Monopod Suggestions

[sadowsk2]

I've done some searching on this topic but figured I'd try and get everyone'e latest recommendation for a good monopod that I'd like to purchase at B&H when I'm their in NYC next week...

I'm looking for one (preferably a Manfrotto as I've had good experiences with their tripods and I'd like to be able to utilize my 488RC2 head if possible from my current tripod)...

My overall budget is around $200 - $250 bucks, and at most it'd probably have to carry my gripped 5D with a 70-200 f/2.8 IS or my 100-400... I also stand 6'2" tall....

Build quality is important to me on this open... Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly apprectiated!

Thanks!

[ooo]

You could get a gitzo with that price. Manfrottos are around $60-$100. Check out the 681b, it's pretty good and sturdy, about $60-$70.

I picked up myself a 680b because I wanted it to be more compact.

[sadowsk2]

You could get a gitzo with that price. Manfrottos are around $60-$100. Check out the 681b, it's pretty good and sturdy, about $60-$70.

I picked up myself a 680b because I wanted it to be more compact.

Thanks-

I'm actually checking out the 681B right now as we speak (and save some $$$$ in the process)... I'm wondering whether or not to get a separate ball head for it or just swap between my tripod and monopod...

[ooo]

I did that for a while to save money. Right now I have no head on my monopod. I'll probably end up picking up a tilt head (I had a ballhead previously) and I didn't feel it was necessary.

Judging your gear, you have the money :D what's another head?

[SkipD]

I prefer the Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head for use on my monopod (a Manfrotto 680B) and use their 488RC2 ball head on my tripods. One does not need the panning feature on a monopod and a little slip of the ball won't even be noticed while using it on a monopod.

[sadowsk2]

The only other tripod I'm considering I guess aside from the 681B would be the Gitzo GM-2341... I like the fact that its considerably more compact, a bit lighter and the 20lbs would be more than enough to support my equipment and even if I ever hit the lotto and purchased a 400mm f/2.8...

Does anyone have this monopod and even better (yet more unlikely) has anyone ever used both the Gitzo-2341 AND the Manfrotto 681B?

[dekalbSTEEL]

If you are 6'2", get the longest one you can get, especially if you are going to mount it to the tripod ring of your telephoto lenses. That will lower your camera's viewfinder, as opposed to having it mounted to the bottom of your camera.

Nothing worse than having to hunch over to see through the viewfinder:mad:

[SYS]

Take a look at Gitzo GM-3550. It's great for tall people.

[SoundsGood]

680B vs. 681B -- What's the diff?

[ooo]

681 is 3 section, where as 680b is 4 section.

More sections = more compact, but heavier.

I believe 681 can handle more weight, off the top of my head. 681 is also longer when fully extended.

[SoundsGood]

Thanks! Never even knew about the 681.

[SoundsGood]

I prefer the Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head for use on my monopod (a Manfrotto 680B) and use their 488RC2 ball head on my tripods. One does not need the panning feature on a monopod and a little slip of the ball won't even be noticed while using it on a monopod.
Skip, I'm not sure I understand exactly... why not just use the 486RC2 on both the monopod and tripod?

[ooo]

488rc2 can handle more weight, so it would probably be sturdier on a tripod.

486 works better on a monopod because its lighter by half a lb I think.

[Naturalist]

I'm 6', 2" tall and just (three weeks ago) picked up a Manfrotto 679B with a 234 RC swivel head with quick release and find it to be a very nice combination.

[SkipD]

Skip, I'm not sure I understand exactly... why not just use the 486RC2 on both the monopod and tripod?The Manfrotto 486 family (including the RC2 version) is not quite as able to handle off-center weight as the 488 family (also including the RC2 version). The 486 can creep a bit under a load while the 488 tends to stay more solid.

In addition, the 488 family has the panning feature that is quite un-necessary for monopod use but is very useful on a tripod.

[SoundsGood]

So much stuff. ;)

How does a "collar" fit into this mess?

[mep42]

681 is 3 section, where as 680b is 4 section.

More sections = more compact, but heavier.

I believe 681 can handle more weight, off the top of my head. 681 is also longer when fully extended.


