Monopod and portrait format

ChrisR

ChrisR

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I shoot mostly 35mm film cameras (Pentax MX), and really like to use a monopod rather than a tripod. However, it's a pain when you want to take a shot in portrait mode. I know I could get a head that allows a 90 degree tilt, for £25-£35 I think (depending on whether a QR plate), but I'm slightly reluctant, as I think when tilted over for portrait format use, the combination would be unbalanced (all the weight to the side of vertical).

Any suggestions or comments, please?
 
Sounds like you need a Custom Brackets Digital Pro-SV kit.

This stock image shows it on a tripod, but obviously it would work on a monopod.

41Wliu%2BC5vL._SX425_.jpg
 
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Hard to unbalance a system that isn't balanced in the first place. Using a head to flip between the orientations just shifts the CoG an inch or 2 to the side - it all still balances just as well as when it's in line with the leg.
 
Nod said:
Hard to unbalance a system that isn't balanced in the first place. Using a head to flip between the orientations just shifts the CoG an inch or 2 to the side - it all still balances just as well as when it's in line with the leg.
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Whilst it does only shift the centre of gravity a bit I find it awkward tbh, especially when using a heavy lens such as my 70-200mm. I've been toying with one of the l bracket thingies but that that Stewart posted looks a much better option. Bet it's not cheap though :eek:
 
Sounds like you need an L-bracket, with Arca-Swiss quick release. The universal ones are only a tenner on Amazon etc, though may be a bit over-sized for a little Pentax MX, and I had to take a file to mine for a snug fit and rounding the corner so it doesn't dig into your hand. The custom-designed ones are very nice though.

You'd probably do better getting something smaller, say for a Fuji XT-1, Fuji X100, or Sony A7 - those kind of smaller cameras, plus a bit of DIY. There are lots about, good quality too :)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...arca+swiss&rh=n:560798,k:l+bracket+arca+swiss
 
HoppyUK said:
Sounds like you need an L-bracket, with Arca-Swiss quick release. The universal ones are only a tenner on Amazon etc, though may be a bit over-sized for a little Pentax MX, and I had to take a file to mine for a snug fit and rounding the corner so it doesn't dig into your hand. The custom-designed ones are very nice though.

You'd probably do better getting something smaller, say for a Fuji XT-1, Fuji X100, or Sony A7 - those kind of smaller cameras, plus a bit of DIY. There are lots about, good quality too :)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=electronics&field-keywords=l+bracket+arca+swiss&rh=n:560798,k:l+bracket+arca+swiss
Click to expand...

I'm struggling to visualise this in action properly. I think I had the idea that it sort of slid round, looks like you actually take it off, turn the camera and put it back on. Is there an issue with the number of available hands? Unlike a tripod, the monopod will fall down if not held... so one hand for the monopod, one for the camera, and the third to diddle the QR thingy? (This is probably a reflection of my lack of competence with the Manfrotto QR on my seldom-used tripod head!)
 
snerkler said:
Whilst it does only shift the centre of gravity a bit I find it awkward tbh, especially when using a heavy lens such as my 70-200mm. I've been toying with one of the l bracket thingies but that that Stewart posted looks a much better option. Bet it's not cheap though :eek:
Click to expand...
If you're using it with big lenses, why isn't it attached to the rotating tripod collar?

Really, a monopod isn't for "stability" as much as it just "supports the weight" so that *you* don't wear out and shake. It's fine with the body off-center (unlike many side mount gimbal heads IMO). If you tend to shoot mostly in portrait orientation you might also want an L-bracket. My only problem with flopping the body to the side is it changes the eye height a few inches...just enough to be annoying.
 
ChrisR said:
Unlike a tripod, the monopod will fall down if not held... so one hand for the monopod, one for the camera, and the third to diddle the QR thingy?
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LOL! Thanks for that ;).
One hand on the monopod head in position to diddle the thingys... How do you get your camera on the monopod now?
 
Can't you just get an L plate? Both mine have arca swiss side plates.
 
ChrisR said:
I'm struggling to visualise this in action properly. I think I had the idea that it sort of slid round, looks like you actually take it off, turn the camera and put it back on. Is there an issue with the number of available hands? Unlike a tripod, the monopod will fall down if not held... so one hand for the monopod, one for the camera, and the third to diddle the QR thingy? (This is probably a reflection of my lack of competence with the Manfrotto QR on my seldom-used tripod head!)
Click to expand...

An L-bracket is designed to be permanently attached to the camera. Fit and forget. It provides an Arca-Swiss type dovetail rail that then slots into an Arca-Swiss type quick-release tripod head, so you can attach the camera in either horizontal or vertical orientation, or swap it over in a couple of seconds. It's a very good and popular method.

The problem for you is there's probably nothing out there custom-made to fit the Pentax MX so you'd have to modify it, And the end result may spoil the slim lines of the MX. Another way might be to buy a cheap universal L-bracket and an extra Arca-Swiss clamp, which would then give you something like this expensive Acratech L-bracket http://www.acratech.net/l-brackets-and-nodal-rails/universal-l-bracket/ Watch the video and you'll get the hang of it.
 
sk66 said:
If you're using it with big lenses, why isn't it attached to the rotating tripod collar?

Really, a monopod isn't for "stability" as much as it just "supports the weight" so that *you* don't wear out and shake. It's fine with the body off-center (unlike many side mount gimbal heads IMO). If you tend to shoot mostly in portrait orientation you might also want an L-bracket. My only problem with flopping the body to the side is it changes the eye height a few inches...just enough to be annoying.
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Well to be fair I do use the rotating tripod collar so was a bad example lol, it was just the first time I used one the collar was missing ;) Thinking about it I did find it awkward unbalanced with the 70-300mm, it does make the reach awkward. I understand it's more to take the weight, but it is easier/nicer to use if the weight is central to the monopod :)
 
To keep the center of gravity L brackets are very good, it's quick to change between landscape and portrait without needing to check levelling etc. Fit and forget is a great expression for L brackets. An l bracket would weigh less than that additional head. On longer lens with a tripod collar just use the tripod collar.
 
