Need monopod recommendation for 7D2 + Sigma 150-600

Another big Sirui fan here. The feet on the Sirui are substantially better than those on any other brand of monopod with feet including Manfroto/Bogen offerings. They are just in a different class of stability and strength. You will find reports of the others snapping off. Sirui actually recommends that you stand on the feet for more stability if you want to, the others tell you not to because they will break.

Also, there are two sizes classes with the Sirui and the larger class has bigger feet (broader spread) for greater stability--worth considering.

Not as stable as a tripod and I would not take my hand off with gear on it. You will find videos where people leave a camera on it, push it and let it rock showing it doesn't fall. I consider that foolish. But i do consider it much more stable than a straight monopod. And it is so much faster to set up...

If you get a model where the base can be detached, the base can be used as a tabletop tripod and the stick can be used as a lighter monopod with no base. The base is a significant proportion of the weight. Bottom-heavy is good for a monopod .

I just bought myself Gitzo GM5561T Traveler for Christmas after I saw another photographer using one at Pebble Beach.
It looked so impressive I had to walk over and ask him about it since it looked so substantial but being Carbon Fiber its lighter than the aluminum Manfrotto I was using.
They are expensive but I saw it on sale at Adoroama and grabbed it - all I can say is wow.

My neice got my old Manfrotto for Christmas (she loves it when I buy myself new gear) - the Gitzo collapses to a shorter length and is loads stouter than what I was using.
A very nice piece of gear - and a good match for my big old school Gitzo tripod.

Not sure you will need the larger 5 series Gitzo for your 7D2 & Sigma 150-600. Pair it with your 600mm IS II or 800mm great white - if or when...

I have the Manfrotto 680B (alum) & 2 CF Sirui's: the P326 & the P426S. Do not get sand in the Manfrotto. Hint, that's a real bad idea.

The Sirui's are nice. I like them both. The P326 is so light - yet rock stable. A leg section came apart on the P426S - and it took forever for yours truly to finally learn to reassemble it. Simple once one gets it, but until then? amazingly frustrating. But it's a nice monopod. If one needs a video pod or the ability to stand a rig attached by strap, it's good.

Presently, my kits are pressing reasonable support limits - in that I like the rated limits to be at least 2x the actual rig's weight. So I'm looking long and hard at the 5 series Gitzo.

The head is the real question. I'll caution on the Sirui L-10. With larger bodies and lenses (e.g - 1DX2 + 24-70/2.8 Mk I) the L-10 definitely slips. It's a challenge to lock it down.

I just noticed that Sirui is now selling a L-20 head with higher support ratings (sorry, don't remember specifics).

On lenses with tripod collars, I use a custom Wimberley Sidekick mount which is rigid - except in the vertical axis (pan by turning the 'pod) - details available here: http://www.fredmiranda​.com …/topic/1446430/​1#13880157

The other head worth considering is the $$$ RRS MH01/02 rated +/-75lb? Another tip - one can avoid the need for the rotating clamp head on the MH01 by adding a small nodal rail to the L-bracket or QR plate of a camera without a tripod collar on the lens. The nodal rail changes the attachment direction 90degrees.

enjoy!
dale

Did you use the support base on the Sirui P426S very much? I am trying to decide on getting one with or without the support base. The base seems to add a lot of weight. What's your opinion?

I think that will be more than up to the job!

Until I bought my 4 series Sirui I was using my Gitzo GM2541 (yes 2 series!) mono pod for my (then) 600 F4 L IS and it did the job just fine. It had absolutely no problems supporting this lens (+ a 1D4) - it just looked like a toothpick and didn't inspire confidence!

