I need to buy a monopod for a location I will be going to this summer that does not have room for tripods. I have no experience with monopods, so first I need to know: Do you use the same ballhead on a monopod that you have on your tripod, or do you have to get a special monopod ballhead?
Also, if you have any recommendations for a monopod that will hold a Canon 5D + 300mm f/4 lens, please let me know.
I'm very pleased with the lightweight (1.1 pounds) Gitzo Series 2 GM2541 6X Carbon Monopod - 4 Section with G-Lock. It's spendy, but I like the features, and it supports 26 pounds. Until now I've been using my trusty old Arca Swiss BH-1 ballhead on it, but I'm ready to try my recently-purchased Really Right Stuff BH-30 Compact Ballhead. It's only rated for 15 pounds, but RRS says that's a conservative rating. In my experience it easily supports the heavy Nikon D2X and my 300 f/4 AF. It's so small and light (8 oz) that it seems like it would be a perfect match with the lightweight monopod. Heck, the 2541 and BH-30 together weigh about half of what the BH-1 weighs all by itself!
Lots more money than other options, but if you can match those specs for less money I bet you'll be quite happy.
I can't imagine that it would be too big when my A/S BH-1 works. At only 18 ounces it would be an improvement in fact. I was interested to read that it's only rated at 18 pounds capacity however, compared to the 15 pounds of the BH-30.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on April 10, 2011 at 3:43 AM
Hank has good taste, that combo is super pro and will run about $450. If you have the budget, go for it!
If the budget is tighter, here's a couple suggestions: The Manfrotto 694C Carbon Fiber Monopod is also quite nice for a bit less money. If budget is tight and you're OK with aluminum, the Manfrotto 680B will work great, I use the 676B (older model). The Manfrotto 498RC2 Ball Head is quite sturdy and easy to adjust, I use that head on my 055CX Carbon Fiber Tripod with a 5DMK2 and the 70-200mm/2.8 and it's rock solid (of course, that's relative!). However, I simply use this head on my monopod, it's easy to go from landscape to vertical, I don't know if a ball head is so important since you can tilt the monopod, but I may be wrong. That tilt-swivel head is very strong, no problems with my set-up.
Anyway, just $.02... also search for the monopods that have the three little feet that stick out of needed. In a pinch on flat ground you can most likely pull off a long exposure of a full second or even more if it stands by itself. BTW, I keep IS on with a monopod, even though for tripods it's generally advised to turn it off. With 300mm, you'll still get a side-to-side wiggle that'll need stabilization.
Discussion
4 repliesAlso, if you have any recommendations for a monopod that will hold a Canon 5D + 300mm f/4 lens, please let me know.
Thanks!
Lots more money than other options, but if you can match those specs for less money I bet you'll be quite happy.
If the budget is tighter, here's a couple suggestions: The Manfrotto 694C Carbon Fiber Monopod is also quite nice for a bit less money. If budget is tight and you're OK with aluminum, the Manfrotto 680B will work great, I use the 676B (older model). The Manfrotto 498RC2 Ball Head is quite sturdy and easy to adjust, I use that head on my 055CX Carbon Fiber Tripod with a 5DMK2 and the 70-200mm/2.8 and it's rock solid (of course, that's relative!). However, I simply use this head on my monopod, it's easy to go from landscape to vertical, I don't know if a ball head is so important since you can tilt the monopod, but I may be wrong. That tilt-swivel head is very strong, no problems with my set-up.
Anyway, just $.02... also search for the monopods that have the three little feet that stick out of needed. In a pinch on flat ground you can most likely pull off a long exposure of a full second or even more if it stands by itself. BTW, I keep IS on with a monopod, even though for tripods it's generally advised to turn it off. With 300mm, you'll still get a side-to-side wiggle that'll need stabilization.
Happy shopping!