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Monopod/Tripod Extension
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Jan 19, 2012 09:48:59   #
dave sproul Loc: Tucson AZ
 
I did a web search using "monopod extension" and among other sites the following came up. It may OR may not work for you. It does require "some fabrication.

http://www.diyphotography.net/the-roller-aerial-monopod

There were several other sites listed -- which I did not open.

Good luck

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Jan 19, 2012 09:50:43   #
Bill MN Loc: Western MN
 
bigphotog wrote:
I use a product from filmtools.com it's a mini hi hat it comes in @6in. and a 10in. You can stack them to get any hight you desire.
They are well made and can suport a heavy camera 20lb+
they have 3/8 stud and hole and consist of three small rods atached to a round plate on each end that is drilld for 3/8.
They are made to mount cameras on diffrent mounts you can get the ph# from the web site.
I don't know if it's on the site sos you woll have to talk to a sales rep. It is a Fillmtools brand.
Also Gitzo makes a tall mono-pod but the taller the the pod the smaller the diamiter for the last leg .

Dave.
I use a product from filmtools.com it's a mini hi ... (show quote)

Thanks I'll check it out. My homemade one works good, it looks factory made on the monopod and it was free.

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Jan 19, 2012 09:51:40   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Here is what I use - Manfrotto #222 Grip ballhead with #234RC swivel head - works great I recommend highly !



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Jan 19, 2012 09:56:37   #
Bill MN Loc: Western MN
 
dave sproul wrote:
I did a web search using "monopod extension" and among other sites the following came up. It may OR may not work for you. It does require "some fabrication.

http://www.diyphotography.net/the-roller-aerial-monopod

There were several other sites listed -- which I did not open.

Good luck

I thought about making one from wood but I'd put it in a metal tube so it wouldn't split open. Did you see my photos?

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Jan 19, 2012 10:07:01   #
Bill MN Loc: Western MN
 
imagemeister wrote:
Here is what I use - Manfrotto #222 Grip ballhead with #234RC swivel head - works great I recommend highly !

That would work good but I made mine from parts I had. I may take the ball head off. Its faster to just tip the monopod for bird shots. The more simple the better I think. Thanks for the photo. Did you see mine?

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Jan 19, 2012 10:17:27   #
Bill MN Loc: Western MN
 
Old Tom wrote:
Instead of increasing the mono-pod length perhaps sit down and the Mono-pod is now above your head.


Hi old Tom. You can come with me and carry the chair or just did a hole for me to stand in if the bird would wait. A rocking chair would be nice and work good too.
Older Bill

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Jan 19, 2012 10:29:51   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
MT Shooter wrote:
wkscheer wrote:
MT Shooter wrote:
Never seen such a contraption. Thats usually what VR lenses are meant for. Best solution might be a Steadi-Cam unit, but they will cost as much or more than your camera did.

I'm in the process of making a 9" extension from a old cutoff tripod leg and attaching a ball head on top. Thanks, but am I the only one that needs this? What about the ones that bought a monopod or tripod that wish they had bought a higher one.


I am 6'5" tall, have one tripod that goes to 7' and one that goes to 9'. Only one 6' monopod and I don't even carry that for wildlife shooting. My first tripod was only a 5 footer, I learned real fast that you had to buy accessories that you could grow with and that lasted forever, both my tripods are over 30 years old now, and I bought the 7' one used.
quote=wkscheer quote=MT Shooter Never seen such ... (show quote)


My monpod is my FIRST choice and is with me constantly - unless I am at a nesting site or using 600mm then Tripod !

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Jan 19, 2012 11:16:32   #
senad55verizon.net Loc: Milford, NJ
 
You may be downplaying your ability to learn how to hold a camera steadily enough to capture birds.

Look a some of the literature developed by gunshooters, who who really require steady holds. Inhale/Exhale/Hold [click]. Squeeze the shutter button, don't punch it. Practicing steady hold technics along with the higher ISO values/shorter exposures available today may let you leave the monopod at home altogether.

Last, a monopod is not really a good steadying device, and would be worse with some kind of extension on the top. Make yourself an inexpensive bipod by getting two 6' long sticks, tying them together with of strong cord at about eye level or a bit higher for shooting up, and prop your camera in the crotch. This stabilizes camera movements up and down and side to side, which are the ones you really need to worry about. Takes a little practice, but it really works.

Good luck!

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Jan 19, 2012 11:47:45   #
twowindsbear
 
wkscheer wrote:
Does anyone know if they make extension tubes for a monopod to attach to the top? It would be useful when photographing birds in tree tops. I'm to shaky to hand hold the camera. No I don't want to buy a longer monopod.