As to your 5 series? Well let's just say that a Canon 1200 F5.6 L will not be an issue as far as weight is concerned! Happy new toy

Just curious I have the L-10 and it handles my 7D MK II with the 100-400mm or 70-200 MK II easily.
I've had no issues with it slipping and it locks solid.
Its rated for 33 lbs I believe. The L-20S is a nice tilt head and is rated for something like 55lbs.
John

JM45ACP wrote in post #18246361
Just curious I have the L-10 and it handles my 7D MK II with the 100-400mm or 70-200 MK II easily, I've had no issues with it slipping and it locks solid, Its rated for 33 lbs I believe. The L-20S is a nice tilt head and is rated for something like 55lbs.
John

My Sirui L10 is quite happy with my 300 F2.8 L IS and a 1 series body others are quite happy with a 500 F4 on it.

The Sirui's mostly come without a head and you don't have to use a monopod head on them.

I just put one of my tripod heads on my Sirui.

Another head option - https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17575985

dmking wrote in post #18245345
Did you use the support base on the Sirui P426S very much? I am trying to decide on getting one with or without the support base. The base seems to add a lot of weight. What's your opinion?

yes, most recently on a long walking shoot with 1DX2 & 28-300L - a load. when not using the feet, I'd opt for the lighter Sirui or with a long lens - the 5 series gitzo.

johnf3f wrote in post #18246442
My Sirui L10 is quite happy with my 300 F2.8 L IS and a 1 series body others are quite happy with a 500 F4 on it.

perhaps you experienced better balance and less tipping when mounted to the foot on your 300/2.8 tripod collar. or maybe my L-10 head just isn't performing.

in my case, the situation I was thinking about was a small private product shoot - should have been about half a day - max. I had a 1D body with a 24-70/2.8 (brick) - using an L bracket on the body, as the lens is without a tripod collar.

I was shooting "downhill" at a table setup & the L-10 was simply unable to maintain a downward plane without slipping. the constant slipping turned that into a 2 day nightmare. shortly after I added the RRS MH-01, which has been solid.

Gungnir wrote in post #18260406
Another head option - https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17575985

Yes! I'll second Jake's suggestion of attaching a 90degree dual clamp right angle bracket directly to a monopod with a sidekick attached to the perpendicular clamp.

I've used this suggestion and I like it a lot.

It's a bit heavy due to the weight of the sidekick, but otherwise it's great for long lenses - very smooth rotation in the vertical axis.

The L-10 or L-20 might be easier or more practical with shorter glass.

Surprised that a lightweight lens like a 24-70 F2.8 caused problems with your L10, I think there might be something wrong with it?

I was a bit disappointed that it wouldn't handle my Canon 800 F5.6 L IS - well it will but you have to be very careful. However it is fine with my Canon 300 F2.8 L IS and yes the lens is mounted to the head - not the camera.

Others report decent performance with the Canon 500 F4 (I don't have one so cannot comment). Naturally a lot is down to one's uses and expectations but even my, pretty hopeless, Manfrotto 234 handles my 1DX + 24-70 F2.8 V2 without distress. I think there may well be a problem with your example.

Yes the RRS MH01 is the best (but not cheap) option!

johnf3f wrote in post #18263902
Surprised that a lightweight lens like a 24-70 F2.8 caused problems with your L10, I think there might be something wrong with it?

I was a bit disappointed that it wouldn't handle my Canon 800 F5.63 L IS - well it will but you have to be very careful. However it is fine with my Canon 300 F2.8 L IS and yes the lens is mounted to the head - not the camera.

Others report decent performance with the Canon 500 F4 (I don't have one so cannot comment). Naturally a lot is down to one's uses and expectations but even my, pretty hopeless, Manfrotto 234 handles my 1DX + 24-70 F2.8 V2 without distress. I think there may well be a problem with your example.

Yes the RRS MH01 is the best (but not cheap) option!

Me too (re being surprised). It reminded me of lesser ball heads I suffered years ago when used with longer lenses. But it happened - over and over and... both the 1DX2 & the 1D4 with the original 24-70/2.8 defeated the head. Couldn't tighten it down - would repeatedly shift.

I lucked into a "like new" used MH01 at a great (relatively speaking) price. Every once in a while, the fates smile upon us.