Favorite Monopod?

Jil · May 8, 2019

I know, not an exciting question, but in my hands, my GFX shots are usually improved with one. I know I'm not alone.

Since I'm really starting to travel with my GFX setup finally, I was curious as to whether anyone has a favorite monopod for travel. I have an old Gitzo (~ 15 years old) that I used to use for sports long ago. It is certainly rigid and relatively light, but it really doesn't pack well at all.

Anyone have a favorite that packs well? Have a B&H pilgrimage coming up next week and while I have been threatened with death if I buy another lens (;-)) , a new monopod won't be an issue.

I think.

Thanks,

JT

Chris Dodkin · May 8, 2019

Well, not sure how portable it is but I love the Induro GIM505XLTH4 with the GFX.

Light yet super sturdy - I have the Induro arca tilt head on mine so that I can quickly attach the GFX or a lens like the 250mm.

Product Highlights

Load Capacity: 39.7 lb
Max Height: 84.7"
Closed Length: 28"
Sections: 5
Weight: 3.2 lb
Arca-Type Compatible QR Clamp and Plate
Reversible 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 Mount
Ergonomic Half-Turn Twist Lock Design

Shop around and you can find this new at 50% off RRP - which is a complete steal at $229

--
Your time is limited, so don't waste it arguing about camera features - go out and capture memories - Oh, and size does matter - shoot MF

Rick Knepper · May 8, 2019

I can't say it is my favorite, since this model is the only monopod I have ever owned (have 2 actually), but the Feisol CM-1401 was in my price range. I have the optional arca-swiss clamp also.

--
Once you've done fifty, anything less is iffy.

Jil · May 8, 2019

I like Induro gear - that looks nice and solid, in-stock at B&H so I'll have a look.

Extremely good deal given it includes the head. I actually have a wonderful Kirk head, super fast to switch from camera to lens foot orientation.

Of course the more packable ones have more sections , have to find the sweet spot for stability.

Thanks Chris (as always),

JT

Jil · May 8, 2019

I have one of the first carbon fiber Feisols they released years ago, son still has it and hasn't killed it yet.

I like the closed size - ~ 21 inches will easily fit in my carryon and great price. Also at B&H!

I appreciate the help - there are seemingly dozens of choices.

JT

Greg7579 · May 9, 2019

JT, I have taken 3000 shots in the last month on the road in the Med and almost every shot is on a monopod. The one I have is the old Manfrotto carbon top-end model from about 5 years ago. I don't like the clasps because sometimes they pinch me when I close them. I think I would prefer the twist knobs of the RRS gear. So I will keep my eye on this thread and buy a new monopod when I get home. Make sure it extends really high - not a short monopod. That really helps. Also, I don't need the tilt head because my 5or has an L-plate, so I can go vertical without tilting it down. I think I might actually prefer a ball head on the monopod. Not sure....

Monopod with the 50r. mandatory travel gear. You need those 2 or 3 stops of stability without IBIS.

Plus, have been using mine as a walking stick on some rocky or steep hikes. I beat the hell out of it. I have dropped it many times.

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

Greg Johnson’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com

Greg7579 · May 9, 2019

Chris Dodkin said:
Well, not sure how portable it is but I love the Induro GIM505XLTH4 with the GFX.

Light yet super sturdy - I have the Induro arca tilt head on mine so that I can quickly attach the GFX or a lens like the 250mm.

Product Highlights

Load Capacity: 39.7 lb

Max Height: 84.7"

Closed Length: 28"

Sections: 5

Weight: 3.2 lb

Arca-Type Compatible QR Clamp and Plate

Reversible 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 Mount

Ergonomic Half-Turn Twist Lock Design

Shop around and you can find this new at 50% off RRP - which is a complete steal at $229

Chris, I think I misunderstood the purpose of a tilt head. I thought it was to swing your camera down to portrait without removing it from the head. But it is to mount big lenses on the ring mount on the lens right? because it goes the other direction and then you can tilt it up and down?

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

Greg Johnson’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com

left eye · May 9, 2019

SIRUI P-326 Carbon Fibre. Been using one for years, love it, lightweight, compact, strong, very well made and a good action on the leg locks.

