Monopod suggestions

Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
After playing around with the HEAVY 200-500, I'm thinking I need a monopod. I dug out an old shooting stick that had a broken rest on top. Fortunately, that rest attaches with a 1/4 20 stud. I tried it out in the yard, and found I liked it, but it is definitely too flimsy for 6.5 pounds of lens and camera for anything but a couple of tryout outings. Looks like there is nothing available locally except a light duty Sunpak. I looked online and looks like this Manfrotto appears to be a good bang for the buck. I plan to use it mainly for the long tele that has a collar, so I don't think I'll need a head. Runs about $50. Weighs just over a pound, is capable of supporting 35 lbs, folds to 17" and out to 62. Biggest down side is 5 section vs 4. Not sure if the flip locks are better than the clamp locks. I think the twist locks are more durable, but more of a pain to manage in the field. I don't mind spending a little more for a good one, but don't want to pay a couple hundred for a monopod, unless I absolutely have to. Spent too much on camera equipment this year, when I have too many other financial unknowns on the horizon.

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The next model up is the Xpro which is a 4 section, just a little heavier, a little longer folded, and has flip locks. It also runs about $120. Not a deal breaker, but not sure it's worth over the double the price.

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Manfrotto seems to have the best selection for a sturdy monopod at a reasonable price. I can always add a head later on, if I decided I need one. For intended use, I think the only advantage would be a quick mount plate. Even that is a dubious advantage, since a monopod is very easy to screw on and off a tripod collar.
 
Dangerspouse

Dangerspouse

Senior Member
I purchased a MePhoto monopod on B&H when the put the blue one on sale for 19 dollars (the other colors were 50, iirc). I like it, but I think if I ever purchase another one I'll get one that has the three fold-out feet. There have been a few times where I would have liked that as an option, and would be worth the price in my opinion.

FWIW, I added a tilt head to mine. One of the more fun things this lets me do is lift the camera way up, or drop it way down, and compose shots looking at the LiveView screen (remote shutter in one hand). I'm not very good using it to track faster moving subjects (yet), even with the tilt head, but it's still a worthwhile accessory I think.

That Manfrotto seems very nice. Good luck, if you end up getting it!
 
hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
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I believe monopods with more sections allows them to be smaller in length when compact. My first monopod was the Manfrotto 680B. Several years ago, they were on sale for a great price before being discontinued. It has flip locks. Since then I've switched to twist locks as my preference. So I added a Gitzo aluminum monopod and a Sirui carbon fiber monopod - both with twist locks.

First you should decide which types of locks you want to use. That will help narrow down your selection. Sorry I'm not of help with offering suggestions because I have no idea what's available now.
 
Fred Kingston_RIP

Fred Kingston_RIP

Senior Member
I have a Manfrotto 681B... 3-section aluminum with the flip locks...Supports 26Lbs. It originally came with a head that I thought was the weak link... I'm not a fan of Manfrotto's quick plates... The mono is a beast and easily supports my D810 and 200-500mm. It's discontinued but you can easily find New in Box on eBay for <$70

I bought it because it extends to 65"... I'm tall and hate short monos and tripods...
 
BF Hammer

BF Hammer

Senior Member
I bought my monopod about 13-14 years ago and it's not really available today. Mine is a Vanguard aluminum pod with twisty locks and painted black. Don't remember how many segments, but it extends above the top of my head. It is also larger in diameter than most, very solid feeling for what is really a Chinese brand. The rubber grips on the twisties have long ago cracked and fallen off, but the metal below has good grip-edge on it so no problem from that. The foam hand-grip is getting some cracks now, still fine to use.

I went some time before I bought a tilt-head for my pod. At a bare minimum I recommend getting a Arca-Swiss type clamp like you can buy for under $20 and put that on top. First time you just release the clamp instead of unscrewing the entire monopod off of your lens, you will be happy you did it. A $30 tilt-head instead of the clamp is well worth it also.

I don't recommend going the tripod/monopod convertible route. I have one travel tripod that does that, but the assembly time is enough to annoy me. And the leg feels so thin compared to my real monopod.
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
​​​​â​ you will find you need some type of head to go with your monopod choice.
 
Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
Well, I ended up ordering the Manfrotto MII. I just got it this afternoon, and unboxed and tried it out just a bit. First impression is that, for the price, it is a well made piece of gear. With the 5.5 lb lens and an additional pound or so of camera, it is pretty stable. Of course, this is well south of the 33 lb claimed max weight. The bottom section is a little skinnier than I might like, but it isn't a $300 monopod. The twist locks are easy to use and hold quite securely. The nice thing about them is they are self adjusting for wear, unlike flip locks.

I tried it without a head, and it was fine for things that were more or less on level with the camera. If you tilt way up or down, things become more unstable. I put the funky designed head from my old Bogen 3021(pre Manfrotto) on it, and that feels much better when tilted substantially up or down, keeping the monopod close to plumb. For now, I may just use the head I have, and see how things go. I've looked at small ball heads, and they have some well reviewed ball heads with reasonable max weights that use an Arca Swiss compatible mounting plate. These are quite inexpensive, and look well made from the pictures. I don't really need the ability to switch from portrait to landscape, as the mounting collar on the lens accomplishes that just fine, all I need is to be able to tilt it up or down. The quick mount plate would be a plus.

Now I just need a chance to get out of the house for a couple hours and try it out real world. A quick foray into the back yard is helpful, but I need a better test.
 
Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
FredKingston said:
I have that exact head on a tripod... I tried it on my Monopod and didn't like it... It's too fiddley...
Click to expand...

Which one, the Bogen 3025, the Desmond or the Ulanzi?

I find the Bogen to be rather fiddly on the tripod. With the little bit I used it on the monopod, I found it easy to use, since I was only interested in adjustment in one plane.



For those who aren't familiar with it, this is the Bogen head I'm referring to. Got it several decades ago. Although mine has different knobs for tilt and swing.

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Fred Kingston_RIP

Fred Kingston_RIP

Senior Member
The Ulanzi... Ball heads on a mono just don't work for me... I'm seriously looking at the one Cindy posted at B&H...That's more in line with the Manfrotto head on their Monos...but with an Acra plate instead of Manfrotto's QType head...
 
hark

hark

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FredKingston said:
The Ulanzi... Ball heads on a mono just don't work for me... I'm seriously looking at the one Cindy posted at B&H...That's more in line with the Manfrotto head on their Monos...but with an Acra plate instead of Manfrotto's QType head...
Click to expand...

Clovishound, have you searched online for using a ballhead on a monopod? What Fred said is what I hear quite a lot. Ballheads are difficult to control on a monopod.
 
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