which monopod and head?

LongLensPhotography

LongLensPhotography

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I am looking for one, ideally it should extend over 1.80m as I am quite tall. It will get limited use so I would prefer to stay on budget, hence no carbon fibre.

Presume it will get some very heavy kit (maybe even 1D + 70-200/2.8 + 580EX at some point).

I have a basic manfrotto 3-way head, but I can't figure out how to remove it from the tripod. Would this do or do I need something else?
 
daugirdas said:
I have a basic manfrotto 3-way head, but I can't figure out how to remove it from the tripod.
Click to expand...
There are usually three set screws under the tripod's mounting plate....these are tightened to stop the head rotating on the stud. Have you loosened them to remove the head?
(Sorry if that's too simple a suggestion)

Bob
 
Canon Bob said:
There are usually three set screws under the tripod's mounting plate....these are tightened to stop the head rotating on the stud. Have you loosened them to remove the head?
(Sorry if that's too simple a suggestion)

Bob
Click to expand...

I wish it was that simple. It seems like it is too firmly screwed on. Whatever I do the head rotates around its axis, not the attachment. It should be still on warranty.
 
The normal way Manfrotto (and most other makers) secure the head is as Bob describes - three grub screws which locate through the underside of the platform and bite into the pan-base of the head to lock it in position, and stop it unscrewing.

Once loosened the head simply unscrews, but they can be on pretty tight.

I think it's quite hard to buy a bad monopod. Just get one that is long enough for you and fits your budget.
 
One thing I was advised is that your not always standing on flat ground often a slope and you may need somthing taller than your own height for those occasions.
 
I would suggest the Manfrotto 679B monopod.

It can hold up to 10kg, you can get it for around £30 and it works great with the Manfrotto 234RC head (which I assume is the one you got).
I am 1.90 and it is high enough for me with the head and lens on the top.
 
micloi said:
I would suggest the Manfrotto 679B monopod.

It can hold up to 10kg, you can get it for around £30 and it works great with the Manfrotto 234RC head (which I assume is the one you got).
I am 1.90 and it is high enough for me with the head and lens on the top.
Click to expand...

Max height 156.0 cm
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I would prefer something a little longer.

The head is 840RC2. It I buy from Jacobs like the tripod, could they possibly find a way to unscrew it?
 
I've got a red-snapper monopod which came with a ball head as part of a kit. & am very pleased with it, and all in cost about £35. I'm 6'4" and with the ball head inplace it's plenty long enought that I can use it without having to stoop. Also Redsnapper offer discounts for TP members !

Only drawback, is that it has twist lock sections on the leg instead of snap lock. You do quickly get used to that though
 
Today I had a play with my tripod pretending it was a monopod. Well I would really want to have the max height over 1.80m - tripod just about gets there with centre column extension. Secondly, I feel 3-way head is a bit painful to use with monopod. I won't be tightening every knob every time I want to adjust it - I could just use tripod then. It felt better with all knobs loose - but then what is the point? The head is stuck, but works fine on tripod and I will just leave it there.

So which monopod head types are best? Which monopod (I noted redsnapper as a possibility)?
 
I've got the 680B and a 234RC, but tbh I stopped using the head and just screw the monopod onto the lens now. I've also added a spiked foot to it which was a great investment at about £15
 
You don't want the tripod to be as tall as you, as I like mine to be slightly shorter so that you can lean into it.
I have seen others do the same.

I don't use a tripod head, I attach the lens straight to the monopod this means there is no fiddling and makes things a lot easier.

If there are no screws, tighten the axis which you say is moving as tight as you can and then try screwing the head off or man up.
 
jb1972 said:
I've got a red-snapper monopod which came with a ball head as part of a kit. & am very pleased with it, and all in cost about £35. I'm 6'4" and with the ball head inplace it's plenty long enought that I can use it without having to stoop. Also Redsnapper offer discounts for TP members !

Only drawback, is that it has twist lock sections on the leg instead of snap lock. You do quickly get used to that though
Click to expand...

I am 6 2 and use this same setup. Very nice...
 
I use a 488RC2 ball head. Either that or the monopod head, but the QR plate makes it quick and easy. Do not forget to add the height of the head and the distance between bottom of camera to eyepiece to measurements. Manfrotto monopods cheap and sturdy and I prefer the type with lever locks rather than twist locks.
 
i was going to by a head for my monopod then i realised that i could just turn the lens in the collar 70-200 f2.8vr [i felt a bit daft i must admit].
 
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