Secret to using a mono pod

SpikeK6

SpikeK6

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Spike
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Hi

I am using a canon 100-400 mk2 with a 1.4 on it, I can hand hold it perfectly well, now I am looking to upgrade to maybe a 500 F4 and again using a a 1.4 on it.

Here is the worst part the weight of the 500, I have tried before with a mono pod when walking around with the 100-400 but had a love hate relationship with it. Loved the idea but hated that I could not get to use it probably how I should.
In the hides around the various ponds I visit I would be fine to rest the 500 on the ledge infront of me but on a walk about it will be too heavy to hand hold I think

Any tips or secrets to using the monopod, it would have a ball head fitted??

Thanks
 
When walking I carry the monopod inverted. And I normally use a tilt head with a good bit of friction applied, or none at all.
Here's an old picture (Kirk security strap and Gitzo reporter monopod). These days I use a Self Equalizing Sling Harness and a Sirui SVM-165 monopod (self extending/retracting), but the principle is the same.

Untitled-2.jpg
 
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sk66 said:
When walking I carry the monopod inverted. And I normally use a tilt head with a good bit of friction applied, or none at all.
Here's an old picture (Kirk security strap and Gitzo reporter monopod). These days I use a Self Equalizing Sling Harness and a Sirui SVM-165 monopod (self extending/retracting), but the principle is the same.

View attachment 478836
Click to expand...
Any more information on the Self Equalizing Sling Harness please? Thankyou.
 
I use a monopod with a Wimberley monogimbal for my RF 200-800 and for walking about or scrambling over rocks I have the monopod over my shoulder and the camera/lens sits across my shoulders behind my neck.
 
Oh dear Oh dear!!!! Me thinks someone has not discovered about MFT cameras and lenses . A 100-400mm mft lens = 200-800mm in ff terms. Shorter -lighter built in image stablisition

Show closed @100mm =200ff weight 985 grams (2.17 lbs)
100a.jpg

@400mm= 800mm ff
P1005463.jpg
Add a panasonic G9ii camera and forget a monopod apart from making long exposure photos. now with double image stablisation, No way would i ever go back to full frame cameras . Even with a lens like this I could hold/ trek with all day long
 
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Some suggestions based on what I've found useful...
  1. Put a ball head between the support and the balance point i.e. the lens or the camera body
  2. Keep the ball head fairly loose for speed of use
  3. Attach the camera via some form of quick release. I find a monopod and camera too bulky to carry together but easy to carry as two items.
Of course, other people will have have different ideas, which may be even better.
 
compare with say 985 grams (2.17 lbs) as in photos

Canon 800mm lenses vary significantly in weight based on aperture and mount, ranging from a lightweight 1,260g (2.78 lbs) for the consumer RF 800mm f/11 to around 4,500g (9.9 lbs) for the professional EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM. The newer mirrorless RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM weighs roughly 3,140g (6.9 lbs). 7 INCHES LONGER AS WELL


no contest
 
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SpikeK6 said:
Hi

I am using a canon 100-400 mk2 with a 1.4 on it, I can hand hold it perfectly well, now I am looking to upgrade to maybe a 500 F4 and again using a a 1.4 on it.

Here is the worst part the weight of the 500, I have tried before with a mono pod when walking around with the 100-400 but had a love hate relationship with it. Loved the idea but hated that I could not get to use it probably how I should.
In the hides around the various ponds I visit I would be fine to rest the 500 on the ledge infront of me but on a walk about it will be too heavy to hand hold I think

Any tips or secrets to using the monopod, it would have a ball head fitted??

Thanks
Click to expand...
I find it easiest to walk with the monopod and camera/lens disconnected.

But being able to make a quick connection with either a:

Novoflex Automatic quick release:

novoflex.co.uk

Automatic Arca-Compatible Quick Release

Novoflex create premium, precision engineered, professional photography equipment including lens adapters, macro bellows, ball heads, tripods and more.
novoflex.co.uk novoflex.co.uk

Or a Novoflex Magic Ball free.

novoflex.co.uk

MagicBall "FREE" Set consisting of:

Novoflex create premium, precision engineered, professional photography equipment including lens adapters, macro bellows, ball heads, tripods and more.
novoflex.co.uk novoflex.co.uk

The latter is available with either just a cup and ball, or a clamp and ball. I started with the cup and ball, but added the clamp, which lets me lock the camera/ lens in place for when I need two hands free. It needs a fair bit of tightening with a heavy lens, and may struggle with more exotic lenses.

A cheaper and, I assume, a good alternative to the Novoflex cup and ball option is the Speedy Gimbal sold by a TP member.

speedigimbal.co.uk

The SpeediGimbal Kit - The Original - SpeediGimbal

speedigimbal.co.uk speedigimbal.co.uk

I also find it useful to keep the monopod longer than I need, and angle it away from my body to get the right height, and then lean into it, with my legs apart so that my two legs and single monopod form a tripod. This doesn't work all the time, but it's the way I feel the most stable.
 
I use a Canon 500f4 all the time using a monopod, and walk several miles per day when shooting at racetrack. Originally I used a lightweight carbon fibre manfrotto monopod, monopod head (allows vertical movement but is small and light) and the manfrotto quick release.

However, after several hours use I found that the quick release screw would slowly become slack and need retightened. It didn't get close to disconnecting, but you could feel a little free play starting.

I eventually solved this issue with an RRS monopod head (there are cheaper copies available now) and an arca swiss foot for the 500 in preference to an adapter plate which would add extra weight. Now everything is rock solid and doesn't move all day, even with multiple folding up and deploying the monopod. I previously carried it over my shoulder, but since getting the acra swiss foot which doubles up as a handle, I simply retract the monopod and fold it over parallel to the lens and carry it upside down in either hand. I go from taking photos to walkin in about 5 seconds. If I'm in a rush and there are no obstacles, I've even just left the monopod extended, turned it upside down and carried it by the acra swiis foot. If I'm walking a long distance, I'll sometimes retract the monpod but leave it at 90 degrees to the lens and carry it over my shoulder.
 
Much depends on how much up and down movement you need. I use a monopod all the time for sport and 400mmF2.8 or 600mm F4. The lenses balance perfectly and I just screw the lens foot directly on to the monopod. For any movement across the camera that works quickly and without issue. If you need to shoot birds changing height then I', not sure it would work as well. I tend to use a tripod and gimbal in those circumstances
 
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