Which Monopod Please

[carnbrea]

I'm now the lucky owner of a 100-400mm L Lens, and would welcome a few suggestions before I use it at a air show next month with my 300D.

First of all I like the idea of using a monopod with this lens, but which one ?
The Benbo Trekker which has a tilting head looks ok or would I be better looking at a different make altogether ?

Would you use the IS with this lens and in which mode I or II

Any help would be appreciated. :)

[msnow]

I've been looking at the same thing and decided on the Bogen carbon fibre monopod.

[jimtfoto]

Have a couple of monopods, but my favourite for use with a long and heavy lens is Manfrotto 682 Pro SS 206820. It has retractable legs for greater stability. Now looking at the Manfrotto 322RC2 grip action head which will allow more flexibility in quick composition changes from horizontal to vertical.
jim

[sGu]

I'd highly recommend Manfrotto carbon fibre one, it's light, it's strong, it's just great.

[Top-Cat]

If you have a sturdy normal three leg tripod you could get a Wimberley Gimbal head this has an adjustable platform to align the centre-of-gravity of a large lens and gives you complete freedom of movement with no camera weight to worry about.

With the 28-135mm IS lens that I once owned Canon did not recommend using IS with the camera mounted on a tripod


___________________

Eos 10D With Grip
16-35mm 2.8L
24-70mm 2.8L
100mm Macro
100-400mm 4.5-5.6L
550EX Speedlight

[Cadwell]

I wouldn't have thought using a monopod at an airshow would be really practical. :? I've always hand-held at such events to give me free 3-dimensional movement.

[carnbrea]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I will have a look at the Manfrotto range tommorow.

Interesting point from Cadwell, but is it possible to get decent air shots with the 100-400L hand held?

I bought this lens from a friend recently and cant wait to try it out.

:D

[CoolToolGuy]

For the 100-400 L, I would recommend the 486 or larger ball head. They will handle the weight well and will allow you to keep the tension on the ball loose enough to allow for movement without feeling like it is a loose hinge. I have the 484, and I have used it with the 100-400 L, but if I had that lens in my inventory I would move up to the 486 (I may anyway).

My two cents.

Have Fun,

[Cadwell]

but is it possible to get decent air shots with the 100-400L hand held?



Why certainly it is. I see people using 100-400Ls hand-held at race tracks all the time. It isn't that heavy a lens and as long as you have a high-ish shutter speed (which you probably want for 'planes anyway) camera shake won't be an issue.

[blackviolet]

when running up and down the field taking photos (of junior rugby and soccer), i almost always use my monopod. sometimes im using it on the ground, and sometimes handheld. i've really noticed that the attached monopod adds significant reduction of hand-held shakies (poor man's IS :wink: ) due to the damping effect of the extended shaft- it's almost like the 'chainpod'...

[robertwgross]

For the 100-400 L, I would recommend the 486 or larger ball head. They will handle the weight well and will allow you to keep the tension on the ball loose enough to allow for movement without feeling like it is a loose hinge.

If it is a loose hinge with a Canon lens, does that make it a loose cannon?

---Bob Gross---

[CoolToolGuy]

For the 100-400 L, I would recommend the 486 or larger ball head. They will handle the weight well and will allow you to keep the tension on the ball loose enough to allow for movement without feeling like it is a loose hinge.

If it is a loose hinge with a Canon lens, does that make it a loose cannon?

---Bob Gross---

At an Air Show? Could be... 20mm? Wing mounted? :roll:

[robertwgross]

What would be cool at an air show...

Rig up one plane with a gun camera. Have a simulated target that the plane will strafe. Get the camera's image remoted off to a large screen so that some of the audience can watch it almost real time while it is underway.

---Bob Gross---

[KennyG]

I wouldn't have thought using a monopod at an airshow would be really practical. :? I've always hand-held at such events to give me free 3-dimensional movement.

I agree with you. A monopod really only comes in useful at these sort of events when you are working in roughly the same horizontal plane and with a lens heavy enough to warrant it.

The most dangerous monopods are those with 'legs' on the bottom. The temptation is to let go and I was once witness to many thousands of dollars worth a equipment bouncing of concrete when someone did that.

Also, there is no need for a head on a monopod, other than perhaps a simple quick release or a vertical/horizontal swinging head like the Manfrotto 234RC. Just look at the sidelines at Wimbledon, or trackside at the GP, not one head on a monopod anywhere.

After all the thing is just a big extending stick and the only considerations are height extended, length closed, weight and flexibility (ie: weight carrying capability).

[CoolToolGuy]

Also, there is no need for a head on a monopod, other than perhaps a simple quick release or a vertical/horizontal swinging head like the Manfrotto 234RC. Just look at the sidelines at Wimbledon, or trackside at the GP, not one head on a monopod anywhere.

After all the thing is just a big extending stick and the only considerations are height extended, length closed, weight and flexibility (ie: weight carrying capability).

In the situations Kenny G. describes you may be able to get away with a monopod without a head, but I have found my ball head to be useful in the same type of situations. And there are more uses for a monopod than standing on the sidelines. I have used it sitting in a theater seat, with my feet supporting the tip, and the pole coming up to my chest area at an angle. The ball head is an absolute necessity for that application, since the camera angle is nowhere near perpendicular to the pole.

Have Fun,

[boBquincy]

I always carry a monopod and use one when taking most of my pictures. I have found a ball head (or any type of head) just seems to get in the way most of the time so I now use a piece of rubber (a Wel-nut) to support the camera.

With this type of 'head' the camera can be quickly moved to any reasonable angle yet it still feels secure.

All we're really trying to do is reduce or eliminate vertical motion so there should be no need to lock the camera to the monopod.


boB