Monopod recommendation please?

[jgrussell]

I want to add a monopod to my Gitzo 1541 / Markins Q3T combo for the times when it will make more sense. I have a RRS L bracket on my camera now and would like the monopod set-up to mirror the tripod set-up (ease of attachment to a QR bracket). My heaviest lens for the foreseeable future is the 100-400; at most I may eventually upgrade the body to a xxD.

What would you recommend?

[SYS]

How about Gitzo GM-3550 Mountaineer...?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=441790

[Lowner]

I use a Manfrotto carbon fibre 694 with a basic 486 ballhead and a markins QR-60 clamp. I'm very pleased with this for my motorsports, using a 100-400 and a 1.4x TC on a 30D, but a lot of monopod users seem to manage without a ballhead - getting by with the QR clamp fixed directly to the monopod.

This would not suit me, but might work for you. I happen to like the manfrotto lever leg clamps, but again, if you prefer the twist lock operation of the Gitzo, then I'd say your decision has been made. Monopods are simple things and there is little to choose between similar specified 'pods.

Note that while I'm happy with the 486 on the monopod, it was not succesful on the tripod. Just shows that priorities are different on the monopod.

[ed rader]

this is the one i use........

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Ben...3A1%7C294%3A50

and i love it .

ed rader

[C4Miles]

I use the Manfrotto 679B monopod with the 234 tilt/swivel head. Works well for me using the 400L.

[jgrussell]

Thanks, all. I'm leaning at the moment towards a Gitzo 2561T with a Kirk MPA-1 monopod head, mostly on the theory that if I spend now, I will never have to buy another one in my lifetime...

[Jim K]

Another 679B with 234RC user.

I have the 100-400 on it's plate so it will tip up and down. The plate on my 50D is turned the other way so it will shift from landscape to portrait. When on the 100-400 I rotate the lens/camera in the collar to do the landscape/portrait shift.

Works well and the price is right.

Isn't the Kirk head a modded Manfrotto 234 (without the Manfrotto RC)?

Jim

[ben_r_]

I happen to know that a 3 series Gitzo monopod looks great with a Markins Q3T on it

[jgrussell]

Originally Posted by ben_r_

I happen to know that a 3 series Gitzo monopod looks great with a Markins Q3T on it

The Markins is about 2-1/2 times the cost, though!

[jgrussell]

Originally Posted by Jim K

Isn't the Kirk head a modded Manfrotto 234 (without the Manfrotto RC)?

Yeah, it's got the arca swiss QR mod. That's specifically what I would want, so it will work without issue with the RRS L plate and the tripod plates and... And the Gitzo folds up to 14" and weighs about 12 ounces.

[jrsforums]

Originally Posted by jgrussell

Thanks, all. I'm leaning at the moment towards a Gitzo 2561T with a Kirk MPA-1 monopod head, mostly on the theory that if I spend now, I will never have to buy another one in my lifetime...

The 2561T is nice if you want ultra light an small folded down.

I have the GM2540 (now GM2541). I tried a number of heads on it. Eventually I ended up with just an RRS lever clamp. With long-ish lenses, the tilt of the monopod is all you need....and it is much easier to not have to fiddle with a head on a monopod.

Some, such as "birders" and air show enthusiasts, need to shoot up a lot may have a need for a head to angle the mount up. However, if you are one of those you will need greater height in the monopod....something like a GM3551 which is 75", vs. the ~60" of the GM25xx

EDIT: If you really want a tilt head like the MPA-1, RRS shows you how to do it with one of their clamps here: http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/03.html BTW....the Bogen 3232 (now 234) weighs 9.5 oz...almost the weight of the monopod....one of the reasons I decided not to use one. Specs: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...specifications

Also, if you decide to use just a clamp, I would suggest something like the RRS B2 LRII http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Item...R%2DII&eq=&Tp= The center hole is threaded 3/8-16, so goes right on the monopod. The outer holes are 1/4-20 threaded...I use a flathead bolt as a "lock" to ensure the clamp does not get loose.

[jgrussell]

Thanks for the info, John. I'll study it carefully.

[ed rader]

Originally Posted by jgrussell

Yeah, it's got the arca swiss QR mod. That's specifically what I would want, so it will work without issue with the RRS L plate and the tripod plates and... And the Gitzo folds up to 14" and weighs about 12 ounces.

the gitzo is more flexy than i like. i'd check it out if i were you....if you haven't done so already.

ed rader

[ed rader]

Originally Posted by Jim K

Another 679B with 234RC user.

I have the 100-400 on it's plate so it will tip up and down. The plate on my 50D is turned the other way so it will shift from landscape to portrait. When on the 100-400 I rotate the lens/camera in the collar to do the landscape/portrait shift.

Works well and the price is right.

Isn't the Kirk head a modded Manfrotto 234 (without the Manfrotto RC)?

Jim

i have the kirk head and if the truth be known the manfrotto head is quicker to set-up, works just as well and of course is cheaper.

of course there's less slop with the arca swiss QR but i don't think a little slop is an issue with a monopod.

the thing i don't like about the manfrotto is the plate tends to rotate...but that really isn't a big deal.

i used the manfrotto tilt and the monopod i recommended in this thread on safari in africa last year with my 100-400L and it was the hot set-up .

i would stick with the stock manfrotto tilt unless your tripod is also swiss arca.

ed rader

[ben_r_]

Originally Posted by jgrussell

The Markins is about 2-1/2 times the cost, though!

Well I thought you said in your first post that you already had one on your GT1541T. Just share it between the two!