Nikon Rumors Forum » Topic: Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison.

NikoDoby on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

NikoDoby — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:39:09 +0000

Gareth said:
so we can open another monopod thread?

In fact you just convinced me we don't need this thread.

Testing123 on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

Testing123 — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:11:18 +0000

Trekpod (from experience) is awfully flimsy for a SLR monopod.

I _wanted_ a walking stick/monopod hybrid but failed to find one which didn't compromise too much.

So, to your original query:
1 - Try before you buy. A monopod is more "personal" than even a tripod.
2 - Monopod OR walking stick.

Gareth on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

Gareth — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:59:04 +0000

so we can open another monopod thread? I figured we couldn't that's why i posted in here.

NikoDoby on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

NikoDoby — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:21:29 +0000

This thread was suppose to be a comparison between two particular models and not another monopod/tripod/RRS discussion. Back on topic please.

LoveTheBerry on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

LoveTheBerry — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:19:09 +0000

visumax said:
I have the Really Right Stuff Monopod which is 4 section, carbon fiber, and is very light yet sturdy. It has a RRS Pro release clamp on it (they warned me NOT to get the quick release version for obvious reasons). It works great with my RRS quick release plate on camera that lets you switch from monopod, to tripod, to hand held. I really like it but have not tried any others. It is popular and currently back ordered.

Ditto,...RRS seems to be the Best of the Best but is rather expensive. I love the weight and quality construction.

Testing123 on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

Testing123 — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:39:58 +0000

SkintBrit said:
Except shoot portrait?

Exactly. I used a Manfrotto 234RC head on my monopod until I switched to L-plates and now just have an arca-swiss clamp on my monopod.

Leaning a monopod for an extended period of time also sucks with a big lens.

Paperman said:
I get it now - we're talking vertical... I do my vertical shots also with monopod . I can balance it real well with my right hand on the monopod end when it is in shortest form . If there is a tree nearby , I can force & balance the foot of monopod on it sideways - it becomes as steady as if it would be on ground .

If I was willing to count on the "kindness of trees" I wouldn't bother carrying a monopod!

Dealing with a head is just too much hassle for something as simple as a monopod. Might as well carry a tripod - at least you will get guaranteed perfect results .

Not talking a fancy ballhead, just a very small, very simple, very light tilt-head. Hardly in the "might as well carry a tripod" league.

SkintBrit on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

SkintBrit — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:23:19 +0000

SkintBrit on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

SkintBrit — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:20:04 +0000

wind said:
I think he meant portrait as in the camera turned on its side. Unless you were willing to turn the monopod 90 degrees and have it sticking straight out sideways, portrait (as opposed to landscape) shots without a head is bit tricky lol

Yes, that is what I meant.

visumax said:
I have an L plate on my camera, so you can mount it in portrait or landscape on the monopod. The L plate is always on the camera. In most cases I use the monopod for video and that of course is in landscape.

BD3-L: L-Plate for all D3-series cameras from RRS website

I used to have an L plate on my car, but I think you're talking about something else! :-)

visumax on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

visumax — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:27:33 +0000

I have an L plate on my camera, so you can mount it in portrait or landscape on the monopod. The L plate is always on the camera. In most cases I use the monopod for video and that of course is in landscape.

BD3-L: L-Plate for all D3-series cameras from RRS website

Paperman on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

Paperman — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:56:16 +0000

wind said:
I think he meant portrait as in the camera turned on its side. Unless you were willing to turn the monopod 90 degrees and have it sticking straight out sideways, portrait (as opposed to landscape) shots without a head is bit tricky lol

I get it now - we're talking vertical... I do my vertical shots also with monopod . I can balance it real well with my right hand on the monopod end when it is in shortest form . If there is a tree nearby , I can force & balance the foot of monopod on it sideways - it becomes as steady as if it would be on ground .

Dealing with a head is just too much hassle for something as simple as a monopod. Might as well carry a tripod - at least you will get guaranteed perfect results .

