travel with this combo over my S4 Gitzo and WH-200 II combo any day of the week.

I don'r know for sure but it doesn't seem like it would work. I agree, I'm not so sure about a side-mount in that scenario.

@@backcountrygallery appreciate the reply! I’m a new convert to Nikon and your z9 book has been an invaluable resource. Thanks for making it!

@@heymikeriley Thanks so much!

It's still less than idea since you lose the rotational element. I'd hate to have this mounted on a tripod and need to track a bird from left to right :)

It is terrifying at first!!

Sadly, yes. You need to balance the lens at the focal length you think you'll use most of the time and just live with the unbalanced focal lengths.

@@backcountrygallery Thanks.. and I guess I figured that. It is nice to be able to start with a wide FOV, find the subject in the viewfinder, then zoom in to shoot.

I find that if you balance the 200-500 at about the physical mid-range, at about 350mm, and then give it just a slight tad more tension of the big wheel, you are fine from end to end. The snag I have with that lens is as Steve alluded to. The RRS lens foot replacement is very close to the body, and that make the horizontal shoot with camera on the left virtually impossible, so as Steve said, I have had to swing it around to the right side, as he demos. A little mental practice and adjustment and you will get used to it. The other issue I find is that when you use a lens without a foot, like a 24-70, there is no way to achieve balance,. I am looking at putting an RRS multi purpose rail or nodal sllde on, to be able to make that balance adjustment by sliding the entire camera and lens back and forth.

@@paullesage3146 - Thanks for that insight Paul! I'm still using the original Nikon collar, and while not great, I'm ok with it.

It doesn't work well on a tripod - the camera and lens are too close to the legs. Great on a monopod though - I still use it and don't see that changing.

I just ordered the WGH to mount my 500pf with rrs foot and z9. So identical setup. Have you been able to work with this combo? Any suggestions?

It's a pricy one, Gitzo GM4552L Series 4 Carbon Fiber Monopod

Ok yes Glitzo is very pricey but the very best you get what you pay for that's for sure. Well thanks for the reply and information. Kind regards Roy.