Giottos Monopods

Halesowen Kid

Halesowen Kid

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Mike Whitehouse
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Hi guys...:wave:

I'm looking to purchase a monopod to mount my Canon EOS 30D + grip on, but it will have to be comfortable to use & suit my physical height of 6'-3" (182cm)

The Giottos Pro range has caught my eye (Please see link)
http://www.1stcameras.com/cat_giottos_pro_monopods.cfm

Do any of you togs own a Giottos pod? If so, your comments please on the quality, ease of use etc or should I be looking at an alternative make & model..:shrug:

Your assistance will be most appreciated.

Mike..(y)
 
Mike

I own a Giottos MM 8980 http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=13399

Its a Carbon Fibre version and extends to approx 6 ft so with your camera mounted on top you should be looking at a bit of leeway, I think you can get the models in diffrent height versions so i would check that out.

As for build quality its superb, before buying this one (from a forum member here) I had compared it to a Gitzo and manfrotto. I found the Giottios to be just as well built as the Gitzo, and better than the manfrotto versions, it was also about £150 cheaper than the Gitzo.The quality of the Carbon Fibre is superb and a bit thicker than other makes, it is certainly well made with attention to detail.

As for use I use it with a 600mm F4 lens and 1 series cameras, it takes the weight no problem as its rated to 15 kg (approx 33 lbs), so should carry all the weight you need, you can unscrew and tighten each leg section one handed easily, the top section is a large diameter with a nice padded grip, which gives you something to hold, unlike these very thin versions, it also has a wrist strap. The foot can be unscrewed and fitted with a spike if needed and is of the standard 1/4" size. The top plate has an ingenious system where the 1/4 and 3/8" fixing studs are both their so you dont need to play with adapters. Also their a 3 small grub screws which can be locked up underneath the plate . mount which is fitted to the monopod. I have a long QR plate mounted on mine and the 3 grub scews are used to stop the QR twisting and loosening its self.

Overall i find it does it job very well, I wouldn't consider looking at the Gitzo or Manfrotto ranges for monopods (tripods are totally diffrent).
 
I own this one Giottos P-Pod its sturdy as hell as a monopod and when you have the legs attached at the front, when the legs are in the base I wouldnt trust it to be honest but saying that it makes a great tripod for my remote flash.

Scott
 
I use the Manfrotto 680B, its superb, I swear by it, use for all lenses incl 400L prime, I really don't see the point in spending a fortune on a monopod, I believe it either does what it says on the can or it doesnt?? and the 680B does that very well indeed, with good size, yet only about £40
 
Hi Guys :wave:
I thank you all for submitting replies to my request..(y)

I've just this second brought on eBay (USA) a Giottos MM8990 Monopod & im having it shipped to my daughter's in Florida for the wife to bring back home with her in a weeks time..:D

Oh, by the way MHO. What is the model number of your "Long QR Plate" & where did you purchase it from?

Thanks again,
Mike
 
Mike

The plate I use is the Jobu Long QR plate, but I just tapped out the middle hole for a 3/8" - 16 thread.
If you buy one and dont fancy doing the tapping yourself just ask them to tap the centre hole 3/8"-16. Before shipping it.

QRR-2.JPG


http://www.jobu-design.citymax.com/catalog/item/4364718/5711208.htm

Its the same plate I have on my Jobu Black Widow Heavy Duty Gimbal Head.

http://www.jobu-design.com/catalog/item/2588354/2040327.htm

This image shows the shorter one.

Hope this helps.
 
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