Feisol

[Glen]

Birddy, your Gitzo 1588 could support me sitting on top of it! Not very comfortable though. No comparison between the Gitzo and the Feisol, but then no comparison in price. The Gitzo is 3 times the price but is 3 times better for sure. One thing, the Feisol is so small and light no reason not to take it. Did Leek break his?

[W00DY]

All they're heavy when you have the head with it, nothing light! how light do you want? light as cotton?

Light enough to carry around when walking 22km through the mountains at least...

Hey, where are your pano shots up in the Gold Coast which you said before you left? Love to see them with your way doing in handheld

Didn't take any... I do have an old tripod (dad's old one) but I didn't take it with me as it is too big and heavy to take on the plane.

[W00DY]

The Feisol monopod is Ok cos it's less than AU$100, leek, one of our member broke it in the try, I think it's worth with AU$100.00, but if I didn't have any monopod, I still don't buy it, I'll buy the G1588 cos I knew I'm going for the big gun.

Yeah but that's you

I don't need to spend that much on a monopod.

W00DY

[birddog114]

The Feisol monopod is Ok cos it's less than AU$100, leek, one of our member broke it in the try, I think it's worth with AU$100.00, but if I didn't have any monopod, I still don't buy it, I'll buy the G1588 cos I knew I'm going for the big gun.

Yeah but that's you

I don't need to spend that much on a monopod.

W00DY

Then get the Feisol for each trip.

[birddog114]

Birddy, your Gitzo 1588 could support me sitting on top of it! Not very comfortable though. No comparison between the Gitzo and the Feisol, but then no comparison in price. The Gitzo is 3 times the price but is 3 times better for sure. One thing, the Feisol is so small and light no reason not to take it. Did Leek break his?

Yes he did, he told us at the meet last week!

[leek]

one of our member broke it in the try

Just to clarify...
My Feisol Monopod is still perfectly useable. I did something rather silly which was to try dismantling it into it's component parts.
When I put it back together I managed to break one of the internal washers... It still went back together though and still works...

Absolutely no complaints... In my view it's perfectly suitable for all but Birddog's 200-400...

With regard to a head though... It might be nice to be able to fit some sort of head / bracket so that you can use the camera in portrait orientation on the monopod...

[birddog114]

one of our member broke it in the try

Just to clarify...
My Feisol Monopod is still perfectly useable. I did something rather silly which was to try dismantling it into it's component parts.
When I put it back together I managed to break one of the internal washers... It still went back together though and still works...

Absolutely no complaints... In my view it's perfectly suitable for all but Birddog's 200-400...

With regard to a head though... It might be nice to be able to fit some sort of head / bracket so that you can use the camera in portrait orientation on the monopod...

Yes, you're right, adding head and L bracket on top of the monopod is a requirement for a deep pocket, the monopod is less than AU$ 100, the L bracket and head will be over AU$600.00

[Glen]

Leek, sorry to hear that you broke yours. I thought you might have tried the taxi door test Gary has apparently tried before

[leek]

Yes, you're right, adding head and L bracket on top of the monopod is a requirement for a deep pocket, the monopod is less than AU$ 100, the L bracket and head will be over AU$600.00

Hmmm... might have to come up with my own design then... an L bracket can't be that hard to make...

[mchampio]

I bought the Feisol Monopod a few weeks ago, and mounted a Manfrotto 234 Head.
This gives me a very light monopod with the ability to quickly switch from vertical to horizontal format.

For $125 all up, I think it is good value.

I have used it with with an old (heavy) 70-210 lens at full stretch to photograph sports, and find it very stable.

[Glen]

John, I was going to try that but have a look at the RRS L bracket, Birddog has one and I do plus a few others, outrageously priced, but well made and light enough to leave on as protection. Try one at the next meet.

here is the link http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/body_pl ... index.html

[W00DY]

I think I will be happy with the monopod (it seems to please all but Birdy )

And of course I won't need to purchase a head for it either

W00DY

[birddog114]

I think I will be happy with the monopod (it seems to please all but Birdy )

And of course I won't need to purchase a head for it either

W00DY

Your luck

[W00DY]

How many people on the forum have the feisol monopod and how many have broken their's???