The 681B and 680B weigh the same despite different number of tubes

[ooo]

You know what the thing is. The manfrotto site lied to me. 680b is at .83kg and 681b is .8kg. I mean its a tiny difference, but its still a difference :D. I coulda sworn it was more, but I might of mistaken it with another monopod.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/1799

[ed rader]

I've done some searching on this topic but figured I'd try and get everyone'e latest recommendation for a good monopod that I'd like to purchase at B&H when I'm their in NYC next week...

I'm looking for one (preferably a Manfrotto as I've had good experiences with their tripods and I'd like to be able to utilize my 488RC2 head if possible from my current tripod)...

My overall budget is around $200 - $250 bucks, and at most it'd probably have to carry my gripped 5D with a 70-200 f/2.8 IS or my 100-400... I also stand 6'2" tall....

Build quality is important to me on this open... Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly apprectiated!

Thanks!


i have the 5-section model with a manfrotto tilt head/kirk QR and i love it :D.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498012-REG/Benro_450_068_MC_68n6_8x_Carbon_Fiber.html#reviews

ed rader

[mep42]

You know what the thing is. The manfrotto site lied to me. 680b is at .83kg and 681b is .8kg. I mean its a tiny difference, but its still a difference :D. I coulda sworn it was more, but I might of mistaken it with another monopod.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/1799


Yeah i checked B&H and the 680b is 1.69 lbs and the 681b is 1.7 lbs :rolleyes:

[SoundsGood]

Yeah i checked B&H and the 680b is 1.69 lbs and the 681b is 1.7 lbs :rolleyes:
Definitely go for the lighter one!

;)

[ooo]

Well if you want a light one.... gitzo 2561t.... :D only problem is that darn thing only goes up to 56 inches...

[Jon]

So much stuff. ;)

How does a "collar" fit into this mess?That's the tripod mounting collar that some (mostly longer) lenses have, or which can be bought for them. It allows the camera to rotate around the lens axis, from portrait to landscape orientation.

[SoundsGood]

That's the tripod mounting collar that some (mostly longer) lenses have, or which can be bought for them. It allows the camera to rotate around the lens axis, from portrait to landscape orientation.
So, would that be in addition to a ball or head? Or is used in place of a ball or head?

[Jon]

Some people use them in place of one; I don't only use my monopod with lenses that have tripod collars, so I use it in addition to the 486RC2 ball head.

[SoundsGood]

Oh, I see. Thanks!

[gryphonslair99]

Keep in mind a monopod is more than just a glorified stick to support the weight. There are proper techniques for using a monopod effectively.
http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

A ball head on a monopod in portrait mode throws the balance off, even with small glass. A better choice for a monopod for portrait shooting would be either this.
http://www.custombrackets.com/scripts/prodViewnew.asp?idproduct=30

Or what I use which is this.
http://www.kirkphoto.com/lbracketsc.html
On one of these.
http://www.tripodhead.com/products/qr-clamps-main.cfm

I have the Wimberly replacement foot on my 400 f2.8 and trust this combination completely with the 400 f2.8 or with a body and lens.

More expensive but the most stable to shoot from. If you need a tilt option than this, which I believe someone else mentioned, is very nice.
http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/04.html

[ooo]

With the reallyrightstuff, you need to buy a clamp + head and then a separate plate right? So that totals up to be about $300+?

[SoundsGood]

With the reallyrightstuff, you need to buy a clamp + head and then a separate plate right? So that totals up to be about $300+?
Yikes...

[sadowsk2]

With the reallyrightstuff, you need to buy a clamp + head and then a separate plate right? So that totals up to be about $300+?

I've got a RRS angle bracket and a wimberly clamp... so I'm hoping to use that combo on my monopod...

[gryphonslair99]

With the reallyrightstuff, you need to buy a clamp + head and then a separate plate right? So that totals up to be about $300+?

The head is priced with the clamp, you just need to choose between lever style or knob style and separate plate. Personally I would choose the knob style. It has the most clamping strength.

[gryphonslair99]

I've got a RRS angle bracket and a wimberly clamp... so I'm hoping to use that combo on my monopod...

Should work perfect.