I'm confused. . . do you want your monopod a 'little bit' taller, so you can stand comfortably when you're using it? Or, do you want to extend your cam toward the 'tree tops' to photograph the birds?

I've seen a photographer using a 'painter's pole' to extend his cam to about 10', to shoot over the crowd at a parade & street festival. He also had a remote control for his camera, and a tiny pocket-size TV for a view finder.

Good luck!!

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Jan 19, 2012 12:14:04   #
the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico
 
Go to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy a paint roller extension that goes (extends) to your needed height. Remove the metal threaded end and drill a 1/4" hole in it. Put a 1/4" X 20 X 3/4" bolt through it and secure the bolt with a nut on the outside. Replace the metal threaded cap and add a small ball head and then your camera. You now have a $20.00 solution to your problem and a device we call "camera on a stick."

Remember the f/stops here!

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Jan 19, 2012 12:50:55   #
Bill MN Loc: Western MN
 
When I was young I had no trouble hitting what I was aiming at with a rifle, shot gun or camera. But that was back in the muzzle loader days. I may be better off raising the ISO and shutter speed. I have tried a bipod made from ½ conduit but it's to slow setting up for warblers. Thanks for your suggestions.

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Jan 19, 2012 13:00:02   #
Bill MN Loc: Western MN
 
twowindsbear wrote:
wkscheer wrote:
Does anyone know if they make extension tubes for a monopod to attach to the top? It would be useful when photographing birds in tree tops. I'm to shaky to hand hold the camera. No I don't want to buy a longer monopod.


I'm confused. . . do you want your monopod a 'little bit' taller, so you can stand comfortably when you're using it? Or, do you want to extend your cam toward the 'tree tops' to photograph the birds?

I've seen a photographer using a 'painter's pole' to extend his cam to about 10', to shoot over the crowd at a parade & street festival. He also had a remote control for his camera, and a tiny pocket-size TV for a view finder.

Good luck!!
quote=wkscheer Does anyone know if they make exte... (show quote)


To be able to tip the monopod back somewhat and shoot higher. About a 45º angle.

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Jan 19, 2012 13:08:34   #
picturedude Loc: Yosemite natl. park, Ca.
 
picturedude wrote:
Why not make your own out of PVC pipe? But make it fit the bottom, not the top. Use the smallest diameter pipe your monopod will fit in. Another trick that I have made for when I want my camera to go real high is a pool cleaner pole. (The pretty blue ones.) Simply cut the seperate sections to suit you, using the handle part on the ground, then place your center tripod pole in the open end. Drill a hole through both and put a nut and bolt or large pin in the side to hold it in place. I had to shoot a high school basketball game a few times. I put my camera on the pole then raised the camera over the back board pointing towards the player. Got some great shots that way. I used my long shutter cable to snap the shots. I think it was less than $20 for the whole thing. The poles come in different sizes also.
Why not make your own out of PVC pipe? But make it... (show quote)
I actually made this pole for when I had to get overhead photos of vehicles involved in traffic accidents. Also, very important, when your camera is attatched to the long pole, wrap the camera strap around the pole a few times just in case the camera should break loose. I found that the painters poles were kind of flimsy, and could bend too easy, that's why I went with the pool cleaner pole. I also set up my tripod with a fishing pole holder so I could use the pole hands free.

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Jan 19, 2012 16:16:41   #
nlvhal Loc: North Las Vegas,NV.
 
This is thinking a bit outside the box,but here goes : A few weeks weeks ago I saw similar problem and the workaround was a
little giant ladder (littlegiantladder.com).The unit can be easily transported and it can be extended and it also can be purchased with a working platform.
Hope this may be helpful to you.

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Jan 19, 2012 16:20:40   #
twowindsbear
 
wkscheer wrote:
twowindsbear wrote:
wkscheer wrote:
Does anyone know if they make extension tubes for a monopod to attach to the top? It would be useful when photographing birds in tree tops. I'm to shaky to hand hold the camera. No I don't want to buy a longer monopod.


I'm confused. . . do you want your monopod a 'little bit' taller, so you can stand comfortably when you're using it? Or, do you want to extend your cam toward the 'tree tops' to photograph the birds?

I've seen a photographer using a 'painter's pole' to extend his cam to about 10', to shoot over the crowd at a parade & street festival. He also had a remote control for his camera, and a tiny pocket-size TV for a view finder.

Good luck!!
quote=wkscheer Does anyone know if they make exte... (show quote)


To be able to tip the monopod back somewhat and shoot higher. About a 45º angle.
quote=twowindsbear quote=wkscheer Does anyone kn... (show quote)


Ah, ok. Perhaps use a ball head, or a tilt-pan head on your monopod?

BTW, I've not used a monopod, I either hand hold, use a convenient 'brace', or drag out the tripod.

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