Apart from taking it apart by themselves of course

W00DY

[birddog114]

How many people on the forum have the feisol monopod and how many have broken their's???

Apart from taking it apart by themselves of course

W00DY

Negative! but instead of Feisol you can go for something better and cheap, solid as Manfrotto.

[W00DY]

How many people on the forum have the feisol monopod and how many have broken their's???

Apart from taking it apart by themselves of course

W00DY

Negative! but instead of Feisol you can go for something better and cheap, solid as Manfrotto.

I thought the Manfrotto's were heavier and more expensive???

Or was that just the tripods???

Are the Manfrotto Monopods cheaper than the Feisol???

[birddog114]

How many people on the forum have the feisol monopod and how many have broken their's???

Apart from taking it apart by themselves of course

W00DY

Negative! but instead of Feisol you can go for something better and cheap, solid as Manfrotto.

I thought the Manfrotto's were heavier and more expensive???

Or was that just the tripods???

Are the Manfrotto Monopods cheaper than the Feisol???

How do you define heavy and light with monopod? and how light do you want?
Price, check at Vanbar store

[W00DY]

Well looking at the Manfrotto 680B the weight is 0.8kg and price about $100.00

So it is a little heavier (but not enough to actually tell a difference).

Is there a difference in quality between Carbon Fiber and Aluminium?

Thanks for all your advice on this Birdy & others... It can all get very confusing.

W00DY

[birddog114]

Well looking at the Manfrotto 680B the weight is 0.8kg and price about $100.00

So it is a little heavier (but not enough to actually tell a difference).

Is there a difference in quality between Carbon Fiber and Aluminium?

Thanks for all your advice on this Birdy & others... It can all get very confusing.

W00DY

Woody,
Now you know what I meant! I saw a Feisol, tried them and compare to the Manfrotto 680B, The Aluminium is mile stronger and sturdy than the Feisol. the Feisol comes with a thin wall of carbon fibre in the other side the Manfrotto 680B has a thick wall of aluminium. The weight between them is unnoticed.
I'm not asking everyone has to buy or come in with the Gitzo, but please look again in other product instead of., to learn what suit you. Nothing wrong with the Feisol but look at its build I rather go with something else if not the Gitzo 1588.

[W00DY]

Woody,
Now you know what I meant! I saw a Feisol, tried them and compare to the Manfrotto 680B, The Aluminium is mile stronger and sturdy than the Feisol. the Feisol comes with a thin wall of carbon fibre in the other side the Manfrotto 680B has a thick wall of aluminium. The weight between them is unnoticed.
I'm not asking everyone has to buy or come in with the Gitzo, but please look again in other product instead of., to learn what suit you. Nothing wrong with the Feisol but look at its build I rather go with something else if not the Gitzo 1588.

Sorry, I initially thought that the Manfrotto was much more expensive. The weight difference is not even an issue as it is less than 0.5kg.

Birdy do you have a 680B which I can check out at a mini meet???

W00DY

[birddog114]

Woody,
Now you know what I meant! I saw a Feisol, tried them and compare to the Manfrotto 680B, The Aluminium is mile stronger and sturdy than the Feisol. the Feisol comes with a thin wall of carbon fibre in the other side the Manfrotto 680B has a thick wall of aluminium. The weight between them is unnoticed.
I'm not asking everyone has to buy or come in with the Gitzo, but please look again in other product instead of., to learn what suit you. Nothing wrong with the Feisol but look at its build I rather go with something else if not the Gitzo 1588.

Sorry, I initially thought that the Manfrotto was much more expensive. The weight difference is not even an issue as it is less than 0.5kg.

Birdy do you have a 680B which I can check out at a mini meet???

W00DY

No I don't have the 680B, but one of our member has, I could remember who's and I tried it same as tried at Vanbar store last year before I got my G1588.

