Looking for a monopod under 14" collapsed length

I currently have an old Manfrotto 790B monopod. I actually like it fairly well, except that at just about 15" collapsed, it doesn't fit in or on my most commonly carried bag - a Timbuk2 XS messenger. So with winter coming on, meaning shorter days and darker shooting conditions, I'm in the market for something shorter I can pack around with me.

Unfortunately, all the reviews and specs I can find seem to consider anything under 20" as "compact" which means half of the ones I find are actually bigger than the monopod I have now.

So far all I have been able to find that comes close is the Gitzo GM2561T at 14.2" which will end up sticking out of my bag if I add a tilt head.

Has anyone seen a decent monopod under 14" or more preferably around 12" collapsed?

Note that I'm only 5'1", so any extended height over about 45" is acceptable.

Oh, I forgot about the Velbon Ultra Stick M50 at 12.8" but I HATE HATE HATE their quick release system. (Then again at only $39.95, I might learn to live with it.)

I have ->THIS<- and it is just a smidge over 14 with no head on it.

rklepper wrote in post #13123156
I have ->THIS<- and it is just a smidge over 14 with no head on it.

Psssssst:

It looks like a really nice monopod, and I certainly love my Gitzo tripod, but it's only about an inch shorter than my current monopod. Probably sturdier, though.

Yea I think one of those Gitzo Travelers is going to be about the closest, quality option out there...

I went from one of the small Manfrotto Monopods to the Gitzo GM2561T last year.
The twist lock on the Gitzo is so nice compared to the levers on the Manfroto
which seem to catch on everything, when walking thru tall grass and short brush.

If height is a problem when packing it away while traveling, you can always unscrew
the tilt head. I'm currently using the Manfrotto 234RC, but will be changing it out
for something compatable with the Markin Ball Heads when I switch over to them
later this fall, on my GT1541T and the GT3541 tripods.

You might even be able to just put a quick release plate on top the monopod.
I use the quick release plate, but almost never the tilt, as I usually just lean
the monopod slightly up or down to meet my needs.

--Evan

Evan Idler wrote in post #13128089
I went from one of the small Manfrotto Monopods to the Gitzo GM2561T last year.
The twist lock on the Gitzo is so nice compared to the levers on the Manfroto
which seem to catch on everything, when walking thru tall grass and short brush.

If height is a problem when packing it away while traveling, you can always unscrew
the tilt head. I'm currently using the Manfrotto 234RC, but will be changing it out
for something compatable with the Markin Ball Heads when I switch over to them
later this fall, on my GT1541T and the GT3541 tripods.

You might even be able to just put a quick release plate on top the monopod.
I use the quick release plate, but almost never the tilt, as I usually just lean
the monopod slightly up or down to meet my needs.

--Evan

KILLER combo, I have it myself!

And yea, most of the time a QR clamp alone on a monopod is enough.

Yes, I just have a clamp on mine. No need to a ball head for what I use it for.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13128099
KILLER combo, I have it myself!

And yea, most of the time a QR clamp alone on a mono pod is enough.

I saw that and I guess what I meant was that it is great, but it is a little over 14"

meglet wrote in post #13123466
Psssssst:



It looks like a really nice monopod, and I certainly love my Gitzo tripod, but it's only about an inch shorter than my current monopod. Probably sturdier, though.

I love mine and taking it to San Diego for a week's sojourn taking pics.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13128099
KILLER combo, I have it myself!

And yea, most of the time a QR clamp alone on a monopod is enough.

rklepper wrote in post #13128915
Yes, I just have a clamp on mine. No need to a ball head for what I use it for.

This is another option I'm considering, except that there will occasionally be times I'll want the tilt head attached for use with my 100-400mm lens. I guess I need to see what it would take to get a tilt head with a removable QR clamp.

At least if I get the Gizto 2561, it WILL fit in my next size up bag, which my current tripod doesn't. So at least I'd be ahead a little bit.

I have the Kirk / Manfrotto AS compatible head. At 1 pound, it makes the Gitzo top heavy and club-like. Putting it on the belt with the Gitzo strap makes it waggle around when walking. No horrible; I can put the head in a bag until needed. It's still small enough with the head to put the entire thing in a pack. For point and shooting with it, I use the Gitzo ballhead that came with my 1550T. Way lighter and more in keeping with the overall weight requirement of the small camera.

Savas K wrote in post #13138235
I have the Kirk / Manfrotto AS compatible head. At 1 pound, it makes the Gitzo top heavy and club-like. Putting it on the belt with the Gitzo strap makes it waggle around when walking. No horrible; I can put the head in a bag until needed. It's still small enough with the head to put the entire thing in a pack. For point and shooting with it, I use the Gitzo ballhead that came with my 1550T. Way lighter and more in keeping with the overall weight requirement of the small camera.

A 1lb head on a monopod seems like a lot more weight than I'm looking for. Guess I need to go double-check the specs on the RRS and Kirk monpod heads again, then maybe think about a nice light, basic ballhead as well.

meglet wrote in post #13149033
A 1lb head on a monopod seems like a lot more weight than I'm looking for. Guess I need to go double-check the specs on the RRS and Kirk monpod heads again, then maybe think about a nice light, basic ballhead as well.

IMO theres no better option out there for monopod support than the RRS MH-01 monopod head. But while that will be a more stable support foundation, its also going to increase the size of your monopod setup quite a bit.

I have an MH-01 on the top of a series 5 monopod. The monopod being discussed here is one with a pencil thin bottom section.

meglet wrote in post #13122970
I currently have an old Manfrotto 790B monopod. I actually like it fairly well, except that at just about 15" collapsed, it doesn't fit in or on my most commonly carried bag - a Timbuk2 XS messenger. So with winter coming on, meaning shorter days and darker shooting conditions, I'm in the market for something shorter I can pack around with me.

Unfortunately, all the reviews and specs I can find seem to consider anything under 20" as "compact" which means half of the ones I find are actually bigger than the monopod I have now.

So far all I have been able to find that comes close is the Gitzo GM2561T at 14.2" which will end up sticking out of my bag if I add a tilt head.

Has anyone seen a decent monopod under 14" or more preferably around 12" collapsed?

Note that I'm only 5'1", so any extended height over about 45" is acceptable.

Oh, I forgot about the Velbon Ultra Stick M50 at 12.8" but I HATE HATE HATE their quick release system. (Then again at only $39.95, I might learn to live with it.)

i carry a Compact Aluminum 4-Sec. Monopod from Manfrotto, so NOT what you're looking for, but maybe my solution may be valuable to you:

My Monopod has an adjustable hand strap.
I hook my strap to a carabiner hook, and hook the carabiner to the side of my bag. (Or whereever you'd like to clip yours)
Voila, instantly ready, and I never have to touch it, until i'm ready for it... then, flip the hook, and its ready to go.

hope that helps.