Manfrotto 681B Monopod with 234RC Swivel/Tilt Head - Supports 6 lb (2.7kg)

I most use this lens with a Canon 7D body, battery grip, and 400mm f/5.6 lens. The other single review here left me worried that this was a bad combination but it included Manfrotto's only decent monopod head and a good sturdy monopod. So, if this isn't decent, what is? I read reviews on the 681B monopod and the 234RC head separately and it seems the other earlier review of this product must not be very experienced with what this head is designed for. The other review mentions video and fluid heads and such - monopods aren't meant for that. This head swivels in the Y-axis only leaving X-axis panning to the rotation of the monopod. Other reviews of the 234RC alone are good, as are the reviews of the monopod leg.

The Monopod is stout & robust. What else could you ask for? The Head is made well except for the screw you turn to angle the camera up and down. This is the only plastic piece on the head. And it is engineered to break so allowing you to purchase more heads. Out of the box it feels flimsy and as though it wants to break the first time you over tighten it. But if you under tighten it, and you have a heavy Canon 5D with a heavy lens like my 24-70mm, then the head topples over and crushes your fingers. You can however, wedge a drumstick into the head and use it as a video handle. I intend to use the head as if it's not even there, but we'll see. It's nice to keep it loose enough to really rock and tilt the camera/monopod contraption. My intuition tells me one of those ball heads might work the best on the monopod. But I don't know about manipulating those of fluid tracking video shots. Maybe those heads with 3 adjustment screws are the best option. I just hope they aren't made of plastic where you tighten. I may take it to a welder friend and modify it. Other than that, it's small enough to keep as a spare for when I get a better head. Really I should return the head, but I need the monopod for a wedding this weekend. I guess I'll be keeping the head.