[W00DY]

I tried it same as tried at Vanbar store last year before I got my G1588.

What did you think?

Please don't compare it to the G1588 becouse I am NOT buying that

W00DY

[birddog114]

Ok here the spec of both:
SPECIFICATIONS:
Feisol US$60.00 + US$20.00 = US$80.00 = AU$105.00
Max Height : 167cm or 65.7 inches
Closed Length : 53cm or 20.9 inches
Weight : 0.36Kg or 0.79lbs
Max Load : 7Kg or 15.4 lbs
Tube Diameter : 28mm or 1.1 inches
Leg Sections : 4

Man 680B Vanbar price AU$101.20
Maximum Height 154 cm (60.6 inches)
Minimum Height 51 cm (20 inches)
Leg Sections 4
Foot Type Rubber
Maximum Load Capacity 22 Ibs
Weight 0.8 kg (1.8 lbs )

Of course the Man 680B is double solid and sturdy than the Feisol, price is closely matched

[W00DY]

Yeah but did you like the "feel" of the 680B?

[birddog114]

I tried it same as tried at Vanbar store last year before I got my G1588.

What did you think?

Please don't compare it to the G1588 becouse I am NOT buying that

W00DY

No and never I ask you to get the G1588 cos I knew you won't, but you were keen on the Feisol and I didn't see the Feisol is good enough for me, what I said is I rather buy the Man 680B not the Feisol but I did not buy any of them, I finally settled on the G1588, cos I knew I'm going to get a big gun and you're not.
Even with the big gun 200-400VR sits comfy and solid on the 680B than the Feisol.

[stubbsy]

Woody

I have a Manfrotto 679B (64-162 cm vs 51-154 cm for the 680B). If you want to look at it I'll have it at the next meet (12/2). I find it great to use and weight is NOT an issue (0.6kg vs 0.8kg for 680B)

I chose the 679B because it was slightly lighter and taller and 3 rather than 4 leg sections. Plus its $25 cheaper! ($86 vs $111)

[birddog114]

Woody

I have a Manfrotto 679B (64-162 cm vs 51-154 cm for the 680B). If you want to look at it I'll have it at the next meet (12/2). I find it great to use and weight is NOT an issue.

I chose the 679B because it was slightly taller and 3 rather than 4 leg sections. Plus its $30 cheaper! ($81 not vs $111)

Yes, the 679B is also a great tripod too, far better than the Feisol, if you think the Gitzo CF monopod is too much with your pocket, settle with the manfrotto as the second choice.

[W00DY]

Woody

I have a Manfrotto 679B (64-162 cm vs 51-154 cm for the 680B). If you want to look at it I'll have it at the next meet (12/2). I find it great to use and weight is NOT an issue (0.6kg vs 0.8kg for 680B)

I chose the 679B because it was slightly lighter and taller and 3 rather than 4 leg sections. Plus its $25 cheaper! ($86 vs $111)

Thanks for the offer Stubbsy...

I won't be at the meet on the 12th (I'm on call for work and also need to paint our front door) so won't be able to check it out

I am still deciding if I woudl be better getting a tripod over a monopod, I know some people will say get both, but that's not an option.

I see myself using a monopod more but MHD pointed out some good oportunities I might miss only having a mono and not a tripod (slow water shots etc...)

Oh well, I guess I will take a trip to Vanbar one weekend (there in sydney aren't they?) and try some out, see what I prefer using...

W00DY

[stubbsy]

Woody

Come to the Shortland Wetlands meet in Newcastle on 19th and try it out then

I've decided to forgo a tripod and use VR (24-120 + 70-200 + TC 1.7) instead. Gives me more manoeuverability and no legs to lug around other than the monopod

[birddog114]

Woody

I have a Manfrotto 679B (64-162 cm vs 51-154 cm for the 680B). If you want to look at it I'll have it at the next meet (12/2). I find it great to use and weight is NOT an issue (0.6kg vs 0.8kg for 680B)

I chose the 679B because it was slightly lighter and taller and 3 rather than 4 leg sections. Plus its $25 cheaper! ($86 vs $111)

Thanks for the offer Stubbsy...

