Monopods?

pete s

pete s

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Pete
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Is a decent monopod a worthwhile purchase as a lightweight alternative to lugging a tripod around?

Anyone got any particular recommendations for a decent one without spending a fortune?
 
got a great monopod at focus for subscribing to digial photo!
 
I have a 7 day shop tripod, legs are ok head is rubbish, I will only trust it with a cheap flashgun, not a camera!!!

Subscribe to didgital photo and get the manfrotto one, much better....
 
pete s said:
Is a decent monopod a worthwhile purchase as a lightweight alternative to lugging a tripod around?

Anyone got any particular recommendations for a decent one without spending a fortune?
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Yes they are, I use one often with all my lenses, it makes compositions easier to frame accurately and enables you to use a smaller aperture without having to increase the ISO when shutters speeds are getting low and of course required when using very long heavy lenses (my 90-250 weighs 2.5Kgs!).

I use a Manfrotto 680B, a 3 section monopole (i.e. 2 locking levers) which is quick to deploy, not too heavy and quite sturdy. I'm 6'1" tall and it is just right for me so I don't need to crouch.

Usually I just leave it extended with the camera and lens attached to it and carry the whole thing by the grip on the monopole.

Paul
 
Also got the free Manfrotto :thumbs:

I'm 6'9" and it's just a little bit too short for me :(
 
Try redsnapper monopods, great product and great value for money, I have one for motorsport etc and would not be without it.
 
http://www.aldine.co.uk/redsnapper/tripod-monopod-ballhead.html




Sizes and Details:

Max height 1580mm
Folded length 515mm
Top tube dia 28mm
Max weight 8kg



RSH-20 Mini Ball Head:

Height 95mm
Base dia 50mm
Ball dia 32mm
Max load 5kg

OFFER on the RSM-284 Monopod and RSH Mini Ball Head when purchased together.

RSM-284 Monopod:
4-section Alloy monopod with 'twist and grip' section locks.
It has a foam covered hand grip and a wrist strap.
It also has a reversable fixing for attaching a head or camera to. It can accomodate either a 1/4" or 3/8" thread.

RSH-20 Mini Ball Head:.
A mini ball head suitable for use on the RSM-284 monopod or small tripods.
A single lock allows movement of the camera and the side slot lets the platform turm 90 degrees to change to protrat from landscape.
It comes with it's own QR plate and its mount has a built in spirit level

Hope this helps,
Steve
 
Dave Pickett said:
I have a 7 day shop tripod, legs are ok head is rubbish, I will only trust it with a cheap flashgun, not a camera!!!

Subscribe to didgital photo and get the manfrotto one, much better....
Click to expand...


THIS is a better one! Stick your own ball head on top!

Iv'e used one for 2 years almost, even bought the top to turn into a walking stick! Still works prefectly after doing hundreds of miles and thousands of pics!
 
pete s said:
Is a decent monopod a worthwhile purchase as a lightweight alternative to lugging a tripod around?
Click to expand...

Mmm it really depends on how long your exposures are? You may get down to 1/30 or 1/20 but don't expect to be able to get long exposures with a monopod without strapping it to another immovable object!
 
Freester said:
Mmm it really depends on how long your exposures are? You may get down to 1/30 or 1/20 but don't expect to be able to get long exposures with a monopod without strapping it to another immovable object!
Click to expand...

I would not be using it as a substitute for a tripod, but to just give me a little extra stability when using a heavy lens.
 
Hi I too am having a look at getting one, I do a lot of bike track days with my son and I notice that the "pros" at the tracks always use one but I think panning with one must be a bit of an art.
 
I've got a Velbon UP400 monopod - £25 in Jessops...it's light and steady enough for my DSLR with a long lens on...just bought a Manfrotto 234RC head, again £25 from premier ink...perfect combo and easy to carry about.

I'm 6' 3" and it's more than tall enough for my eye line.
 
I have a redsnaper and velbon 50LX, the redsnaper is sturdier but considerably bigger and heavier.
For heavy lenses it seems the better option, and it also has a spiked leg. THe velbon seems better for everything else.
Still haven't decided which one to keep.

A monopod is not an alternative to a tripod.
If you need a tripod, take a tripod, a monopod or IS will disapoint.
For me a monopod is very usefull in photowalks. I've been doing most of my photography from going on walks, so a monopod has a double use: walking stick and support for camera (when your heart rate is up, it helps).
 
mrgubby said:
You'll not be able to shoot portrait without one :nono:
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Depends! My 70-200 and 150-500 lenses both have tripod collars so the lens can be rotated in the collar to go from landscape to portrait. I keep the QR plates on those lenses rotated through 90 degrees so the 234 head on the monopod allows the rig to be tilted backwards and forwards rather than from side to side.
 
... I would be putting unnecessary strain on the lens mounts on both the body and the lens. The QR plates on the bodies are all fitted to allow landscape to portrait flipping on the monopod should I be using other lenses.
 
Dave Pickett said:
Subscribe to didgital photo and get the manfrotto one, much better....
Click to expand...

I've had a look and the only offer I can find is a 5 in 1 reflector. Have you got a link for the monopod offer?
 
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