Monopod and Tripod mounts help

[TARPONTIM]

I have a monopod and a tripod and i shoot from a boat.and land. Fish and birds. Can anyone give me advise on what to get for mounts. Is there a universal one. I shoot with the digital rebel i have the 100 400 is and a 28 135 is. THANK YOU. AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

[CyberDyneSystems]

The only Mount that can be considered "universal" is the "Arca" type.

Pioneered by "Swiss Arca" , the design has been adopted by virtually ALL of the high end Camera mounting companeis, (Wimberly, Kirk, Really Right Stuff, etc..)


http://www.kirkphoto.com/qr2thru3.jpg

But it's still NOT universal.. Arca will only work with other Arca plates and releases.

http://www.tripodhead.com/images/fb2.gif

It is up to you the owner to equip all of your bodies and lenses and tripod heads with the same system. Arca could be a good choice.. but it is pricey (approx $40.00 for a single generic lens plate!)

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/media/product_size/bd60L.jpghttp://www.reallyrightstuff.com/media/product_size/192_PPP.jpghttp://www.reallyrightstuff.com/media/product_size/B97L_new_top.jpg

So.. the question would be ,. what system do you have now? (ie what tripod head with what quick replese, if any?)

For the time being it may make sense to "resist" the cal of Arca and get one of Bogen/Manfrottos far less costly systems in place.

I for instance use a combination of Bogen/Mnafrotto "RC2" (about $9.00 per plate) for everything but the really heavy long lenses (which you don't need to worry about ) where I do use Arca.

Manfrotto RC2;
http://www.bogenimaging.us/fileindexednew/module2/item/file0007747.gif
http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=100&itemid=315
At &H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=pagination&A=nextPage&Q=&catId=1&shs=RC2&ci=1&ac=&al=&bl=3&sb=bs%2Cupper%28ds%29&sq=asc&fi=all&com_353164_REG=&com_353188_REG=&com_353190_REG=&com_344301_REG=&com_351375_REG=&com_319567_REG=&com_319558_REG=&com_319566_REG=&com_351379_REG=&com_353219_REG=&com_353221_REG=&com_353223_REG=&com_342515_REG=&com_353324_REG=&com_353319_REG=&com_353320_REG=&com_353322_REG=&com_344330_REG=&com_351380_REG=&com_179176_REG=&pn=3)

Arca info;
Arca at B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=54&shs=&ci=140&ac=&Submit.x=20&Submit.y=11&Submit=Go)

Arca Stuff at Really Right Stuff (http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/tripods/)
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/index.html

Kirk Photo Stuff (http://www.kirkphoto.com/Welcome.html)

[TARPONTIM]

Thank you for the info and the links. Tim

[steven]

I for instance use a combination of Bogen/Mnafrotto "RC2" (about $9.00 per plate) for everything but the really heavy long lenses (which you don't need to worry about ) where I do use Arca.


CDS when you say "really heavy long lenses" how large are you talking and have you had the RC2 ever fail with any heavy set of equipment?

The reason I ask is that I currently only use the RC2 but the largest lens I have is Canon 100-400 and I wanted to make sure I wasn't setting myself up for a fall.

Thanks

[PacAce]

CDS when you say "really heavy long lenses" how large are you talking and have you had the RC2 ever fail with any heavy set of equipment?

The reason I ask is that I currently only use the RC2 but the largest lens I have is Canon 100-400 and I wanted to make sure I wasn't setting myself up for a fall.

Thanks

The 100-400 is not a heavy lens. The RC2 can easily handle it. I also use the RC2 with the 100-400 if I'm using a ball head on the tripod.

[steven]

The 100-400 is not a heavy lens. The RC2 can easily handle it. I also use the RC2 with the 100-400 if I'm using a ball head on the tripod.