I won't be at the meet on the 12th (I'm on call for work and also need to paint our front door) so won't be able to check it out

I am still deciding if I woudl be better getting a tripod over a monopod, I know some people will say get both, but that's not an option.

I see myself using a monopod more but MHD pointed out some good oportunities I might miss only having a mono and not a tripod (slow water shots etc...)

Oh well, I guess I will take a trip to Vanbar one weekend (there in sydney aren't they?) and try some out, see what I prefer using...

W00DY

Woody,
I knew you from the start! Gitzo, Feisol, Manfrotto, all failed now come back to the tripod and start all over
Vanbar is in Camperdowm
Unit 2, 1 Gordon Street, camperdown

[W00DY]

Woody

Come to the Shortland Wetlands meet in Newcastle on 19th and try it out then

I've decided to forgo a tripod and use VR (24-120 + 70-200 + TC 1.7) instead. Gives me more manoeuverability and no legs to lug around other than the monopod

I might be able to make the wetlands meet, but don't hold your breath I have a pretty packed schedule come March so I am making up for the time away durign Feb

I also have the 24-120VR and have thought the same thing about not using a tripod. I would certainly get more use out of a mono but for those really long exposures you do need a tripod, but I guess I can try and find something to lean the camera on instead.

[birddog114]

Woody

Come to the Shortland Wetlands meet in Newcastle on 19th and try it out then

I've decided to forgo a tripod and use VR (24-120 + 70-200 + TC 1.7) instead. Gives me more manoeuverability and no legs to lug around other than the monopod

I might be able to make the wetlands meet, but don't hold your breath I have a pretty packed schedule come March so I am making up for the time away durign Feb

I also have the 24-120VR and have thought the same thing about not using a tripod. I would certainly get more use out of a mono but for those really long exposures you do need a tripod, but I guess I can try and find something to lean the camera on instead.

Wetlands meet, you need a good zoom and fast!

[W00DY]

Woody,
I knew you from the start! Gitzo, Feisol, Manfrotto, all failed now come back to the tripod nad start all over
Vanbar is in Camperdowm
Unit 2, 1 Gordon Street, camperdown

I know, I am the worst at making these decisions

Thanks for the address, I will check them out maybe this weekend if I get the painting done.

[birddog114]

Woody,
You haven't show us your pano shooting by handholding techniques once you were up the Gold Coast, very interesting to see the outcome.

Yes and March will be holding Pano workshop too

[W00DY]

Wetlands meet, you need a good zoom and fast!

Nah, you just need a camera and a good eye, I think it was MattK that pointed out there are photos to be taken everywhere.

You don't need to focus on one single subject. I could take photos of the actual wetlands rather than the wildlife.

[W00DY]

Woody,
You haven't show us your pano shooting by handholding techniques once you were up the Gold Coast, very interesting to see the outcome.

Yes and March will be holding Pano workshop too

See previous post... I didn't take any Pano's while away.

I'm waiting for the workshop so that my first pano will be a winner

[birddog114]

Woody,
You haven't show us your pano shooting by handholding techniques once you were up the Gold Coast, very interesting to see the outcome.

Yes and March will be holding Pano workshop too

See previous post... I didn't take any Pano's while away.

I'm waiting for the workshop so that my first pano will be a winner

The workshop will be in March definitely!

[W00DY]

The workshop will be in March definitely!

I'm being selfish but make it for the end of March becouse the first 3 weekends are totally booked for me.

[birddog114]

The workshop will be in March definitely!

I'm being selfish but make it for the end of March becouse the first 3 weekends are totally booked for me.

Early or mid March is what we planned for

[stubbsy]

Sorry to interject, but this is like watching a ping pong match

Pano workshop interests me too. Hope I don't need a tripod to gain admission

[birddog114]

Sorry to interject, but this is like watching a ping pong match

Pano workshop interests me too. Hope I don't need a tripod to gain admission

I don't know, Tripod is more recommended

[W00DY]

Sorry to interject, but this is like watching a ping pong match

Yeah we sort of went off topic a few times... whoops

W00DY

[stubbsy]

I don't know, Tripod is more recommended

I've got one a friend gave me that je got in bali in the 70's when he bought an old film camera. Will that do?

