Monopods

Need some advice. I am looking for a sturdy monopod. The largest lens I use is a Nikkor 70-200 2.8, sometimes adding the TC-17EII adapter. any suggestions would be appreciated.

Vince

I use a Manfrotto that collapses in three sections. Attach whichever head you find suitable (such as ball or tilt-swivel). There are more expensive ways to go, but I find for occasional use with my D300, 70-200 and sometimes a TC, that works well and isn't too large to fit in my luggage if I want to take it while traveling.
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--Bob

Get an adjustable painters pole (fiberglass and aluminium) drill more holes in the stem for the spring pin, add a suitable head or a 1/4 -20 stud by the way of a hardwood plug driven and screwed into the top of the aluminium this will hold 100 lbs nae bother .Cost less then $25 slainte mhath macduff
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Seumas MacCombie



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If you have a tripod you might want to think about getting the same brand. Example my Manfrotto tripod and monopod both have the same connecting mechanism which makes things nice. Just a thought...
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Chris
http://www.33g.com/photos

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.

The advice to get a companion monopod to your tripod is good so as to have the same quick-fit attachment. However I wouldn't bother with either a ball head or pan and tilt head both of which are pretty superfluous on a monopod and are even a nuicance. I have a Giottos monopod. It has 2 light attachable legs which are useless when fitted in the base but are very handy when fitted in the collar to create a low macro trpod. It is as a monopod that it works best thopugh. It has a fitted 90 degree one way fluid head which is beautifully smooth and is all the movement you need in a monopod which can itself be tilted of course - hence no need for any other head.

I've got a Manfrotto 679B (3216) that does a real good job for me. The heaviest lens I use also is a 80-200 but it supports up to 22 lbs and it's under 50 bucks online. If I'm taking sports photos or portraits outdoors, I love the monopod as I can adjust it so quickly and it's good and steady. NOT as steady as a tripod certainly but...it will make a big differences in your images that you are pushing your speed on

I highly recommend the Manfrotto model 685B. This one has no locking levers to mess with. Just pull up and it stays in place. When you want to lower it just squeeze the trigger. LOVE IT!



Alan

I use the Manfrotto 685B also. Sitting on a bench at the riverfront, it handles my heaviest D200 with 80-200 f/2.8 with ease. It locks at any length and stays that way until you decide to close it.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/monopod.shtml

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dave

I have the same model, outfitted with a Manfrotto 3232 swivel head and a RRS Arca-compatible clamp, so that I can use the same quick release setup as for my tripod. It's a very convenient setup. One comment about the trigger grip mechanism, though - the screws holding the handle together tend to loosen. Applying a little Loctite is a good precaution.

Ray

Thank you all for your help. I will look at your suggestions and add my selection to my Christmas list.

Vince

Take a look at Feisol carbon monopods. They're lightweight, sturdy, and nicely priced. I have the 1401 and love it. Here's the link:

http://www.feisol.net

I also agree that you don't need a ball or swivel head on a monopod. If you're shooting with a long tele or zoom, it likely will have a swivel collar for vertical shots. And you can tilt the monopod up or down for framing.

greg

EDIT: In difference to the post just above.....

Ah, so that's my problem! I have an OK tripod but needed a monopod for certain shooting situations. I just bought a cheapie, with no head what so ever. I've never been able to use it because there is no pan or tilt ability. It has stayed home lately.

I guess I need to spend the money and buy a decent one.

Not sure exactly what your "difference" is, but let me explain:

I'm not suggesting that anyone buy a "cheapie" monopod. Feisol monopods are not "cheapie" as anyone who has one can attest.

There really is no need for a 3-way or ball head on a monopod. They make things more complicated than necessary. If you're shooting video or panos, you probably ought to put your pan head on a tripod rather than a monopod. A tilt head on a monopod is okay, but it can also be overkill. I have a Manfrotto 234 tilt head, but I find it superfluous because I typically use my monopod only for my 70-200 f2.8 and 300 f4 lenses. Both have collars that allow the camera to be rotated vertically, giving the same effect as a tilt head. A tilt head would be helpful if you are using shorter lenses that don't have collars, but you need monopod support less with shorter lenses. Of course, if you're using a quick release system, a tilt head with a QR plate also will make sense.

I use my monopod all the time without a head. I guess I'm curious as to why your monopod is useless without a head.

greg

I have a Manfrotto 680B monopod - nice and compact, 4 section, sturdy though quite heavy.

Its heavy cos I've added a few bits and pieces to it. Whilst I have a tripod, I hardly use it except for studio, landscape and macro work. My monopod goes everywhere else with me, so I've tried to make it versatile.