So that only leaves around 6 lenses that would be considered heavy:

400mm 4.0 DO - 4.3lb (1940)
300mm f2.8 - 5.6lb (2550)
400mm f2.8 - 11.8lb (5370)
500mm - 8.5lb (3870gm)
600mm - 11.8lb (5360gm)
1200mm - 36.4lb (16500gm)

yes?? or are some of these ok on the RC2 as well? I don't ever recall seeing a specification that mentioned weight refering to the quick release system.

[Scottes]

The 400 DO would work easily on an RC2, and the 300mm f/2.8 should be fine, too. The rest, though, deserve a Wimberly.

And the 1200mm comes with a tripod.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Steven,
PacAce and Scottes have allready answered it for me...
(and list is very close to the mark as well)

It's only the really big telephoto primes (or Sigma's monsterous 300-800mm f/5.6 EX Zoom) that would be totally out of place on an RC2...

I use the RC2 for everything in my kit except from the 100-400mm and 70-200mm f/2.8 IS on down. (and camera plates as well)

...the Arca currently is reserved for the likes of the 500mm F/4.5 EX Prime and 200mm f/1.8

Both of which not only require a more substantial mounting plate (with more than one screw!) they also require a more substantial Tripod and head!

My next trick will be figuring out a way to "mod" the RC2 release system to take Arca plates... :rolleyes:

[KennyG]

I wouldn't use a QRC of any brand on lenses from the 300 2.8IS upwards if you are using a monopod and carry the lens+camera over your shoulder. I have seen tripod users move their equipment the same way and it makes me cringe. Trusting a $3,500 lens and $3,000 camera to a $9 QRC plate with very little clamping does not seem a good idea.

I use a full Wimberley set up with my 500 4IS, probably about twice a year, as any other time it is in use, it resides on a monopod, directly attached. My 300 2.8IS never gets tripod mounted and is also directly attached to a monopod.

Maybe I'm not doing enough lens swaps?

[Scottes]

Maybe I'm not doing enough lens swaps?
Yep Kenny, you're doing it all wrong. :):):):)

[PacAce]

I wouldn't use a QRC of any brand on lenses from the 300 2.8IS upwards if you are using a monopod and carry the lens+camera over your shoulder. I have seen tripod users move their equipment the same way and it makes me cringe. Trusting a $3,500 lens and $3,000 camera to a $9 QRC plate with very little clamping does not seem a good idea.

I use a full Wimberley set up with my 500 4IS, probably about twice a year, as any other time it is in use, it resides on a monopod, directly attached. My 300 2.8IS never gets tripod mounted and is also directly attached to a monopod.

Maybe I'm not doing enough lens swaps?

Kenny, my tripod has three screws that I can tighten to make sure that head is firmly in place. My monopod, however, does not. Does yours? If not, what do you do the keep the weight of the lens and camera from excerting enough torque force to loosen hte bolt? I've always been curious about that. Thanks.

[KennyG]

Kenny, my tripod has three screws that I can tighten to make sure that head is firmly in place. My monopod, however, does not. Does yours? If not, what do you do the keep the weight of the lens and camera from excerting enough torque force to loosen hte bolt? I've always been curious about that. Thanks.

Not a problem as the weight of the lens+camera is directly on the shoulder with the monopod simply to stop it slipping off. You do not allow them to hang over the back with the monopod as a lever. It balances very well, even with my 500. There is next to no torque excerted on the bolt into the lens collar. I do not use a head on the monopod by the way, and have yet to see any of my colleagues do so. The other trick is to slip the camera and lens straps (big lenses have strap options) around your wrist as a safeguard.

I saw a 600mm come off a Bogen QRC fitting on a monopod as a photog was carrying it around Silverstone race circuit and, if it had not been for him having a hold of the straps, there would have been a very expensive set of shattered glass and camera on the concrete paving. He went as white as his lens.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I'm guessing the 300mm is as heavy as the 200mm f/1.8.. and thus I too would be nervous about using it with an RC2.

As for monopods... some of them are too flimsy to toss over a shulder with a heavy lens attached as is, let alone with a small QR plate. It is definately important to match the support to the equipment!