Yeah we sort of went off topic a few times... whoops
W00DY

Nothing wrong with that. I reckon you'd be hard pressed to find a 2+ page thread that DIDN'T go off topic along the way.

[Onyx]

Woody, consider the self standing monopod - I kid you not. It might be a workable compromise for you if you're indecisive between a tripod and monopod. Available as an optional accessory to the 680/681B, or as a separate model I think 682B.

The following pics might be of interest to you. I took these pics comparing Killakoala's 680B and my then new 681B. Been meaning to find a reason to post them, so here it is:

Retracted -


Fully Extended -


Gallery for bigger pics

The two models are close siblings, only diff is one has 3 sections the other 4. The 679B is slightly thinner, shorter and correspondingly less heavy. In the highly scientific and infalliable one 'pod in each hand measurement, they each weigh about the same as the carbon fibre Gitzo 1588.

[Mj]

Woody... I have a feisol tripod and also the manfrotto 680B monopod.
Happy to show you some time if you like... thinking your not too far from my place so perhaps you could pop around to check them out (note you might have to have a high tolerance to brick dust etc though

A quick view from me on these products...

I think the feisol monopod is quite nice for the price and for anything less than the 200-400 etc would do the job ok at a really light weight (great for hiking etc). The manfrotto 680B is possibly going to last longer with it's simple clip mechanism and I like it cause it's diameter makes it nice to hold. It is noticably heavier but I don't tend to lung gear very far as a rule so not a big concern for me. With any mono I suggest getting at least a cheap swivel type head so you can angle up and down when you need to (and practise has shown me that you do need to). The 234 is about $30AUD that seems to do the trick.

I also have the feisol tripod. Good points of this product is that it is light being CF and is easy to setup and adjust. On the down side, it is not as solid as a Gitzo and is probably going to be more prone to vibration (but then so are many others). I quite like the overall design, but at this point am not certain that I will want to keep it... intend to have some further play with it first before making a final decision. Really comes down three options: saving money and accepting something not quite Rolls Royce (Gitzo); saving longer and getting a Rolls (Gitzo); or forgetting tripods as an option for now and not bother with that style of photography.

Michael.

[birddog114]

I think the feisol monopod is quite nice for the price and for anything less than the 200-400 etc would do the job ok at a really light weight (great for hiking etc). The manfrotto 680B is possibly going to last longer with it's simple clip mechanism and I like it cause it's diameter makes it nice to hold.
I also have the feisol tripod. Good points of this product is that it is light being CF and is easy to setup and adjust. On the down side, it is not as solid as a Gitzo and is probably going to be more prone to vibration (but then so are many others). I quite like the overall design, but at this point am not certain that I will want to keep it... intend to have some further play with it first before making a final decision. Really comes down three options: saving money and accepting something not quite Rolls Royce (Gitzo); saving longer and getting a Rolls (Gitzo); or forgetting tripods as an option for now and not bother with that style of photography.

Michael.

MJ + Woody,
The Man. will beat the Feisol in life easier, the Man. will holding the 200-400VR in better way than the Feisol, the problems of all the Feisol legs are the thickness of the tube is very thin in carbon fibre. In carbon fibre, you need the thickness, lack of it, then will be useless with the long term not only with the 200-400VR but in daily use with your kit lens, once it's new, you won't notice but after a few months with many uses of it, you'll see its degraded. The more thickness of the tube make all the legs sturdy, solid and last in whatever form of carbon fibre or aluminium.

The design of the Feisol tripod is cheaper than the Manforrto 055B, the Man 055B is heavy than the Feisol legs, of course because it's aluminium and other is CF, if money is an object, get the Man. 055B and be a happy camper.

P.S: The Feisol tripod is not even solid and sturdy as the Man 190.