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MarieBoyer

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I saw a person using a monopod and I like the portability. I have the D50. If I order a monopod (hers is the Manfrotto 676B), do I need anything to go with it? Or do I just screw it in and go?

Also wondering if there is anything that allows a "tripod" to double as a monopod (for those occasions when you need to quickly move to follow the action).

Thanks for help with these questions.
 
MarieBoyer wrote:
You first need to decide on what monopod.
Make sure you get one that is tall enough when fully extended.

Make sure you get one that is short enough when closed to fit wherever you intend to pack it.

I suppose you could wrap an elastic band, or velcro around the three legs to make a tripod act as a monopod.

Finally, you need to decide if you need any type of head. A monopod allows complete freedom of movement in one axis only (left-to-right).

And to a lesser degree up-and-down). Unless you have a collar on your lens, you cannot quickly switch from horizontal to landscape mode.

There are plates available that allow movement in 1 or 2 axis.

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You might want to consider a ballhead. I got the Manfrotto 680B and a 484 ballhead because it allows me to point the camera in whatever direction I need while keeping the monopod upright and stable. This is important if you want to quickly be able to switch to portrait orientation.

The 484 was cheap and did what I needed at the time but I'm starting to wish I had spent more on one with quick release.
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Hi, Marie,

I am a committed monopod user for shooting wildlife in the mountains. The portability and fast setup is important for me with the heavier lenses.

I use the Bogen/Manfrotto 681B, which has a swivel-tilt head and Quick Release plate. That head gives you a lot of flexibility without having to orient the pod itself. QR is very important for me for fast setup, not to mention less wear and tear on the camera tripod threads.

I have used my tripod as a monopod many times...just don't unfold the legs and it works just the same as a regular monopod.

Here's a photo of my D70 with 80-200 on the 681B:



And a good article on monopod use:

http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

Hope this helps.

Regards,

****:)
--
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D70&C-2100UZ&C-5050Z&C-7000Z&C-3000Z
 
I have this monopod :
Bogen / Manfrotto 685B NeoTec Monopod Deluxe
and I really like being able to adjust the height with one hand.

Regards
Renato
 
Thanks to all of you. I just ordered the Manfrotto 676B because it is affordable and will be a starting place. I also just ordered the SB-600 per the advice of many on this forum! Thanks.
 
Hi,

I have the 680b and have used it for years, i like the 680 because of its small size to pack, It is what I use when travelling. There are lots of places that won't allow tripods indoors because of crowds etc.

I use a 3229 head, it has an RC2 quick release plate (3157n) I have thes plates on all of my cameras and accessories and the RC2 mate on My 468 ball head for my tripod. And my 3030 3 way head on my other tripod.

They all serve me well.

dale
 
I did not order a head. I thought I would try it without first. I tried looking for those recommended here but I could not decide, and I really could not figure out which one would be best. So I may be back for further advice.

My friend uses one by just screwing her camera into the top. I am hoping that is all I have to do to get started using it.
 
I am 5' 5" and I think this one will be fine for me based on watching my friend use the same. Hope so anyway.
 
MarieBoyer said:
I did not order a head. I thought I would try it without first. I
tried looking for those recommended here but I could not decide,
and I really could not figure out which one would be best. So I
may be back for further advice.

My friend uses one by just screwing her camera into the top. I am
hoping that is all I have to do to get started using it.
Click to expand...
you'll quickly find the limitations of using one without a head of some type.

either ball or tilt w/ quick release.

while my ball head does not allow quick release, it does allow me to quickly tilt the camera for a vertical format. and, since only one of my four lenses has a collar, the ball head is my choice.
 
Not sure if Bogen/Manfrotto is still doing this but when I purchased my Monopod it came with a flex head (essentially a piece of flexible rubber about 2" long that had a 1/4x20 screw male/female on each end. It was "flexible" allowing you to aim your camera more easily.

I eventually upgraded to a Manfrotto 3229 Quick Release (QR) tilt head on my monopod since the rubber flex head seemed to be a bit too flexible for my taste & I already have a Manfrotto QR Pan Tilt head on my Tripod so the QR plate was interchangable between them.

HTH
--
Primary Camera: Nikon D70 w/ Tamron 28-300 lens
Backup Camera: Olympus C-8080WZ
 
Yup, Its the verticals that'l get ya. How do you expect to shoot verticals without a head?

If you want, I have a mint 3232 that I replaced with a 3229. I will sell it to you cheap, they only go for $20 new. so 10 bucks and postage and its yours! or listen to us and get the 3229 with QR and save yourself from one that collects dust like mine.

dale
 
I personally found that the Bogen Manfrotto 'flex head' to be worse than useless.

The hand stress required to align the camera (for example, horizontally) against the tension of the rubber flex section caused me to begin to shake worse than if I was simply hand holding the camera in the first place.

I quickly ordered the 3229 tilt head (~$30 with quick release plate) and now my monopod is a great joy to use.

Jeff
--
Never put off until tomorrow. . .
that which you can avoid doing altogether.
 
MarieBoyer said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5491&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Is this what you guys are saying I should order? Can I order this
alone or do I need something else to attach to the monopod? (The
accessories listed below the item are called "quick release
plates"?)
Click to expand...
This will work as is directly with a bogen/Manfrotto Monopod or even one of their tripods.

I know you were on a limited budget so I didn't mention it earlier but another alternative is their Mini Ballhead w/ Quick release system which is $52.00 but if I had it to do again I'd buy one of those instead.

HTH.
--
Primary Camera: Nikon D70 w/ Tamron 28-300 lens
Backup Camera: Olympus C-8080WZ
 
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