Excluding head...

Closed Length : 38 cm / 15"
Max Height : 154 cm / 60.5"
Weight : 0.37 kg / 0.82 Ib
Load Capacity : 10 kg / 22 Ib
Sections : 6 (keeps closed size to a minimum)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/P-326-Carbon-Monopod-Carabiner-Compass/dp/B004QC6VAG

You'll need to add a head of your QR choice. You don't need super heavy-duty high-load heads as you'll be supporting the camera, so you may as well keep the head's weight and height down. You can use a small ball-head but as you'll have control of how vertical the monopod is you only need a simple tilt head.

I use Manfrotto QR so I got a 234RC (which is comparatively rather heavy at 250 grams / 0.55 Ib, though only 6cm high), so the monopod with this head...

Including 234RC head...

Closed Length : 44cm / 17.3"
Max Height : 160 cm / 63" (above my eye height!)
Weight : 0.59 kg / 1.3 Ib

I've removed the monopod's top 'disk' (that you'll see in sales images) as I didn't need the strap (or compass!) this also slightly reduced size and weight...

As this monopod is so lightweight, it's worth hunting around for a super light-weight head, there's many good quality Chinese ball-head's around 180 grams which would work fine.

left eye · May 9, 2019

Chris Dodkin said:
Well, not sure how portable it is but I love the Induro GIM505XLTH4 with the GFX.

...from the spec it's not that portable.

Member said:
Product Highlights

Load Capacity: 39.7 lb

Max Height: 84.7"

Closed Length: 28"

Sections: 5

Weight: 3.2 lb

Arca-Type Compatible QR Clamp and Plate

Reversible 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 Mount

Ergonomic Half-Turn Twist Lock Design

If more portability is required, I recommend a SIRUI P-326 Carbon Fibre (with a head of your choice),

specs of this including a 234RC tilt head...

Closed Length : 44cm / 17.3"
Max Height : 160 cm / 63" (above my eye height!)
Weight : 0.59 kg / 1.3 Ib
Load Capacity : 10 kg / 22 Ib
Sections : 6 (keeps closed size to a minimum)

tgltgl · May 9, 2019

I can highly recommend Gitzo GM4552L which I recently got specifically purchased to use with GFX 50R and 250mm lens. It is very sturdy and has great specifications. It is expensive however (for a monopod for sure) but in my mind this is similar decision like with tripods - may as well buy really good one once and not worry about it again.

Load Capacity: 66 lb
Max Height: 74.8"
Closed Length: 22"
Sections: 5
Weight: 1.6 lb

gitzo_gm4552l_series_4_carbon_1475253365000_1286941.jpg

I also purchased Kirk MPA-2 monopod head which I can recommend even more (to my huge surprise I like it even better than my RRS BH-40 tripod head).

And since we are talking monopods let me also recommend these monopod leggs that are very portable and further help to increase stability. This is 3 Legged Thing DOCZ Foot Stabilizer (which can easily screw on to the bottom of the above Gitzo monopod to replace the foot that comes with it).

3_legged_thing_docz_foot_stabalizer_1530417185000_1417277.jpg

Jil · May 9, 2019

The Sirui has pretty favorable reviews (tons of them) and of course, I agree re: the ability to pack it. The dividing line more or less appears to be ~ 20".

From a usability standpoint is that last section "usable" or pencil thin? This is what has confounded me over the years with the travel tripod question and is probably why I still use a positively ancient Gitzo traveler.

One advantage for me is that I'm *short*, so I can get away without the bottom section if need be.

Thanks,

JT

IainD · May 9, 2019

tgltgl said:
I can highly recommend Gitzo GM4552L which I recently got specifically purchased to use with GFX 50R and 250mm lens. It is very sturdy and has great specifications. It is expensive however (for a monopod for sure) but in my mind this is similar decision like with tripods - may as well buy really good one once and not worry about it again.

Load Capacity: 66 lb

Max Height: 74.8"

Closed Length: 22"

Sections: 5

Weight: 1.6 lb

I also purchased Kirk MPA-2 monopod head which I can recommend even more (to my huge surprise I like it even better than my RRS BH-40 tripod head).

