Which Bogen monopod?

[CorruptedPhotographer]

Hi everybody,

So im confused on which monopod to go for :

the three im interested in are :

Bogen 679B 3216

Bogen 680B 3249

Bogen 681B 3218

I am getting them for 20$ less than the cheapest price found on pricegrabber.com

So which one to get? You can see my gear in my signature. I ask this only because there are minor differences among them. They are all roughly the same length (maximied and minimized). the 681B can handle 26.4 lbs compared to 22lbs for the 679 and 680. The 679 and 681 are alittle bit longer than the 680,

Im asking if any one owns any of these and can reccomend it or advise me against it.

They can be found here (http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/itemlist.php3?manufid=1&sectionid=14)

thanks everyone

[gasrocks]

I have 3. My favorite is the new Digi 676B. Very portable.

[lostdoggy]

I got the 679 but wish I got the 680. The Carbon is really nice.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

I got the 679 but wish I got the 680. The Carbon is really nice.


According to bogenimaging.com they are both of Anodized Aluminum . The three I mentioned are all Anodized Aluminum.

why do u wish it was carbon ? lighter? they weigh less than a KG anyways

[Mitcon]

I'm not certain so someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think the Manfrotto & Bogen monos are the same units are they not ? If this is the case I have the 680B and find it quite good.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

I'm not certain so someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think the Manfrotto & Bogen monos are the same units are they not ? If this is the case I have the 680B and find it quite good.

You are correct, I believe they are called Bogen in the US and Manfrotto everywhere else. :)

What made you chose the 680B over the other ones?


I am so confused because there are little differences among the three of them yet different prices but nothing to justify the variance in prices.

[Mitcon]

I picked the 680B for the black finish, I thought the silver might distract wildlife if it catches the sun. As for other reasons they were all so close in design/size and such I didn't think much else as I also got the offer to buy the 680B for $35 less than the others.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

offtopic, I see you also have a 50-500. any thoughts? I recently bought it...the one with HSM ( i think same as yours)..coz there are two versions...

[Mitcon]

All of the EOS mount 50-500 bigma's are HSM I believe, I think the non-hsm is the pentax mount units. As far as I know theres only one version of the 50-500 unless your refering to the discontinued unit ? I can't comment about the older version but many people seem to be very happy with it. I have the DG version which is the same lens just improved lens coatings for digital use.

As for my thoughts on it, I love it. For the price I don't think theres better, I find it quite sharp. I find the weight of it a little bit of work after 4hours or more of handholding it and I am trying to use a monopod with it some also now. I still have to improve alot with the mono use.

I wish it was a little bit faster as it eats up alot of light and this time of year here theres not alot of good light, it either seems to dark or too harsh when it is a bit brighter. Can't wait for spring. I find it quite good at all lengths but I think it's a tad better at the 500 end than the 50. I find I do prefer it stopped at f8-11

[mediamanrit]

For what it's worth, I've got the 679 and I like it. I'm 6'4", and it's almost the right height for me. I've used it with the Bigma a few times (borrowed from a friend) and it holds it fairly well. It is a little heavier then I'd like, but at least it's sturdy.

[lostdoggy]

According to bogenimaging.com they are both of Anodized Aluminum . The three I mentioned are all Anodized Aluminum.

why do u wish it was carbon ? lighter? they weigh less than a KG anyways


Yeap, with a head on it every ounce/kg counts.

[rfreschner]

You are correct, I believe they are called Bogen in the US and Manfrotto everywhere else. :)

They may refer to them as Bogen, but they all say Manfrotto now on the monopods and tripods themselves - no mention of Bogen. Not like the boat anchor (in my sig) I have in my closet that I bought over 20 years ago. :D

I just got the 680B for my birthday (what I asked for) and it's very nice. Admittedly, not a lot of use yet though.

[xuxu1]

I have this one "Manfrotto 681B (Bogen 3218)". I chose it because of it´s well and strong build. Even though i rarely use it, i´m glad i have it for the times i need it.

I´m 6'4" (same size as mediamanrit), and the 681B fully extended has the right height for me.

ED

[CorruptedPhotographer]

thanks for all your input everyone :D

mitcon, if you have a beach near you, try it there. I captured guys n jet skis with 1/500 @ iso 200 and it was perfect, it was about half an hour before sunset, so the light decreasing @ an increasing rate. I cant wait to try it out 3~4 hours before sunset @ the beach

[Mitcon]

I do have a beach within walking distance, I go there quite often and practice tracking Silver gulls in flight. Never see jet ski's down there so maybe there not allowed. I do tend to goto other beaches away from the urban areas looking for Pacific and Kelp Gulls. I saw a Great Skua for the first time last week, it flew so close it almost hit me. Sadly I wasn't quick enough with the camera to get any decent shots. :cry:

[dale65bama]

I followed these posts with interest - I am on the verge of ordering the EF 200mm L and most likely a monopod. What about a head for the monopod? I have never used a really good tripod/head, so am completely open to any input.

Thanks for all the helpful info in past posts to everyone!

[Mitcon]

I think whats best in regards to cameras and accessories is different for most people depending upon budget-intented use-personal likes. Depending or what your shooting you may not even need a head on a monopod. I'd try it without a head first, unless you know for certain you need more flexability for the intended use.

Budget is a big factor as well. Let us know the intended shooting, your budget and if you prefer pan 'n tilt or ballheads, that would narrow it down alot. Maybe make a new thread of it to attract new input/interest from everyone.

For what I do and like, I prefer the range of freedom and speed a ballhead gives me. I use a small Slilk unit for my P&S cams, for most other shooting I use a Manfrotto quickgrip joystick head. The last one I find does creep if your not careful with setting up the correct friction tension, But for the speed in which it can be adjusted I love it. Also for me I have weak thumbs so I find these ideal.

