I've currently got a wimberley head on my manfrotto tripod for my 500f4 but need to get a monopod for the lens. I mostly use it for wildlife and sports, what set up are others using in this situation and what advantages and disadvantages are you experiencing?
Thanks,
Neil.
Posted by Nathan Lovas on April 3, 2008 at 10:08 AM
RRS has a nice article on their website about using a monopod: http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/03.html
I just bought one a few months ago and chose the Gitzo GM-2941 Reporter Basalt Monopod...it is 179.00 @ BH or Adorama...i don't think you have to spend that much money paying for carbon fiber or basalt, but I love gitzo stuff and the basalt was a nice middle ground between aluminum and carbon fiber for me...it's a monopod and so weight isn't an issue even with aluminum, and most people i spoke to seem to have went with aluminum and saved some money, so I wouldn't be afraid of it.... am sure there are others out there who know more about it, but i have been happy with my choice.....nate
Posted by Mike Maples on April 3, 2008 at 10:43 AM
I use a Gitzo G1548 CF with a small ballhead and Wimberley clamp on it. If I just want a stiff monopod I lock the head. Many times, though, I want the vertical support but also the ability to point the camera up or down without leaning the monopod. This can be at a fence or low wall where leaning the monopod is either not possible or when I want to brace the monopod against something. Get a ballhead with a good tension adjustment so you can set the resistance the way you want. A cheap one will just feel floppy.
I've been using a Bogen/Manfrotto 694 Magfiber monopod with up to a 200-400 mm f4 on a Nikon D3 with good results. I like its length, light weight, and friendliness to hands on cold days.
The magnesium attachment plate on the top is frustrating and generally worthless as supplied. There are three small pads that are intended to protect the camera on top of the attachment plate. Unfortunately they keep coming lose, the camera comes lose, and the pads drop off. I solved the problem by removing the annoying little pads and adding a Wimberley quick release clamp to the top of the monopod.
When I called customer service their only suggestion was that I buy a supply of the annoying pads from them so I could replace them as they fell off!
It's a good monopod, but it needs either a small ball head or a quick release clamp.
If you are doing any amount of cold weather work, -20C down, I would avoid Manfrotto products. I have an older 144 Manfrotto tripod which has served me well to -45C. However we purchased several Manfrotto monopods and heads recently for the Arctic Winter Games and the plastic wouldn't hold up.
One had a couple of locking levers snap and the other had the plastic mount with the mounting screw for the ballhead snap and come away from the monopod.
As the older product is holding up I'm working from the assumption they may have reduced the quality of the plastic in recent years to save money.
While I wrote Manfrotto I have yet to receive a reply.
Discussion
5 repliesThanks,
Neil.
I just bought one a few months ago and chose the Gitzo GM-2941 Reporter Basalt Monopod...it is 179.00 @ BH or Adorama...i don't think you have to spend that much money paying for carbon fiber or basalt, but I love gitzo stuff and the basalt was a nice middle ground between aluminum and carbon fiber for me...it's a monopod and so weight isn't an issue even with aluminum, and most people i spoke to seem to have went with aluminum and saved some money, so I wouldn't be afraid of it.... am sure there are others out there who know more about it, but i have been happy with my choice.....nate
The magnesium attachment plate on the top is frustrating and generally worthless as supplied. There are three small pads that are intended to protect the camera on top of the attachment plate. Unfortunately they keep coming lose, the camera comes lose, and the pads drop off. I solved the problem by removing the annoying little pads and adding a Wimberley quick release clamp to the top of the monopod.
When I called customer service their only suggestion was that I buy a supply of the annoying pads from them so I could replace them as they fell off!
It's a good monopod, but it needs either a small ball head or a quick release clamp.
http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/03.html
Works well for birds, wildlife, sports, etc., and is compact, lightweight, and inexpensive.
One had a couple of locking levers snap and the other had the plastic mount with the mounting screw for the ballhead snap and come away from the monopod.
As the older product is holding up I'm working from the assumption they may have reduced the quality of the plastic in recent years to save money.
While I wrote Manfrotto I have yet to receive a reply.
Dave