Correlli on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

Correlli — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:37:22 +0000

I use the Manfrotto 479B which is an older version of the 679B I believe. I really like it. You can extend it rather tall and it is very robust. I use a cheap ball head on it just to get a little more flexibility. I should add that I used the ball head with an FM2 and primes. I don't own any zooms so weight was not an issue. Even with the D700 and the AI-S primes it isn't much.

wind on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

wind — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:43:35 +0000

I think he meant portrait as in the camera turned on its side. Unless you were willing to turn the monopod 90 degrees and have it sticking straight out sideways, portrait (as opposed to landscape) shots without a head is bit tricky lol

Paperman on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

Paperman — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:59:56 +0000

SkintBrit said:
Except shoot portrait?

Don't really get it SkintBrit... A joke with head-portrait relation :-) or a comment that monopod without head is not OK for portraits ??

visumax on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

visumax — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:34:59 +0000

I have the Really Right Stuff Monopod which is 4 section, carbon fiber, and is very light yet sturdy. It has a RRS Pro release clamp on it (they warned me NOT to get the quick release version for obvious reasons). It works great with my RRS quick release plate on camera that lets you switch from monopod, to tripod, to hand held. I really like it but have not tried any others. It is popular and currently back ordered.

SkintBrit on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

SkintBrit — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:46:30 +0000

Paperman said:
I'd go for the monopod but leave out the head .You can do what the head does by just tipping/slanting the monopod.

Except shoot portrait?

studio460 on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

studio460 — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 03:59:33 +0000

I haven't used any of those mentioned, but I really like the Manfrotto 685B NeoTec. It has a unique "speedgrip," making lens-height adjustments near-instantaneous. I just wish they made it in a carbon fiber version.

Manfrotto 685B NeoTec monopod

Paperman said:
I'd go for the monopod but leave out the head. You can do what the head does by just tipping/slanting the monopod.

Agreed. Get one without a head.

Paperman said:
I rarely go daylight shooting without it. Will be very useful if you use polarizers . Great help down to 1/8 - 1/10 ( wide angle non VR lens ) but not much below that.

Me too! I nearly always have my monopod with me whenever I go out to shoot. I'll second that VR application as well--just as Paper mentions, you can snap tack-sharp images, even at shutter speeds as slow as 1/8th-1/10th, when using a VR-equipped lens in conjunction with a monopod. I've pulled off tack-sharp images even at 1/15th, all the way out to 400mm on a DX body, using a monopod and my AF Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR lens

Gareth on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

Gareth — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 01:42:51 +0000

Anyone have any experience with the following CF monopods:

Slik 382PRO
Feisol CM-1401 Rapid
Giottos MM 8660
Optex MM 8660 (pretty sure this is the same as above)

i need to buy one today if it's the giottos or the fiesol, otherwise i can buy the slik in japan.

The 6 section giottos is the thickest and the shortest folded. The feisol looks nice with the anti rotation legs and the slik i can buy in japan.

Paperman on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

Paperman — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 14:16:24 +0000

I'd go for the monopod but leave out the head .You can do what the head does by just tipping/slanting the monopod.

I rarely go daylight shooting without it. Will be very useful if you use polarizers . Great help down to 1/8 - 1/10 ( wide angle non VR lens ) but not much below that.

The Man From Mandrem on "Looking at monopods. I did do forum search, but didn't find this comparison."

The Man From Mandrem — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:22:03 +0000

679B Bogen & 234RC+shoulder brace

Trekpod Go Pro 123

I have no experience with monopods.

Leaning toward the bogen based on forum comments, but didn't find anyone talk about the Trekpod.

I'm going to France on vacation and in past have used tripod or placed my camera on something in the environment for long time portraits or sceneries. Travelling with wife+2 kids, living out of 3 hand bags for 20 days. Already fllled 1 bag with camera equipment so no room for the tripod. Wondering if a monopod is worth the weight. I have alot of fast glass and don't do alot of long telephoto.