Help on selecting a Monopod

[trublubiker]

Hi all

I'm thinking about getting a monopod and wondered what I need to consider.

I have a heavy tripod with a Manfrotto 141RC head and I'm quite pleased with it, except when moveing
around. With the head attached it weighs about 3Kg and is awkward to carry unless I dismantle it and
put it in the carry bag.

The tripod and 3 way head has constraints when shooting wildlife, particularly birds, because by the time
I've loosened everything up the subject has gone.

OK, I'm 67 and the hands aren't as steady as they used to be, plus I'm almost fanatical about sharp focus.
I was thinking I'd need something around my own height, 1820mm (6' for others of my vintage) plus a Ball Head
as I feel that I would need this length and the flexibility of the Ball Head, particularly when shooting above my head.

Any suggestion greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Kevin PS: My K20D and 300 f4 Prime weigh almost 3Kg

[DebT]

Hi Kevin,
I have a Mamonfrotto 4 section (so it is tall enough for my 6'4 hubby also), I added a quick release ball head and bought an extra camera mount attachment so I can leave one on my camera and the other on my tele lense (so I don't need to change it ) . I take it nearly everywhere to support 40 D with battery grip when using either tele lense (300, or 70-200), or when doing sport so I can sit in my chair with camera at the ready. I have also taken it inside the art gallery & museum (where tripods are frowned upon) so i could use a slower stop without flash and I'm convinced the added support is giving me crisper pictures. I also prop the base up against something or my fooot on occassion to make it even more stable.
I did consider a pistol grip because they are easy to extend but received lots of comments that they loosened over time and cause problems ...so went for the clip type ...still not convinced this was the right choice as it does annoy me extending and closing it when I move around a lot ie at the zoo - so recommend you try both types.
Folded length is another thing worth looking at as mine is quite long and doesn't fit into my day pack so I added a shoulder strap and a velcro srtip to make it easy to carry or tie on my bag - but generally I leave it on my camera when I am out and about and just support/balance the camera over my shoulder .
Would recommend asking Santa for one
Deb T

[Glen]

Kevin, I would consider the Manfrotto 234 two way knuckle, cheap as chips, about $30-35, and I find it better than a ballhead as it only flexes in one plane and you move the monopod for more.

I reckon a 6ft monopod is overkill, 5ft + 234 + k20D is probably about eye height. The bigger fatter monopods are more stable, but heavier to carry.

link to look at a 234:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 ... nopod.html

[gstark]

I reckon a 6ft monopod is overkill, 5ft + 234 + k20D is probably about eye height.

Kevin,

Glen makes a valid point here. The issue is not the length of the monopod per se, but you want the entire combo to be able to be at your eye-height. So, what is the height of your camera? And what is the height of whatever "head" you place on the pod?

They're important elements that should not be discounted.

But also, don't overlook live view either. You may wish to have a taller 'pod, and use live view to compose and shoot over the heads of members of a crowd.

Do you want the strength of aluminium? or the light weight of CF? We have a very nice Manfrotto that has passed the taxi-door test. Our Feisol CF monopod would have been reduced to just a pile of dust had it endured similar abuse. Both, however, are excellent tools.

As to the head ... our Manny came with a flexible rubber head .. sort of like an engine mount for a car. For a monopod, I think there's nothing better.

And I'll bet you thought that this would be easy.

The bigger fatter monopods are more stable, but heavier to carry.

Is stability, as a concept for monopods, really a concern? Correct use often suggests a small measure of flexibility, so that you may tension the pod between the ground and your head using your leg. I'm not suggesting that "stability" is not an issue: I'm perhaps more likely challenging the concept of how "stability" needs to be defined within the context of a monopod.

[robert]

My only addition would be to maybe think about a pod that has the (very) little stabiliser legs. These allow the pod to free stand (if youre game!) or at least a bit more stabilisation. I have no monopod experience but wouldnt mind this feature in a push. It would at least allow you to go longer than 1/30s if say on a bush walk and want a shot of a shaded stream etc.
see
http://www.photo-shop-studio.com/eng/it ... DSeries%27

I dont see the need for alot of movement in a head, a small ball would prob be good. For ultralite hiking I got the giotto's MH1303-210C from DD for $40. Goes great in landscape mode but with the camera in protrait mode (ie on its side) you really have to crank the knob tight. Very light at 170g.

[aim54x]

I personally use a Manfrotto 680 B (B for black and not the 'standard' silver - that is pretty hard to find) with the 234 RC2 head that Glen mentioned, the Manfrotto 681 is taller. These are both aluminum monopods that would most likely pass Gary's famous taxi door test.

[trublubiker]

Thank you all for your very informative comments.

