mbenz7

Will a good Mono pod with or with out feet work with the D500 and a long lens? Going on a trip to several National Parks Yellowstone etc. Air travel to tour then Motorcoach? So room for stuff not abundant ? Any Idea or should I get a very light Tri pod?
Thanks for any Ideas and equipment suggestions welcomed
Mike

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

I use a D7200 with a sigma 150-600 lens. On my monopod I use a Manfrotto 234RC Quick Release. I find it to be working well for me.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

A good Carbon Fiber Monopod should work fine with a good head.Sirui is a good brand. Gitzo is also but more pricey
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1064378-REG/sirui_bsrp224c_p_224c_carbon_fiber_monopod.html

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

A 600mm ZOOM lens works well on a monopod, (you will want a tilt head) but better on a tripod. A 600mm PRIME lens is too much for most monopods but COULD possibly give acceptable results if the light was good enough.
Specifically WHICH lens you are referring to will make a huge difference in beneficial replies.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I am assuming we are talking about a 150-600 ZOOM here and NOT a prime - in which case, a monopod should work fine for you - WITHOUT FEET. They have no practical use - except some of the feet have an adjustable tensioning for the panning rotation of the monopod for following action. Some people "like" the feet but - it is mostly psychological !

A 600 PRIME will be a TOTALLY different !

One of my monopods has a video fluid head for following mostly BIRD action. But the head is rather large and heavy. Here is the lighter smaller head I recommend for what you want....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2D-360-Metal-Panoramic-Panorama-Ball-Head-for-Tripod-Monopod-Quick-Release-Plate/252978401116?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

This head will allow you to pan when the pod is at a slight angle because it rotates at the TOP.

For light to medium weight lenses I prefer the Manfro 685b one hand adjustable monopod. I custom make my monopods for heavier lenses and they are all adjustable from the TOP.

..

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

That is a good head suggestion. It is a knock off of Really Right Stuff brand.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2D-360-Metal-Panoramic-Panorama-Ball-Head-for-Tripod-Monopod-Quick-Release-Plate/252978401116?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Robeng Loc: California

Mike,

My personal experience is the mono pod with a Nikon 600mm Lens is hard to hold steady and shoot at the same time. I would get a good lite tripod. My travel tripod is a carbon fiber Benro with a Really Right Stuff ball head.

Rob

Larryshuman

I own a 600mmF:4 VR nikkor and a Gitzo Gm5561T monopod with a Kirk tilt head. Its workable but really unstable. Lots of front weight with that lens. However I use the monopod easily with my 200~500mmF:5.6 VR. In Yellowstone you would really need a tripod with a 600mm prime. I've been in Yellowstone and used a van with 6 people. We had 600's and 800's with tripods and experienced no problems at all.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

What lens?

Forget about a light tripod, unless you have another use for one. If you are thinking of a 150-600 Sigma or Tamron, or a 200-500 Nikkor, then any of those lenses will give you great results hand-held. All have exceptionally good optical stabilization.

These pictures were taken hand-held with a Sigma Sport 150-600 and a D800. Total weight was around 8.5 lbs. The photographer was a 60 yr old 5 ft tall woman. We could only get to within 2 miles with our car, and had to walk the distance, in soft sand.

Since I got my Sigma Sport in Sept of 2016, I have yet to use it on a tripod. I suggest you try hand-held with whatever lens you get before committing to a tripod or monopod. Any monopod will do, but the more expensive ones are made better and usually much lighter, and you will have to buy a head for it, preferably one that has an arca-swiss compatible clamp that will allow the clamp to work with a long lens and be rotated 90° so that you can use it with a camera plate or L bracket.

Do not expect a lightweight tripod to keep a long lens on a crop sensor stable - you won't be happy with the results.

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rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Are you concerned about bearing weight or providing stability? As far as stability is concerned, I have a MeFoto walking stick / monopod which I use with my birding kit - a 300mm lens mounted on a 4.65-crop Pentax Q-7. The stability requirements are greater than yours, but the weight would be less.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I would strongly recommend either an RRS or Gitzo monopod, Carbon Fiber @ $350 - $400. I would also strongly recommend a RRS monopod head with an Arca Swiss style clamp and a matching plate for your lens. Expensive stuff, but the best stuff and nowhere near as expensive as your 500/4! Best of luck.

dyximan

I have a Benro Mach 3 Tripod with a ball head and removable leg to become a monopod, you can kill 2 birds with one stone. And I mount my Tamron 150 to 600 G2 and it works out ok but a little drop on the tripod so have to aim a little high to compensate.

terpfan Loc: central coast, California

I have a Sirui P-426 monopod which I use with a Jobu Gimbal. The monopod fits easily into my checked luggage. The photo was taken with Canon 7D II and Tamron 150-600 at 600. Set up is light and easy to use

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Great shot! I need a long lens for my D500 and good monopod. Your setup sounds ideal

terpfan Loc: central coast, California

I left off the G2 for the Tamron 150-600.