And since we are talking monopods let me also recommend these monopod leggs that are very portable and further help to increase stability. This is 3 Legged Thing DOCZ Foot Stabilizer (which can easily screw on to the bottom of the above Gitzo monopod to replace the foot that comes with it).

That is a very nice looking system. I might look into that..!

Chris Dodkin · May 9, 2019

Yep, it just allows you front/back tilt flexibility, which can be useful - easier to keep everything aligned than say using a ball head

mtakeda · May 9, 2019

Regarding the usefulness of Kirk MPA I assume it will let you tilt up or down then I wonder how more convenient compared to the simple tilting the mono pod itself? Or you found any other advantage to impress you much?

tgltgl · May 9, 2019

mtakeda said:
Regarding the usefulness of Kirk MPA I assume it will let you tilt up or down then I wonder how more convenient compared to the simple tilting the mono pod itself? Or you found any other advantage to impress you much?

Yes tilting up and down using the head mechanism is easier than tilting the mono itself (especially with large lenses - I feels like I have better control when operating the head to tilt the camera then without it - hard to explain until you try it). There are probably other cheaper monopod heads that have this tilting option but Kirk is really premium quality - feels even higher quality then my RRS BH-40 which is known for very high quality just like everything RSS makes. Also it's rated to support a lot more weight than cheaper monopods (which is probably why it feels so smooth when handling large GF 250 mounted on my 50R).

StoryInPictures · May 9, 2019

I like the Sirui monopod which have removable feet

The feet are much stronger than most others you can put a foot on them for added stability. They can be used by themselves as a tabletop/floor tripod

they come in different sizes, some aluminum some carbon fiber

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1348559-REG

Greg7579 · May 9, 2019

I know the tilt head is for big lenses with collars where the lens is attached to the head - not the camera so you can go up and down with the tilt head.

But I'm using my 50r attached to the monopods tilt head by the L brackett, so the tilt head does me no good as it only adjusts sideways, which is of no use at all.

I brought my RRS travel tripod (with the BH-30 RRS ball head) and my Manfrotto monopod (with the Siriu L-10 Tilt Head).

Yesterday I switched heads and used the RRS ball head on the monopod and really like it. A tilt head will do me no good until I buy the 250. I don't use the collar on the 100-200.

Anyway, does anyone else like using ball heads on their monopod instead of a tilt head?

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

Greg Johnson’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com

montera2 · May 10, 2019

"Anyway, does anyone else like using ball heads on their monopod instead of a tilt head?"

Well, I do. I use an old Manfrotto monopod 682B with the 486RC2 ball head. It is heavy, 1,6 kilos. There is a reason for that, years ago I had a lengthy "chat" with my doctor, when I told him "gonna buy some carbofibre tripod and momopod to better cope with the "burden"". His opinion was, "don't do it, just take fewer items and carry moderate distances". It's a good thing I took it seriously, my oxygen levels are up and muscular strenght is up to a level I can manage my daily routines, which wasn't the case 10 years ago.

I had the S5 and P645D with the monopod but now I've had the GFX 50s for some years and I still have the tripod up to 2 meter and nearly 6 kilos but seldomly used.

But for other's it may be a good thing to do the carbonfibre.

Jil · May 10, 2019

That is a nice setup, I'm pretty sure that Gitzo is a more modern version of my current one, I'll have to measure it.

And 2 thumbs up for that Kirk head - I love mine, one of my best purchases, have had it a long time. One of my colleagues has the RRS one and I really prefer the Kirk.

I am intrigued by the feet! Nice that they are removable... nice, flexible system

Thanks!

JT

Jil · May 10, 2019

Hi Greg,

Yes - actually it was one of your comments about how you travel with yours that reminded me I needed to figure out how to do that too. Luckily for me, at 5'3" on a good day, I don't need a very tall max height ;-) .

My current one is so old all of the identifying info has worn off...

And regarding the head - I have the Kirk. I think Chris' is similar. It's fantastic for when you have lenses with feet because you can shift the orientation such that the axis remains the same when you switch from using the camera plate to the lens foot/plate.

Looks like the 100-200 has been a great travel lens - just bought one for that purpose. Hence the spousal edict regarding my visit to B&H next week.....

JT

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