Legs - Manfrotto 678 - I got these cos every once in a while I need to use the monopod as either self standing or as a light stand.

Support bracket - Manfrotto 331 - comes with a silly little ball head which I removed - useful for macro work when I don't have my tripod, though it is seldom used.

Head - Manfrotto 460MG - Its a three way head essentially, but doesn't have all those sticky out handles. Takes lots of weight, easily adjustable and has a QR plate.

2 Bungee straps wrapped around the main pole to tie the monopod onto any railings/gates/trees whatever.... and a lens case strap held on with split rings.

I've tried headless, tilt heads, ball heads (awful) - this combination works for me at present - it's heavy and it aint perfect, but I like it.

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Simon

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greg88 said:

Not sure exactly what your "difference" is, but let me explain:

I'm not suggesting that anyone buy a "cheapie" monopod. Feisol monopods are not "cheapie" as anyone who has one can attest.

There really is no need for a 3-way or ball head on a monopod. They make things more complicated than necessary. If you're shooting video or panos, you probably ought to put your pan head on a tripod rather than a monopod. A tilt head on a monopod is okay, but it can also be overkill. I have a Manfrotto 234 tilt head, but I find it superfluous because I typically use my monopod only for my 70-200 f2.8 and 300 f4 lenses. Both have collars that allow the camera to be rotated vertically, giving the same effect as a tilt head. A tilt head would be helpful if you are using shorter lenses that don't have collars, but you need monopod support less with shorter lenses. Of course, if you're using a quick release system, a tilt head with a QR plate also will make sense.

I use my monopod all the time without a head. I guess I'm curious as to why your monopod is useless without a head.

greg

Click to expand...

I shoot a lot of car races and driving schools. I need quick movement for panning. Most locations have not been level pans thru the whole line of site to the track either, therefore I need to tilt up or down some, not to vertical. A tripod is better but that won't work in grandstands for sure. A fixed leg monopod just doesn't give me the range of motion I need.

i also just shot the base jumpers at the New River Gorge Bridge. I needed too much tilt up for even a tripod.

Bottom line, I've gotten very comfortable hand held but I know that has its limits for sharpness.

You can buy a very cheap "V" mount which allows for more movement when shooting and this would fit directly to your "headless" monopod. I have used mine for shooting African wildlife and birds when I place a small beanbag in the "V" and simply rest my 50-500mm lens in it.

It is also handy for BIFs or air displays when at times I've reached the limit of vertical angle (i.e. when an airplane shoots straight up with afterburners blasting), and I've simply continued my vertical pan by lifting the camera/lens out of the V allowing the monopod to drop against my chest.

I've actually got into the habit of using the monopod and V mount for general widlife shooting (mainly deer), because it gives me so much more freedom when moving about - I simply carry the extended monopod in one hand and camera/lens around neck or shoulder.

greg88 wrote:

I typically use my monopod only for my 70-200 f2.8 and 300 f4 lenses. Both have collars that allow the camera to be rotated vertically, giving the same effect as a tilt head.

Hi, Greg,

I have these two lenses on my D200 but I'm not quite sure by what you mean when you say they can be rotated vertically. The only rotation I can see on them is rotating from landscape to portrait mode via the collar. What am I missing?

Bruce

That is exactly what he means Bruce. Rotating inside the lens collar between portrait and landscape. I'd find that difficult to do so I'm happy with the simple one-way fluid movement on my head.

Sorry for not being clear, Bruce. Vic's right. What I meant was rotating the camera from a horizontal (landscape) position to a vertical (portrait) position with the lens collar. That's the main benefit, IMHO, from a tilt head for longer lenses. You then can tilt the monopod forward or backward to compose images. For situations where you need to point extremely high or low, Vic's V head suggestion is a good one.

greg

I bought a Giottos MML3290B for use with my 400/3.5. It has 4 sections and is rather tall (fully extended). For normal use, I only need to extend the first 3 sections. The last extension I use for overhead shots (e.g. birds).

I use a ballhead (with friction) on the monopod. A fixed connection is too unflexible for my taste. It might work for sports photographers standing on the sidelines, but it might get into the way when using proper monopod technique: http://www.nikonians.org/monopods/what_monopod_3.html

I checked the Manfrotto Monopod Tilt head (234RC) in a shop but disliked the fact that it didn't have a friction control - when changing the setup, the lens was in danger of flipping forward.

Everybody has his own likes/dislikes, so take the advice in this thread only as a starting point and try out before you buy, if possible...

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• Volker

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