Best monopod I have ever owned

[Dante King]

I am a fan of monopods. Would love to carry a tripod everywhere, but this is prohibitave. I just picked up a Giottos MM-570 P-Pod Monopod. Man this thing is built like a tank! It also has a quick release tilt head, which is a huge bonus. What really sold me on this unit was that you cna unscrew the bottom lug and pull out 3 metal rods to make your monopod, a "tripod" OR set it up like a machine gun mount with just 2 rods. Either way its configured, 3 rods, 2 or none, this is the sturdiest best made monopod I have ever seen. All I can say is so long Tripod! (not really, but now this mono will fill in 90% of the time)

[MillCreek]

I have a 580 P-Pod, which is almost identical to yours. I am quite fond of mine, and particularly appreciate the robust construction of the unit.

[reewik]

But it says it only supports 5 lbs? I guess it is really only used for stability??

[MillCreek]

You might be looking at a typo somewhere. The website, and the literature contained with mine, says that it supports 15 kg, or 33 pounds.

[reewik]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=318592

[reewik]

this one supports 33 lbs...

http://www.adorama.com/GTMM9180.html

[MillCreek]

Eric, the B&H website is in error. If you go to the Giotto's website, and look at this: http://www.giottos.com/eng_public/products_variation_comparison_chart.asp?ProductID= 13 you will see that all the Giotto's monopods support 15 kilograms or 33 pounds.

[reewik]

So I am looking at the 5580 right not the 580 as listed in the post. I am just trying to get this right cause I too am looking for a great monopod and do not want to buy the wrong one... I hope this is not taken as a disagreement just as clarification for me... Thanks for understanding and sorry if this is taken any other way!!!

[MillCreek]

Eric, I think the confusion is that you are looking at two different models of Giotto monopods on the B&H and Adorama sites. On the B&H link that you provided, this is a Giotto's P-Pod monopod, with the pan and tilt head. On the Adorama link that you provided, this is a Giotto's Pro monopod with just a screw mount, without the pan and tilt head of the P-Pod.

What I and the original poster have is a Giotto's P-Pod monopod with the pan and tilt head, like the one seen in your B&H link. All ofthe P-Pod series monopods support 15 kilos or 33 pounds. I have not reviewed the other Giotto's aluminum or carbon fiber monopods.

I hope this clears things up a bit.

[peter graham]

The P-Pod series seems pretty interesting, it's confusing that on B&H there's a 500 series mentioned but no 5000, while on Giotto's site there's only the 5000 series. Anyways, are the screw in legs finicky to handle? It looks like it's really versatile, screwing and unscrewing the legs looks to me like it might be a little incovenient though.

[DocFrankenstein]

Just curious - how monopods have u owned?

[m3incorp]

Nice addition to the family Dante.....

[Hermeto]

I own Giottos MM 5580 and absolutely I love it, despite the fact that 3 holes on the bottom easily get clogged with mud when I use monopod as a walking stick.
About an inch wide peace of bicycle tire pulled over these holes fixed the problem.

[Bama]

[quote=Dante King]I am a fan of monopods. Would love to carry a tripod everywhere, but this is prohibitave. I just picked up a Giottos MM-570 P-Pod Monopod. Man this thing is built like a tank! It also has a quick release tilt head, which is a huge bonus.

Hi,

Ordered the MM5570 P-pod through B&H as this item is not available here in
Singapore.
Question:
1) What quick release kit are you using?
2) Do I need to buy a separate QR Kit or does the set comes with it's own QR Kit?

thank you
Bama

[Timm]

Bama,

The P-Pod has a basic quick-release mechanism already built into it. This consists of a circular plug which fixes to the normal tripod mount of your camera and slots into the top of the pod - I'll try and take some pics later for you.

As I also have a Bogen/Manfrotto tripod with a 486rc2 head on it, I have attached a 'Manfrotto 323QR Adapter' to the P-Pod qr plug so I can easily attach either my camera or lense collars to the pod according to whether I am using a telephoto or short lense.

[jjonsalt]

Let me jump in. I think the 33 lb support factor is just for the monopod (that is, without the head). It's the head that supports 5 lbs and therefore the assmembly (monopod and head) supports 5 lbs. Now, I am also a big fan of the monopod and almost always have one with me. I use a Bogen 681 with the 678 folding base installed and topped with a Slik Standard ball head. This costs around $150 or so. It weighs 3.3 lbs as opposed to the Giottos' 3 lbs. The folding base is enclosed and therefore no mud in the holes problem and the assmembly supports 11 lbs (that is the ball head's rateing).

