Monopod and head

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vaizki

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Jukka
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I've been looking at monopods because I keep dragging my tripod along and not using it while leaving it at home and then needing it.. Mostly it's going to be general nature stuff, landscapes, the odd wildlife etc.. No huge lenses right now, just the 70-200/2.8L IS but I'll proabably end up with a 400 soon :nuts:

I have a dirt cheap Velbon jobbie with a 1/4" thread for direct camera attachment and flip locks but it's pretty crappy TBH.. My googling has led me to consider:

Benro MC-91M8 + Manfrotto 234RC head with 200PL qr plate.

The Benros seem to get good reviews (although not so sure about the twist lock but I guess they're good when they're good). The Manfrotto head because both of my tripod heads are Manfrotto (pan-tilt and ball grip) and I've found them to be ok. I'm sure there's a hundred other options too.

Throw some options at me if there's a better setup.. 4 section preferred for faster setup and should be at least 160cm tall me thinks (I'm 187). I couldn't really see the point of a ball head on a monopod, maybe there is one?
 
A monopod's a monopod. They don't need the structural rigidity of a tripod. You could use a walking stick with a decent head on it.

Personally, I'd get a carbon Benro because they're light and nicely made at a good price, probably with a Benro monopod head (v light) but a good ball head is also nice. Personal thing really.

If you're after a bargain, the RedSnapper is probably it for £27 http://www.redsnapperuk.com/redsnapper-quality-tripods.html Their RSH-12 ball head is very good for £50 (Arca-Swiss QR plate).
 
Thanks Hoppy, what kind of shooting would you head out to with a monopod + ball head? Sorry but I've never used ball heads outdoors :)
 
Not sure if Redsnapper delivers to Finland, their site certainly doesn't seem to make it easy to order it here :)
 
I sold my monopod (a nice big Manfrotto, but heavy) along with the long lens I hardly ever used on it, to fund a 5D2 - which is what you'll be doing once you've tried one ;)

For most people a monopod is to support the weight of the lens when you're standing around as much as anything. Those tilt-only monopod heads are nice, but are tricky if you want to turn the camera vertically. There are other ways of doing that of course, but a ball head is very fast and flexible and does everything. It needs to be a good size as you'll most have a big lens on it.

Like I said, I'd probably go for the small and light Benro monopod head (Manfrotto make one similar) as I have an L-bracket now which sorts out the vertical thing. Weight would be a priority for me, but you may have other things.

Sorry, not much help.
 
vaizki said:
Not sure if Redsnapper delivers to Finland, their site certainly doesn't seem to make it easy to order it here :)
Click to expand...

If you're interested in RedSnapper, phone Joe on +44 1295 269 333 and he'll sort you out, plus 10% discount for TP members :thumbs:
 
The problem with a monopod with twist locks or clips is that it can be a real pain when it comes to adjusting the height quickly with a heavy camera and lens combo mounted on it, and don't assume you'll want to take all your shots at the same height which is a mistake. It should however be long enough for you to stand comfortably upright without stooping, but easily and quickly adjustable for lower shots.

The Manfrotto 685B with it's trigger grip height adjustment is the one I'd go for - in fact I did.

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