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01/25/2004 05:27:56 PM · #1 |
I am ready to purchase a monopod. I have never owned/used one and I would like some feedback on what is good. I looked at a few Bogen/Manfrotto units on B&H and the only question I have at this point is do they require a separate 'head' and, if so, I need a recommendation on a head as well.
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01/25/2004 05:42:36 PM · #2 |
| You'll want a head IMO. A medium grade ball head should do nicely. Some come as part of the package some don't. Mine didn't so I picked up an inexpensive ball head. I should have spent $10-15 more on a better ball head. |
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01/25/2004 05:52:03 PM · #3 |
I've got the Manfrotto 680 - Manfrotto 680
I have to admit, it seems a bit overkill for a Monopod, because it is really strong and holds up to 22 lbs. It's really light though, and I'm glad I have it. The clips are strong w/quick release, and they don't slip or open unless you want them to. After I bought it, I realized I needed a separate head for the Monopod, but I still haven't bought one to date. I just suffer with my Tripod head.
As for a Monopod head, I recommend the Manfrotto
3265, or something within the Ball Head area with an Action grip.
With the monopod you want something that you can set up easy and drop the camera from landscape to potrait. My Pan/Tilt does not make easy work of this, and I usually find myself fighting it.
The reason I got the 680 was because it breaks down into 4 sections, and makes it easy to travel with. Expect the airport folks to make you break it out and play with it though.
And lastley, go play with the gear. I thought I could mailorder the stuff, until I went to a big shop and played with all of them. These things can get so personal, you'll find yourself picking out little things about each that you love or don't quit care for. I spent a solid hour putting them through the motions.
I'm really happy with Manfrotto/Bogen. Best of luck.
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01/25/2004 05:52:14 PM · #4 |
This is the one I have
As you can see it comes without a ball head. B&H for whatever reason doesn't include the toolkit that mine came with but you won't be needing it. While you can use the monopod straight out of the box the head allows you to tilt the camera while keeping the monopod upright or in whatever well braced position you want. The model I have has both sizes of screw so you can use either standard size. |
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01/25/2004 05:57:13 PM · #5 |
John,
I think that once you get a monopod, that you will really like it. There is a reason that you see so many in the gallery at Pro Golf Tournaments and at major political functions. I currently use 3 manforto heads. The 3229 stays on my monopod. Not a ball, but uses quick detachable plates that are compatible with my 484RC2. I also have a 3026 which is rather substantial. Very secure for heavy lenses/bodies and quick release plates, but they are of a different style than my other two. The Ball units with one tension adjustment are quite fast. Be sure and get the right one for the weight you plan secure. As you know they come in micro, mini, midi, and Monster.....
I like my 3229 head as it rotates landscape and portrait quickly and securely. I don't find that I need the tilt function of a "ball head" on a mono as it's single leg is easy to tilt anyway. However, a ball head is about as versatile as they get. With your 10D and zoom telephotos, I would think that a midi would be plenty. Don't recall their weight rating, but I'm certain that they would be good for 10+ pounds. In fact I think the mini's are rated for over 10 pounds.
The unit that TechnoShroom has is perfect. And at 40 bucks is a great deal. The leg locks look good too. (Lever locks are very fast, you do not want "rotate leg to tighten"). Add a 3229 head with 3-4 detachable plates and you'd be set to go.
Message edited by author 2004-01-25 18:17:03.
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01/25/2004 06:03:14 PM · #6 |
I have the manfrotto 679B (US: 3216) monopod, which is very sturdy. To go with it I have the 234(US: 3232) head. I also have the 460mg (US: 3437) head, which I originally got to use with my tripod, this is very handy as it has a quick release platform.
Message edited by author 2004-01-25 18:18:37. |
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01/25/2004 06:27:00 PM · #7 |
John/tomlewis1980...
The 3437 head is too cumbersome on a mono, in my opinion. My preference of the 3229 over the 3232 is the quick release plates. You can have one on the collar of your bigger lenses and one on the body of your 10D. As you change back and forth, you just snap in, lock, and shoot. The 3232 has to be threaded into each attachment.....just takes more time. But the mechanism of the 3229 is the same as the 3232.
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01/25/2004 06:55:45 PM · #8 |
The 3232 looks real cool. I like how it just swivels on ond axis. That's all you'd need on a monopod. I might get me one.
Originally posted by tomlewis1980:
I have the manfrotto 679B (US: 3216) monopod, which is very sturdy. To go with it I have the 234(US: 3232) head. I also have the 460mg (US: 3437) head, which I originally got to use with my tripod, this is very handy as it has a quick release platform. |
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01/25/2004 07:08:00 PM · #9 |
Daniel,
I will only use the 3437 if I feel I will need the quick release. However I generally use my monopod at sports events where my camera will remain attached to the monopod throughout, so the quick release platform isnt so much of an issue for me (on top of that I dont currently have any lenses with collars). Having said that I have used the 3437 on a few occasions without any problems. |
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01/25/2004 09:51:03 PM · #10 |
| I went to www.bhphoto.com and bought the cheapest monopod I found, just to try out if that would be something that I would like to use, turnes out that even thogh it was about 25$ it's doing a great job for me. |
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01/25/2004 10:52:00 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by oskar:
I went to //www.bhphoto.com and bought the cheapest monopod I found, just to try out if that would be something that I would like to use, turnes out that even thogh it was about 25$ it's doing a great job for me. |
Which one did you buy?
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01/25/2004 11:15:52 PM · #12 |
I bought a Velbon UP-4000 from Amazon about a year ago, and have used it a lot for action shots. Here's a direct link:
Monopod at Amazon
The head is extra. I haven't sprung for one yet.
Good luck.
Message edited by author 2004-01-25 23:16:39.
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01/26/2004 09:53:44 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by tomlewis1980:
Daniel,
I will only use the 3437 if I feel I will need the quick release. However I generally use my monopod at sports events where my camera will remain attached to the monopod throughout, so the quick release platform isnt so much of an issue for me (on top of that I dont currently have any lenses with collars). Having said that I have used the 3437 on a few occasions without any problems. |
Thomas....
I certainly understand your decisions. The 3229 head that I use on my mono uses the same quick release plates that is on your 3437 and has the same landscape to portrait action of your 3232. The advantages for me are the fact that I can have a plate on my 75-300's collar and one on my body w/28-70. When changing lenses, I just snap off the body, place the 75-300 w/plate on the mono, attach body to lense and off I go.
May not be an important consideration for others...but it is a consideration I offer.
The lock mechanism (small brass post under release lever) is quite secure I have found (3437, 3229, 484RC2). Gives me great peace of mind when using the plates. Have you had any problems with yours?
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01/26/2004 10:08:53 AM · #14 |
I use a Bogen 3249B with an Arca-Swiss compatible QR clamp. I have a Kirk L-bracket on my 10D, and this allows me use it very securely in either portrait or landscape orientation, and quickly rotate between the two. Switching to the Arca-Swiss style tripod mount and the Kirk BL-10DG L-bracket is one of the best decisions I've made since getting my 10D. I really disliked all the other QR systems I tried, because they added large, ugly (IMHO) plates to the bottom of the camera, lens tripod mount, etc. The worst part was trying to use the camera in portrait orientation, since you had to rely on your head to hold it "sideways". The L-bracket solves that issue beautifully. The A-S style stuff is custom designed for each camera so it looks nice on the camera, and doesn't get in the way when you're using it handheld.
Message edited by author 2004-01-26 10:18:31. |
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01/26/2004 10:40:06 AM · #15 |
Thanks for all the comments...
I ordered the 3249 monopod with the 484RC2 head...
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