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

Nikon Rumors Forum » Nikon DSLR

[closed]

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

(19 posts) (11 voices)

Started 2 years ago by The Man From Mandrem
Latest reply from NikoDoby
Related Topics:

Tags:

The Man From Mandrem

preferred member
Joined: Aug '10
Posts: 151
offline

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.

Posted 2 years ago #
Paperman

preferred member
Joined: Jul '10
Posts: 297
offline

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.

Posted 2 years ago #
Gareth

preferred member
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 591
offline

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.

Posted 2 years ago #
studio460

preferred member
Joined: May '10
Posts: 1,231
offline

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

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

preferred member
Joined: Jul '10
Posts: 1,149
offline

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?

Posted 2 years ago #
visumax

senior member
Joined: Jul '10
Posts: 58
offline

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.

Posted 2 years ago #
Paperman

preferred member
Joined: Jul '10
Posts: 297
offline

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 ??

Posted 2 years ago #
wind

senior member
Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 66
offline

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

Posted 2 years ago #
Correlli

preferred member
Joined: Jan '11
Posts: 264
offline

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.

Posted 2 years ago #
Paperman

preferred member
Joined: Jul '10
Posts: 297
offline

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 .

Posted 2 years ago #
visumax

senior member
Joined: Jul '10
Posts: 58
offline

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

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

preferred member
Joined: Jul '10
Posts: 1,149
offline

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! :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

preferred member
Joined: Jul '10
Posts: 1,149
offline

Posted 2 years ago #
Testing123

preferred member
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 232
offline

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.

Posted 2 years ago #
LoveTheBerry

preferred member
Joined: Mar '10
Posts: 156
offline

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.

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
offline

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

Posted 2 years ago #
Gareth

preferred member
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 591
offline

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

Posted 2 years ago #
Testing123

preferred member
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 232
offline

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.

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
offline

Gareth said:
so we can open another monopod thread?

Why? Because we need another?
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=3106
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=3012
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=1951
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=3125
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=554
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=1408
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=590
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=753
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=697
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=3188
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=754

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

Posted 2 years ago #