MonoPod for Europe Trip? Need Help and Suggestions...

[nutsnbolts]

Here is the deal. I'm leaving in two weeks for Europe, I was going to take my tripod with me but I want to lighten the load and just deal with a monopod.

With all the different monopods out there, I'm looking for almost a 1 time purchase monopod that is worth the money to last me awhile. I know that monopods can go as high as 500+ but I can't justify a purchase like that for that much. I'm willing to spend $100 tops for one.

What am I looking for?

Lightweight
Ability to be a tripod (has additional legs that folds up/down?) *not a deal breaker*
Can support my current equipment and future equipment.
Current Gear:
My gear (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3551711&postcount=711)
Future Gear:
Canon EOS 40D
Canon 70-40L
Canon 24-105LPlease include a ballhead to go with it as well. I would prefer a quick release for fast pace whip out tripod, "on the go" use.

Now, I know that the price is a cheapie one but at this point, I still don't see a high end super duper priced monopod.

Thanks everyone!

Also, where can I buy it as you suggest it?

[Reaperman]

Here is the deal. I'm leaving in two weeks for Europe, I was going to take my tripod with me but I want to lighten the load and just deal with a monopod.

With all the different monopods out there, I'm looking for almost a 1 time purchase monopod that is worth the money to last me awhile. I know that monopods can go as high as 500+ but I can't justify a purchase like that for that much. I'm willing to spend $100 tops for one.

What am I looking for?

Lightweight
Ability to be a tripod (has additional legs that folds up/down?) *not a deal breaker*
Can support my current equipment and future equipment.
Current Gear:
My gear (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3551711&postcount=711)
Future Gear:
Canon EOS 40D
Canon 70-40L
Canon 24-105LPlease include a ballhead to go with it as well. I would prefer a quick release for fast pace whip out tripod, "on the go" use.

Now, I know that the price is a cheapie one but at this point, I still don't see a high end super duper priced monopod.

Thanks everyone!

Also, where can I buy it as you suggest it?

Hmmmmmmm. I've just purchased a Manfrotto 680B with 234RC Head for £65. I read it is a sturdy model.... slightly heavier than the next one down but it got excellent write-ups. Like you, I needed something to take abroad... but couldn't justify taking my Manfrotto 055PRO B Tripod. The head on this Monopod is a Tilt head with 90 degree rotation. And yeah! it is a quick release.

Don't know how that works out with your budget but paying a little more often buys you a lot more.

:DReaperman

[nutsnbolts]

Hmmmmmmm. I've just purchased a Manfrotto 680B with 234RC Head for £65. I read it is a sturdy model.... slightly heavier than the next one down but it got excellent write-ups. Like you, I needed something to take abroad... but couldn't justify taking my Manfrotto 055PRO B Tripod. The head on this Monopod is a Tilt head with 90 degree rotation. And yeah! it is a quick release.

Don't know how that works out with your budget but paying a little more often buys you a lot more.

:DReaperman

Hmm...where did you get yours from? So far we have this combo I can look at.

[chalkie]

Hmmmmmmm. I've just purchased a Manfrotto 680B with 234RC Head for £65. I read it is a sturdy model.... slightly heavier than the next one down but it got excellent write-ups. Like you, I needed something to take abroad... but couldn't justify taking my Manfrotto 055PRO B Tripod. The head on this Monopod is a Tilt head with 90 degree rotation. And yeah! it is a quick release.

Don't know how that works out with your budget but paying a little more often buys you a lot more.

:DReaperman

I use exactly the same setup and it works a treat. It also collapses small enough to fit inside a medium sized suitcase which gets round having to carry it with you on the plane.

Graham

[nutsnbolts]

Ok so far so good with this monopod. I'm going to wait for a few more responses to see if something rivals it. So far 2 for this monopod!

[RPCrowe]

Buy or make two 24" strips of back to back 1" wide Velcro. This is Velcro in which the "hooks" are on one side and the "eyes" on the other side. You can buy Velcro that is set up this way or you can take standard Velcro and sew the hook and the eye pieces back to back.

Once you have the back to back Velcro; you can attach your monopod to just about any sturdy pole or fence that is available by just wrapping the Velcro around your monopod and the object to which it will be secured. The monopod will be held as securely as if you were using a tripod.

Of course, I realize that posts and fences are not located every place you wish to shoot - but, the Velcro probably weighs about an ounce and is no trouble to carry in your bag for the times you have that handy fence or post to attach your monopod.

[olz]

I would bring a light tripod instead? Why a monopod for travelling?

[nutsnbolts]

682 or 682B monopods, anyone have it? How does this compare to the 680B?

[olz]

Obviously I'm ignored - but let's try another way. How are you going to take long exposure pictures with a monopod, sunrise, sunsets, etc...?

[olz]

Left to right - 680B, 681B, 055BPro + 486 Rc0
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=64536&d=1142763740

I kept the 680B because of "compactness".

[nutsnbolts]

Obviously I'm ignored - but let's try another way. How are you going to take long exposure pictures with a monopod, sunrise, sunsets, etc...?