[Peter White]

I haven't seen the Giotto. I bought a Gitzo 1568 since I've had a Gitzo 1228 for about ten years and like it a lot. The 1568 weighs about 1 1/4 pounds. I use it without a head. I just bolted a Really Right Stuff clamp right to it and my camera clamps right to that using an L plate (arca-swiss type) from RRS. That makes a very light weight setup which is great because I'm never tempted to leave home with just the camera. I always have the monopod (unless I'm bringing a tripod) and so I'm always able to get a sharp image. These fifty year old hands just aren't as steady as they used to be.

[jjonsalt]

These fifty year old hands just aren't as steady as they used to be.

I fully understand.

[Bama]

These fifty year old hands just aren't as steady as they used to be.

You never know...we younger folks are just young at heart but your hands might be steadier.

I will receive the monopod next week...can't wait as the current one is broken and if necessary, will check out the local store here. They do carry the "9000" series and was told the parts are similiar.

Thanks
Bama

[Timm]

Bama, later than anticipated but here are those pics of the p-pod qr...

[Timm]

This one shows it with the Manfrotto/Bogen 323 adapter (for PL12 qr plates like the 486rc2 takes) attached to the pods qr lug...

[Timm]

Finally the whole caboodle with the lense ring from my 70-200...

[Bama]

Hi Timm,

The 70-200 lens holder is on my wish list...believe it costs a bundle too.

Thanks for the pics..will compare to what I'll get and after the trial work-out, will know if the Manfrotto/Bogen 323 is needed.

thank you
Bama

[Timm]

Bama

No probs. I only got the Manfrotto/Bogen 323 adapter as I already had a 486rc2 on my tripod & figured it would be easier than swapping the p-pod qr plug from lense -> body -> lens when swapping kit over. Now I just pick up either the tri or p-pod as I walk out the door and don't have to worry about fiddling with seperate mechanisms.

The lense holder for the 70-200 is a bit pricey to say the least, however everything feels more balanced when it's attached to a support rather than my camera body.

[Marshall]

Thanks for the comments, just ordered the P-POD 5570 here in the UK. Good value and has all the things I need included in price.

[greatkingbowser]

Just received my P-Pod. Great stuff so far. Just fired off some indoor shots using it with the nifty fifty of the ol' doggens. Pretty good stuff. :)

http://images.snapfish.co.uk/3457898323232%7Ffp338%3Enu%3D3268%3E7%3C7%3E8%3A%3 B%3EWSNRCG%3D323338%3B9%3C%3A%3B35nu0mrj

[Bama]

Hi Guys,

Just received the P-Pod today...looks like B&H do deliver as claimed. Received the item in 4 days.
Upon opening, realised that the 5570 is now a 5580 with a free bag...wow! The 5580 has bigger leg diameter and comes in 5 sections and it's only 0.1Kg more.
Looks like I got a good deal. Not sure why but I'm not complaining.
Can't wait to try it out this week-end as I have couple of events to shoot. Bet I'll be the envy as this item is not obtainable here and it does look good.

regards
Bama:cool:

[Marshall]

Got my P-POD today from Firstcall in the UK delivered next day via Business Post.Super build quality, a little heavy if anything. Mine is the 5570 3 section but it has the free bag.

[chancellor]

Dante, I'm looking for a monopod and came across this thread that you've started. I have two questions for you: 1) do you like your 570 p-pod?; 2) did you look into Giottos MM 8990 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, which is slightly more expensive?

Thanks.

[chancellor]

Guys, there was a discussion on this thread about this, but B&H still has this description: Giottos MM-570 P-Pod Monopod with Tilt Head (Quick Release) - Supports 5 lb (2.2 kg). This supporting is a mistake or for real?

Thanks.

[chancellor]

Dante, Your Majesty, where are you? ;-)

[chancellor]

OK, just ordered it. Will update in two days.

[chancellor]

Got it today from B&H and all I can say is: WOW! This thing is amazing, Senior Dante, thanks a lot for the recommendation!

[spectre]

I know this is an old thread but what the hell...

I just got my 5580 last week and I am scratching my head on one small thing.
How on earth do you get the shoe on the camera facing either forward or back? The threads stop on the shoe before you get threaded into the camera and no matter how long I try, I am about 20-70 degrees off of where I want it to be....and because of the notch, it matters how it is threaded into the camera.

Any clues or tricks?