Which mono-pod?

[Wayne02]

My wife wants to get me a mono-pod and lens ring for Christmas. I'm currently shooting a rebel with 70-200L + extender. I shoot soccer and motorsports mostly with this set-up as a hobby.

I realize I probably shouldn't need a mono-pod for this relatively light weight set-up, but I do. I've tried various stances and holding techniques, but still get a bit of camera shake.

Which mono-pod should I tell her to get? What lens ring do I need for the 70-200f4L lens? I seem to remember there were two options here; one expensive white one, and one less expensive black one. Is this still the case? I'm not concerned about the color of the ring.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Wayne

[Kenski]

manfrotto/boggen, I like both the aluminum and carbon fiber ones.... Stiffer then a 80 year old on viagra....

[cmM]

I have a manfrotto 681 monopod w a manfrotto head with quick release, I forgot which model.... it works well.

[CoolToolGuy]

The ring to get is the one that is specified for the EF 200 f2.8L. This one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=211436 &is=REG

I have the Manfrotto 680, it is a good monopod and is a little shorter when collapsed, as it is a 4-section. Good choice.

I also have the Manfrotto carbon fiber version. It is quite a bit lighter than the 680. You may or may not need the light weight.

Have Fun,

[Paul_B]

thanks Wayne,

I have the 70-200 f4L on my xmas list, gonna squeeze Tripod ring and a Manfrotto mono-pod on Daddy's list and see if they show up under the tree 8)

Also, having done much research on this lens, that ring does fit it and is much cheaper than the one Canon would suggest you buy -http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=186247&is=REG
I don't have the lens yet, but have read many times that ring fits it fine (as CoolToolGuy mentions).

[Wayne02]

Thanks for the info folks. I'm 6' 4" tall and most of my pictures will be at standing height. There's no danger that any of these monopods could be too short at this height is there?

Thanks
Wayne

[CoolToolGuy]

I'm 5' 10", and either of mine will go tall enough that I have to stand on tip-toes. Check the specs on the monopod, add the height of the camera, and figure your eye level by subtracting the distance from the top of your head to your eye.

Have Fun,

[Wayne02]

Alright then, looking through the b&h site finds these options:

679b 3 section w/ 3229 swivel/tilt head quick release for $64

679b 3 section w/ 3232 swivel/tilt supports 5.5lb. $51

681b 3 section w/ 3229 swivel/tilt head (rc2 quick release) for $72

How do these look? What are the differences between the heads? How important is a quick release? I can't find any full height specs yet, maybe I need to find the mfgs. site for that. Also is there any difference in the actual monopod between the 679b and the 681b besides the head?

Thanks
Wayne

[kennyclark]

Like cmM, I too have the Manfrotto 681B monopod with the 3229 head and am very happy with it.

Quick release is really useful, it is hard to walk any distance with a giant stick on the bottom of your camera.

Manfrotto's website is available here (http://www.bogenimaging.us).

[Wayne02]

Alright, 681B w/3229 head it is then. I checked the max height spec and it was only 63.5", but a quick search did not turn up any other brands that were appreciably taller.

This does concern me a bit as I have a back injury that is aggravated greatly by poor posture - slumping forward slightly. Even with the additional 2" of head height, it doesn't look like it will be at eye level for me when I'm standing up. Oh well, not much I can do about that.

Thanks
Wayne

[KennyG]

Don't overlook the Velbon Sherpa Pro CF-8. It is very well made and is 189cm extended. The twist locks are better made than those of the more expensive Gitzo. It will handle a 1 series body with a 600mm with room to spare, so your setup wouldn't be a problem. You could see if any of the stores have the Velbon Pro Pod 8 which was the immediate predecessor, as they were being sold a lot cheaper.