Monopod Base

I’m about to upgrade my monopod to either a Benro “Supa Dupa” (do Benro not have a marketing department?) or a Three Legged Thing Alan 2.0, but I’m unsure about which monopod base to purchase. If I buy the Benro monopod do I just purchase the matching Benro base or are the iFootage Cobra base or the Robus SBM-001 better options?

Main use will wildlife shooting with a Sony A9 + 200-600G lens, but there may also be some occasional motorsport shooting. I already have the Wimberley MH-100 monopod head, so sorted there.

The Ifootage goes into the Ifootage quick release. If you want the Ifootage table top I don't think it makes sense to buy a different monopod. Especially since the table top is basically free if you buy the monopod.

I’m in 100% agreement with NickZ2016: get the iFootage Cobra 2.

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Ellis Vener
A working photographer since 1984.
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Ellis Vener said:

I’m in 100% agreement with NickZ2016: get the iFootage Cobra 2.

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Yeah, I’m sure the iFootage is a great monopod, it gets great reviews, but it’s folded length is too long (27.8” vs 16.6” for the Benro) and it’s heavy (almost a pound heavier than the Benro). The Benro monopod also gets great reviews, but the Benro base less so.

Which one are you looking at? There are I think three lengths of the Ifootage. I have the midsize 150cm which without the tripod feet attached fits into a carry on easily. I think 50cm. What's that about 20inches?

I'd make sure you're comparing apples to apples also for weight. Mine is 1.3 kg legs and monopod. Most of that is likely the tripod legs.

NickZ2016 said:

Which one are you looking at? There are I think three lengths of the Ifootage. I have the midsize 150cm which without the tripod feet attached fits into a carry on easily. I think 50cm. What's that about 20inches?

I'd make sure you're comparing apples to apples also for weight. Mine is 1.3 kg legs and monopod. Most of that is likely the tripod legs.

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That's a valid point, I'm comparing it to the C180 (180cm) variant as the C150 (150cm) isn't tall enough, the Benro sits in between these two in terms of max height (165cm).

The Benro combo also happens to be slightly cheaper and comes with a 5 year warranty vs 3 years.

Thanks to both you and Ellis for putting the iFootage monopod on the map, but I think I've convinced myself that the Benro combo is the way to go for me.

Have you guys tried the Wimberley MH-100 gimbal like monopod head? If not and you do a lot of work on monopods you should take a look, great piece of simplistic engineering.

Just pointing out the 150 is 150cm with just the monopod. The base adds more. Not sure how much but at least 10cm more. If you're placing a head on top that much more but that would be the same with either.

Kev The Doc said:

I’m about to upgrade my monopod to either a Benro “Supa Dupa” (do Benro not have a marketing department?) or a Three Legged Thing Alan 2.0, but I’m unsure about which monopod base to purchase. If I buy the Benro monopod do I just purchase the matching Benro base or are the iFootage Cobra base or the Robus SBM-001 better options?

Main use will wildlife shooting with a Sony A9 + 200-600G lens, but there may also be some occasional motorsport shooting. I already have the Wimberley MH-100 monopod head, so sorted there.

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All my Benro/Induro/Mefoto gear works well, and they often include little unique features.

That Benro has some type of special foot and includes a spike, so you should be able to add any base you want. I'd be concerned if the base folded up for compressed length and if it would conform to rough terrain.

Aside from video, I never saw much value in those bases in rough terrain.

If you are hiking or camping any distance that extra pound is definitely something to be concerned about. Okay