Which monopod please

merv

merv

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Mervyn
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Would someone please recommend a really good monopod please for my 300/2.8 lens. Is there any benefit in an Arca swiss plate on a monopod or just use the standard screw straight into the lens foot?
merv
 
Be a man get yourself down the Gym :D in saying that I think I need to join you as my arms were aching today I might have to invest
in one myself :p
 
I have a Giottos MML3290B. It feels light and study. I have a manfroto tilt head on it. Its also cheaper than a gym membership
 
A tilt head is valuable for lenses of shorter focal length but more dubiously for the length you quote. As far as I can see at this moment, a quick-release plate is valuable in all circumstances.

Giottos, Manfrotto - both good. QR leg clamps being adustable for tension will stand the test of time.
 
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I find setting the tilt slightly on 400mm helps. It also accepts 200pl qr plate. I dont use it lose.
 
merv said:
Would someone please recommend a really good monopod please for my 300/2.8 lens. Is there any benefit in an Arca swiss plate on a monopod or just use the standard screw straight into the lens foot?
merv
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Get whatever you fancy really, providing it's tall enough. Even the cheapies will do the job, monopods are not like tripods - basically just a 1/4in screw on the end of a broomstick.

If you go birding or shooting aircraft, you will need something tall enough to put the camera above your eye-line. You will also need a head of some sort; I prefer a ball-head, others go for a monopod head. But if it's just motorsport with a bit of panning, you'll not need as much height and can get away bolting straight to the lens foot.

Edit: you should fit an Arca-Swiss plate in any case, make sure it's long enough to achieve optimum balance on monopod/tripod/gimbal. Balance point varies according to weight of camera etc.
 
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Thanks Guys. Aircraft my main use. Would you believe I have a Manfrotto 393 Gimbal head and have never used it!
Must get it out and try it on a monopod

:p:shifty::muted: :muted:
:nikon:
 
Yes agree with Hoppy a Swiss arca plate is better, it makes it easier to use if its balanced properly
I tried just hand holding but a monpod is much easier:)
I use a kiwi photo plate and monopod head from ebay on a 3 section ally manfrotto monopod with my 300 2.8 and 7D
 
I use a Manfrotto 679B, 3-section monopod. Pretty solid, but perhaps not the most compact though..
 
I tried the 679 but it was too short for shooting skyward for me. Its also quite heavy compared th the Giottos.

Remember to turn VC off with the monopod like I didn't :(
 
I will be using a 300.2.8 lens and a Manfrotto 680b monopod. So I should fit and Arca Swiss type clamp to the monopod and a plate to the lens foot. Apparently I need a plate dedicated to that particular lens foot, would that be correct? I see different lengths of plate from about 1.75" up to about 4". Minefeild!
 
merv said:
I will be using a 300.2.8 lens and a Manfrotto 680b monopod. So I should fit and Arca Swiss type clamp to the monopod and a plate to the lens foot. Apparently I need a plate dedicated to that particular lens foot, would that be correct? I see different lengths of plate from about 1.75" up to about 4". Minefeild!
Click to expand...

You don't need a new lens foot, just bolt on an Arca-Swiss plate, eg this 100mm one for £9 http://www.amazon.co.uk/FITTEST-Rel...332700&sr=1-6&keywords=arca+swiss+plate+100mm or whatever length you fancy. This is a lens plate, there's more metal in them than similar camera plates (not hollowed out underneath) so stronger, though I doubt you'd have much trouble with a similar camera plate and they come with grippy rubber pads, like this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eggsnow-Uni...332700&sr=1-3&keywords=arca+swiss+plate+100mm

If you want to use the Arca-Swiss system, you'll need to convert everything to suit.
 
For flying aircraft I gave up on my monopod because I found it harder to track them accurately with it attached. I do use it for stuff on the ground and have a QR plate so I can dump it quickly in order to get stuff in the air. I used to have a very compact Manfrotto MMC thing but it couldn't take the weight of my 7D+400/4 so I swapped it for an ultra light Manfrotto 694CX carbon fibre with a basic QR tilt head on it, that does me fine for wildlife or aircraft on the ground and is probably my most used accessory.
 
Thanks Carlos I see that now. Yes the Gimbal has a sliding plate I have tried it out at home but not in anger yet.
As William says, I think the monopod even with a Gimbal might hinder tracking of planes but have yet to try it
 
Gitzo mono with Kirk tilt head my choice, not cheap but very very good.
 
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