Why doesn't anyone make a range of good square sensors? You just don't get this problem with square format! Or perhaps even better, a circular sensor, from which format and orientation are choices made by software in the camera rather than expensive engineering.
 
•
Any decent bullhead will do the trick!
I just fitted one on my monopod and set the camera vertically
to test your assumption of weight transfer… I think it is negligible
and still fast to operate.
 
chris malcolm said:
Why doesn't anyone make a range of good square sensors? You just don't get this problem with square format! Or perhaps even better, a circular sensor, from which format and orientation are choices made by software in the camera rather than expensive engineering.
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Yes, I didn't have the problem with my Minolta Autocord, which has a nice square sensor... :)
 
Just been having a look at Arca-Swiss compatible heads to go with an L plate... most of them appear to cost more than that fancy device that Stewart mentioned. I did find this, some sort of adapter plate that can apparently be added to the top of a monopod, but I think it might look a bit weird.

Also, I tend to carry the camera using the monopod handle, often with the camera pointing downwards; otherwise I might sling the camera onto my back (head and shoulder through the strap) with the monopod still attached. Would these devices stand up to this sort of abuse?
 
ChrisR said:
Just been having a look at Arca-Swiss compatible heads to go with an L plate... most of them appear to cost more than that fancy device that Stewart mentioned. I did find this, some sort of adapter plate that can apparently be added to the top of a monopod, but I think it might look a bit weird.

Also, I tend to carry the camera using the monopod handle, often with the camera pointing downwards; otherwise I might sling the camera onto my back (head and shoulder through the strap) with the monopod still attached. Would these devices stand up to this sort of abuse?
Click to expand...

this is what I use with the Fuji XE2, quality is superb and more than enough..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ED0HFOM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I don't use the plate from the ball head but this instead..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer®-Ver...1446895514&sr=1-1&keywords=fuji+xe2+arca+grip

that allows me for landscape or portrait and the beauty is you can take the grip and portrait part off, its very well built..

so that shows it doesn't have to be expensive, I am sure you can modify one for the MX
 
Kodiak Qc said:
•
Any decent bullhead will do the trick!
I just fitted one on my monopod and set the camera vertically
to test your assumption of weight transfer… I think it is negligible
and still fast to operate.
Click to expand...


Do you fit the camera on one of the horns?
 
This is what I made up from the centre column of a mini slick tripod. by turning a plug and fitting a brass thread adapter. This screws into the top of my Brasher Walking pole. to bring it to a standing eye level.
The small Quick release plate lives on the camera. Note my home made adjustable neck strap, The nylon Loops unclip from the sam browns and stay on the camera when you remove the strap. The loops fitted to the strap will hold my weight of 15 stones.(steady pull)





DSCF1391web.jpg

slick-brasher.jpg
 
chris malcolm said:
Why doesn't anyone make a range of good square sensors? You just don't get this problem with square format! Or perhaps even better, a circular sensor, from which format and orientation are choices made by software in the camera rather than expensive engineering.
Click to expand...
I guess it would make composing the image through the viewfinder quite difficult unless there was some device to crop the view of the viewfinder depending on which orientation you were wanting to shoot, but then this would make the viewfinder very small.
 
Kodiak Qc said:
•
Any decent bullhead will do the trick!
I just fitted one on my monopod and set the camera vertically
to test your assumption of weight transfer… I think it is negligible
and still fast to operate.
Click to expand...

TBH, although I have L-brackets for all my cameras and wouldn't be without them, I used a monopod for many years as Kodiak suggests - just flip the camera over in a normal ball head. Monopods are easy to re-balance just by tilting to one side a bit.

ChrisR said:
Just been having a look at Arca-Swiss compatible heads to go with an L plate... most of them appear to cost more than that fancy device that Stewart mentioned. I did find this, some sort of adapter plate that can apparently be added to the top of a monopod, but I think it might look a bit weird.

Also, I tend to carry the camera using the monopod handle, often with the camera pointing downwards; otherwise I might sling the camera onto my back (head and shoulder through the strap) with the monopod still attached. Would these devices stand up to this sort of abuse?
Click to expand...

That's just an Arca-Swiss type QR clamp, for adapting/converting an existing tripod head. It's circular for cosmetics. There are dozens on Amazon etc, need to check the fitting though.
 
So in the end I bought a Manfrotto 234RC monopod head with Quick Release. It's the same plate as I have on my little Manfrotto ball head. Just took it out to try out (didn't get very far before the heavens opened I got literally soaked to the skin :( ). It's comparatively light at 300 gm, but I also put a new zoom lens on (Pentax-A 28-80), and the combination felt distinctly heavy. I suspect the zoom was contributing a lot to that. I was worried that I couldn't carry it slung behind my shoulder, as there's a large knob sticking out where the camera would ordinarily rest against my back, but in fact it seemed to just turn and sit relatively comfortably. I did get a couple of portrait format shots before having to run for cover, and it seemed to work quite well. Found it easier to drop it over to the left, so my nose wasn't rubbing against the camera and monopod; oddly I think this is the opposite to using the camera hand held. It also gives the camera a couple of extra inches in height, which turns out to suit me quite well.

I know I should have got an Arca Swiss option, but they all seemed to be twice the cost of any of my cameras. This was just under £25 from Premier Ink, just down the road in Leamington.

Thanks for your help and advice everyone!
 
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