Deb T, thanks for the tips on general usage. Do you mean that you leave your camera + 300mm lens on the monopod
and carry it around like that over your shoulder?

Glen, I did some measurements based on a 5' monopod plus head and camera and you were spot on.
That head is a great idea, as you said I really only need vertical adjustment although I will probably
go for the one with the Q/R plate for ease of use.

Gary, you raised a good point about using 'Live View' and I think Glen''s idea of the height will do the trick.

Robert, good suggestion re the stabilisers but I'm wondering would they be of use in the scrub or on uneven ground.

So, at this stage it looks like a Manfrotto 679B + 234RC head.

I would like to thank you all again for your help. This forum and others like it are an invaluable aid for folk like myself who live in small country towns with your nearest dedicated camera store a 200k round trip away.

Cheers

Kevin PS: aim54x SNAP!!!!

[aim54x]

Thank you all for your very informative comments.

Deb T, thanks for the tips on general usage. Do you mean that you leave your camera + 300mm lens on the monopod
and carry it around like that over your shoulder?

So, at this stage it looks like a Manfrotto 679B + 234RC head.

I would like to thank you all again for your help. This forum and others like it are an invaluable aid for folk like myself who live in small country towns with your nearest dedicated camera store a 200k round trip away.

Cheers

Kevin PS: aim54x SNAP!!!!

It is rather funny, we all carry our cameras on our monopods between shoots (ever been to the football and seen those togs with their 400/500/600mm lenses thrown over their shoulders with carried by the monopod?) but ironically it is one of the first things Manfrotto says NOT to do!

The 679B + 234RC looks like a good combination!

SHIT that is a long way for a camera shop!

SNAP??

[trublubiker]

 PS: aim54x SNAP!!!!

It's a saying when two people come up with the same thing although I noticed the difference between the 679B and the 680B seems to be a smaller folded length, 4 section legs and stronger build.

Do you think the 679B is OK, I'm easy on my gear and they both have the same load capacity?

Regards

Kevin

[aim54x]

I noticed the difference between the 679B and the 680B seems to be a smaller folded length, 4 section legs and stronger build.

Do you think the 679B is OK, I'm easy on my gear and they both have the same load capacity?

The 679 uses thinner diameter tubing, it should do the job, I bought the 680 as it was there and it seemed to be more robust to me at the time. From the product comparison page there is however a 230gm penalty and a 7cm height difference between the 679 and the 680, the 681 however has a 200gm penalty but is the same height as the 679. If you luck out then your camera store will have both in stock and you will be able to make an informed choice between them. Otherwise I cant see the 679 being unsuitable.

[Mr Darcy]

My only addition would be to maybe think about a pod that has the (very) little stabiliser legs. These allow the pod to free stand (if youre game!) or at least a bit more stabilisation. I have no monopod experience but wouldnt mind this feature in a push. It would at least allow you to go longer than 1/30s if say on a bush walk and want a shot of a shaded stream etc.
see
http://www.photo-shop-studio.com/eng/it ... DSeries%27

I dont see the need for alot of movement in a head, a small ball would prob be good. For ultralite hiking I got the giotto's MH1303-210C from DD for $40. Goes great in landscape mode but with the camera in protrait mode (ie on its side) you really have to crank the knob tight. Very light at 170g.

I have that monopod and find its great with the Manfrotto 234 head. With a monopod you swivel the whole thing to rotate, so you only need a device to adjust up/down. The mini legs are handy, but not for a DSLR. I often use them as a flash support, and I recently used them on a camping trip when another camper wanted a group photo. he had a PHD that would not sit stably on the nearby log. MY tripod has a quick release on it, so that was no go. but the monopod did the job (just) after I removed its quick release to expose the screw.

One thing with the height. To get the system stable, I often use the Mono slanted at an angle. MY body and the mono effectively becomes a tripod. When used like this the extra reach is useful as the camera can remain at eye level.

[ATJ]

I have the Manfrotto 681B with the 234RC head and I use it for almost all my above water macro shots. The only time I don't use it is when the subject is too close the ground, or it is moving too quickly. I will even use it sometimes for subjects closer to the ground than the monopod collapses to, by just using at an angle - I figure some stability is better than none.

While I agree the 234RC head, which only rotates through one plane, is all you need most of the time, there are times where I want to shoot with the camera at 90º but also need to shoot slightly up or down. I will get myself an L plate one day which would solve this problem.

[mickeyjuice]

It is rather funny, we all carry our cameras on our monopods between shoots (ever been to the football and seen those togs with their 400/500/600mm lenses thrown over their shoulders with carried by the monopod?)

Yep, do that ALL the time