I also have a french ballhead that is solid but quite standard I guess. Alot of people quite like the 488 RC2, for the price it seems quite good. What I will say is for monopod use try for something light weight. I can't comment on the more expensive heads so hopefully the others here can give some input.

[dale65bama]

Mitcon, thanks for the guidance. I sold my 10-yr old 4x4 truck and will invest the proceeds in a couple of good lenses and accessories. Monopod on the order of the Manfrotto 681B. I prefer the primes - here is my tentative list: 1) 200mm f2.8L; 2) 100mm f2.8 macro; 3) 1.4x TC; 35mm for "normal".

Yes, when I get at least the first item, I will post some examples go from there.

Again, thanks to all.

[SkipD]

I chose the 680B for several reasons, but the most important factor was the collapsed length. It is 5 to 6 inches shorter than the 679 and 681 when collapsed. I was also looking at the carbon fiber units (which were in the store, but not on the Bogen website any more), but the price was several times what I paid for the 680B and that put them out of the equation for me.

I am 5' 10" tall, and the 680B with a 486RC2 ballhead mounted puts the camera above my eye level when the monopod is fully extended and held vertically.

The 680B seems plenty sturdy enough to use as a walking stick when I don't have a camera/lens mounted on it.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

SkipD, very good , the 680B is in fact shoter when collapsed because of the 4 way switches. But alas, it holds 22lbs (about 10kg), where as the 681B holds up top 26.5lbs (12kg), I am thinkin in the long run I may have more weight with a fullframe camera and larger lens. Although the shorter collapsable option is nice. I dont know which head to put on it, I feel the joy stick or ball head will make handling the monopod harder. Forget about the 3 way pan tilt head then. I dont know yet...

[xuxu1]

I chose the 680B for several reasons, but the most important factor was the collapsed length. It is 5 to 6 inches shorter than the 679 and 681 when collapsed. I was also looking at the carbon fiber units (which were in the store, but not on the Bogen website any more), but the price was several times what I paid for the 680B and that put them out of the equation for me.

I am 5' 10" tall, and the 680B with a 486RC2 ballhead mounted puts the camera above my eye level when the monopod is fully extended and held vertically.

The 680B seems plenty sturdy enough to use as a walking stick when I don't have a camera/lens mounted on it.

Nice purchase SkipD. As i am am 6' 4" tall the 5 to 6 inches longer don´t bother me at all. :D

Another (slight) difference .... the 680(B) has 4 sections were as the 681(B) has only 3 sections which possibly adds some sturdyness.

ED

[myth337]

FWIW... I have the Manfrotto 334B AutoMono (Cat. No:*3245) with the 234RC Head (quick release)...
Used it very successfully with my Canon XL1 DV Camera...(big and heavy)... and it doesn't even notice the weight of my 300D + Tamron 500mm mirror.
When I shot an ME109... I had a huge old Canon EF 200/F1.8... and it worked great.
(used it for some of my mustang (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84438) shots... 50th/sec #2, and panning #3)

Reason for purchase: at the time, I was doing a lot of video work in big crowds.. (concerts / bars / events) and my back muscles were suffering from several hours of holding the XL1.

Decision factors: walked in to a camera store in Munich, and it was the only one that had the hand trigger to quickly collapse it. (it was there.. worked great.. so I took it home.)

Opinion after several years: I'm 100% pleased with it.. and would have a hard time adjusting to using one without the auto function. It is long enough (puts the viewfinder higher than my eyes.. (i'm 6' 2")) and so far has been short enough. it is light enough.. and pretty stable.

I adjust the bottom segment (twist lock) to almost full length, and can switch from standing position to kneeling fast for low shots... and back again.
(now I'm shopping for a Tripod with similar functionality...)

I see that there are others with more features.. but mine is still like new condition.. and I have no reason to replace it with a heavier more expensive model. (i've never accidentally collapsed it...)

.. Lee

[CorruptedPhotographer]

Nice purchase SkipD. As i am am 6' 4" tall the 5 to 6 inches longer don´t bother me at all. :D

Another (slight) difference .... the 680(B) has 4 sections were as the 681(B) has only 3 sections which possibly adds some sturdyness.

ED

True, the 680B has 4 sections where as the 681B has 3 sections, the 4 section allows it to shorten more than the other, but I felt the opposite. The more sections there are, the more jiggly or jigglier it can get only coz there are more moving parts. My thought...

[SkipD]

True, the 680B has 4 sections where as the 681B has 3 sections, the 4 section allows it to shorten more than the other, but I felt the opposite. The more sections there are, the more jiggly or jigglier it can get only coz there are more moving parts. My thought...My 680B is not "jiggly" at all. While your thought that one less joint would make the unit stiffer has merit, I don't see how my 680B could really be any stiffer than it is. There is no perceptable motion at any of the joints. Yes, the whole thing can bend a little if you torque it, but it isn't loose at all.

In my opinion, absolute stiffness isn't really all that critical with a monopod, as it isn't the same animal as a tripod. The top of the monopod is swinging around with only you hanging on to it. All the monopod is really doing is taking the weight of the camera away from your arms and adding a little stability by not letting the camera/lens rotate freely.

With a tripod, you're wanting the ultimate in stability. There, all three legs need to be stiff in order to keep the tripod's head really steady.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

While your thought that one less joint would make the unit stiffer has merit,....


Yes, the whole thing can bend a little if you torque it, but it isn't loose at all.




My though that with one more section, it "could" be more jiggly.

On the contrary, the 680B is thicker/wider/fatter significantly than the 681B. But alas, it can carry less weight and is shorter when fully extended....im a tall guy some say