True but I need to be light light weight. It may be missed opportunities then again, how do people deal with monopods? I saw monopods that were also self standing like the 682 and 682B. That's why i asked about those too..

[nutsnbolts]

Left to right - 680B, 681B, 055BPro + 486 Rc0
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=64536&d=1142763740

I kept the 680B because of "compactness".

Great to see comparison. I have visited so many sites and I can't seem to see exactly how large it is.

[Reaperman]

I use exactly the same setup and it works a treat. It also collapses small enough to fit inside a medium sized suitcase which gets round having to carry it with you on the plane.

Graham

Yeah spot on. Mine is quite light enough to go in a suitcase but feels substantial enough to hold my kit. Money well spent.

:DReaperman

[sparksdjs]

True but I need to be light light weight. It may be missed opportunities then again, how do people deal with monopods? I saw monopods that were also self standing like the 682 and 682B. That's why i asked about those too..

You can buy the legs for the 680B, too (678 Universal Folding Base). I did get them but very rarely use them - they do not create a stable, free-standing platform. They work best with minimal monopod extension. I haven't found them to be much additional help at stabilizing the monopod when holding it, either. Plus they add considerable weight and you have to improvise to keep them from rattling when closed inside the monopod. I fould carrying a lightweight, small tripod (a Velbon) to work much better if the monopod is going to be inadequate. I also have the Bogen 676B Digi Monopod - very lightweight (less than 1 lb) and closes to 19". I carry that more often the the 680B now.

Dave

[JWright]

I'm afraid I can't understand your reasoning for wanting to substitute a monopod for a tripod (other than the weight savings). As I said in one of your other monopod threads, your kit is light enough to hand hold with little difficullty. A monopod is not a substitute for a tripod when it comes to steadiness. It is nothing more than a method for supporting the weight of a heavy lens and camera combination.

[olz]

I'm afraid I can't understand your reasoning for wanting to substitute a monopod for a tripod (other than the weight savings). As I said in one of your other monopod threads, your kit is light enough to hand hold with little difficullty. A monopod is not a substitute for a tripod when it comes to steadiness. It is nothing more than a method for supporting the weight of a heavy lens and camera combination.

Ditto. I already said that earlier.

[nutsnbolts]

Ok, so in other words monopods are just to support weight and are used in that way?

[gcogger]

I don't entirely agree with that - a monopod certainly can't do the same as a tripod, but it will let you use slower shutter speeds. How much improvement you get is very much down to technique. Here's a useful article that gives some ideas:
http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

[olz]

Ok, so in other words monopods are just to support weight and are used in that way?

They're good to support weight, and of course keep to keep the camera more steady. I'm not going to tell you how and when to use a monopod, but for travel use I would recommend a tripod, and leave the monopod to shoot sports and other moving objects with a large lens.

[nutsnbolts]

That is my aim with a monopd, quick attachment, extend the legs and shoot low light (slow shutterspeed).

[JWright]

A monopod with the short extendable legs isn't going to give you a quantum leap in steadiness. I don't see why some manufacturers even include them on monopods. They're just something else to go wrong.

A monopod won't gain you much for shooting with slow shutter speeds. You're still going to have some movement in the 'pod no matter how still you try to hold it.

Have you considered a beanbag as a potential camera rest? It would be steadier than a monopod in most situations. You can purchase them empty, and then fill them with something like beans or rice when you reach your destination. Once you are done shooting you can discard the filling (or eat it :rolleyes:) and throw the empty bag back into your luggage.

http://kgear.com/r/

[nutsnbolts]

A monopod with the short extendable legs isn't going to give you a quantum leap in steadiness. I don't see why some manufacturers even include them on monopods. They're just something else to go wrong.

A monopod won't gain you much for shooting with slow shutter speeds. You're still going to have some movement in the 'pod no matter how still you try to hold it.

Have you considered a beanbag as a potential camera rest? It would be steadier than a monopod in most situations. You can purchase them empty, and then fill them with something like beans or rice when you reach your destination. Once you are done shooting you can discard the filling (or eat it :rolleyes:) and throw the empty bag back into your luggage.

http://kgear.com/r/

On a side note. Those little 3 legs I'm hoping to also use like a tripod. To take a picture of myself and wife. A matter of 60 seconds on the tripod to take a picture of. Half our pictures taken by "others" are always wrong! So that is another consideration.

As stated on another forum, I'm now considering a slim tripod (lightweight, etc.) that can maybe double as a monopod.

[sparksdjs]

On a side note. Those little 3 legs I'm hoping to also use like a tripod. To take a picture of myself and wife. A matter of 60 seconds on the tripod to take a picture of. Half our pictures taken by "others" are always wrong! So that is another consideration.

As stated on another forum, I'm now considering a slim tripod (lightweight, etc.) that can maybe double as a monopod.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have these legs. A couple of things - you cannot adjust the base of the legs to do any leveling so the ground needs to be level; and the setup is reallllly wobbly when extended to any appreciable height so you end up with pictures shooting upwards (monopod not extended) or you need something to stand it on. I never felt comfortable enough to leave it freestanding on these legs, even with it not extended.

Dave