Monopod

I appreciate any suggestions for a monopod to be used with a 300 2.8 lens and a 20d body. Hopefully some day I can move up to a 500 f4 also. Thanks.

John 20d, gitzo and stuff

My choice was a Gitzo GM5540 for my 300. Now that I've moved up to a 400, the 5540 even makes more sense. It is expensive but well worth it. It is the best monopod I've used.

+1 on the Gitzo (the current model is the 5541).

Jim - I appreciate your quick response. 5541 is what I've been looking at. Nice to hear from someone who has one. Like I said, someday, I would like to move up to a 400 or 500, so this one makes sense. Thanks again.

NYPhotog - Thanks for confirming what Jim wrote.

John 20d, gitzo and stuff

johnohio wrote in post #8469470
I appreciate any suggestions for a monopod to be used with a 300 2.8 lens and a 20d body. Hopefully some day I can move up to a 500 f4 also. Thanks.

John 20d, gitzo and stuff

I own and use two different monopods.

Manfrotto 681 (same as 681B but in aluminum color) is a tall very sturdy (no problem with a 40D, 400mm f/5.6L lens and Manfrotto Gimbal Mount). It is also very reasonably priced at $59.95 (B&H Photo). The monoppod is fairly light weight (1.7 pounds) considering that it is 63.4" tall and can support 26.4 pounds. It uses flip lock levers which are quite secure. About the only drawback to this pod is that since it is a 3-section pod; it only collapses to 26.4" which might be a bit long for travel purposes.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …lack_.html#spec​ifications

I like flip releases when I am shooting sports. A great YouTube video showing the use of this type of monopod in shooting sports is available at:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=iMgZ13X_pr4

My second monopod is the Calumet 8103 4-Section 8x Carbon Fiber Monopod. I am traveling to China for two weeks this coming spring and wanted a monopod which was both lighter in weight and which collapsed into a smaller package than my Manfrotto 681. I researched tripods from all major manufacturers; Manfrotto, Adorama Flashpoint, GITZO and others. I even surveyed some no-name brands on eBay.

My parameters for the travel monopod were: light weight, tall enough so I didn't have to stoop to look through the viewfinder and I wanted to have a pod which would extend and retract easily and which would solidly support my 40D and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens which would be the heaviest package I planned to use it with. Every monopod I researched seemed to have some problem; weight, closed size, ability to support my package or maximum height. GITZO produces great monopods but, their prices are astronomical.

I finally settled on the Calumet 8103 which fills all of my requirements for a travel monopod.

http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CK8103/

It weighs only .95 pounds, has a maximum extended height of 63.6" and folds down to 20.25". Additionally, it supports a 30 pound maximum payload (It is hard to believe that the payload for this lightweight pod is advertised as more than the payload of the Manfrotto 681). I tend to halve manufacturer's weight specifications but, that would still be adequate for my needs. The 8103 uses twist locks which are very secure and easy to operate. Twist locks are actually better for a travel tripod because monopods with twist locks are easier for me to carry since they don't catch on my clothing and camera straps.

The comparative GITZO model is the GM2541. The specs for this model are just about identical to the 8103 except that it weighs .15 pounds (2.4 ounces) less. However at $240, the Gitzo is $100 more expensive than the 8103. You could get the 8103 AND the KIRK MPA-1 head for the price of the GITZO.

The only small fault with the 8103 is that the supplied bag is not long enough to store the pod with a KIRK MPA-1 head attached and would certainly not be long enough to accept a heavy duty RRS monopod head.

http://www.kirkphoto.c​om …h_Kirk_Quick_Re​lease.html

I like to use an ARCA Compatible monopod head because I can then use a RRS L-bracket to mount non-tripod ring equipped camera/lens combinations. The L-bracket allows you to use your camera in portrait (vertical) position without needing to cantilever the camera over to the side. It is an extremely efficient, albeit costly, solution to the vertical camera problem.

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/QR/05.html

Of course, when using longer lenses with tripod rings, a ARCA Compaitble quick release is not neccessary since you just turn the lens and camera within the tripod ring. Even so, I would seriously consider the RRS heavy duty monopod head for your 300mm f/2.8 uses.

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/tripods/04.html

RPCrowe - Thanks very much for all the information. That's the kind of stuff I was looking for. I appreciate all the detail and the links. The 681 is one that I've been looking at, very affordable but should still carry the weight that I need. It's nice to hear from someone who uses that one. The other one I'm thinking of is the Gitzo 5541 (I think that's the number). HUGE difference in price. I know it's not comparing apples to apples but the 681 could be a temporary solution or at least give me a chance to try it.

Thanks again for your response and all the info.

John 20d, gitzo and stuff

johnohio wrote in post #8471646
RPCrowe - Thanks very much for all the information. That's the kind of stuff I was looking for. I appreciate all the detail and the links. The 681 is one that I've been looking at, very affordable but should still carry the weight that I need. It's nice to hear from someone who uses that one. The other one I'm thinking of is the Gitzo 5541 (I think that's the number). HUGE difference in price. I know it's not comparing apples to apples but the 681 could be a temporary solution or at least give me a chance to try it.

Thanks again for your response and all the info.

John 20d, gitzo and stuff

The 681 is a good inexpensive monopod that should serve well. I had one before moving up to the 5540. The 5540 is in a different class. Once you use it with the big teles, you will appreciate the difference.

Thanks to everybody who responded. Just received my new Gitzo 5541 today. Looks and feels GREAT! I get to use it for the first time tomorrow morning.

John 20D, gitzo and stuff

Great choice. You will love it.