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Monopod
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May 9, 2019 22:50:50   #
kashka51
 
I am looking for a reasonable monopod to support my Canon 80D and 150-600mm lens. I also would like some advice on using a ball head, gimbal head or just a tilt head. I really don't know much about this at all. There is so much out there i am at a loss. Thanks

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May 9, 2019 22:59:01   #
RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia
 
I do not use a head with my monopods.
Just make sure you get a monopod that is tall enough for you, because literally it can be a pain in the neck if it is not.
I prefer monopods with flip locks, for the legs, as it means if your hands are wet it is easier to set up than if using twist locks.
I use Manfrotto monopods.

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May 9, 2019 23:01:17   #
kashka51
 
RichardTaylor wrote:
I do not use a head with my monopods.
Just make sure you get a monopod that is tall enough for you, because literally it can be a pain in the neck if it is not.
I prefer monopods with flip locks, for the legs, as it means if your hands are wet it is easier to set up than if using twist locks.
I use Manfrotto monopods.


Thanks First time I have heard about flip locks

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May 9, 2019 23:20:35   #
MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ
 
I am quite happy with my Benro A48FD. It has the flip lock which I also prefer. Its easy to see if they are not closed. Its about 64" tall. With a generic pan/tilt head on it it goes to about 68" more than tall enough for me. What I like best is it come with both a rubber foot and a little "tripod" base with little feet that fold out about 5" and will hold the monopod up on their own. Sometimes I use it to hold my off camera flash. Works great for that. It will also hold up a camera body and small lens but you try that at your own risk. its about $90 plus the pan/tilt head. The head looks like the RRS monopod head but is a Chinese knockoff. Im happy with the build quality and am looking a a Benro CF tripod because I like it so much.

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May 9, 2019 23:26:00   #
kashka51
 
MrT wrote:
I am quite happy with my Benro A48FD. It has the flip lock which I also prefer. Its easy to see if they are not closed. Its about 64" tall. With a generic pan/tilt head on it it goes to about 68" more than tall enough for me. What I like best is it come with both a rubber foot and a little "tripod" base with little feet that fold out about 5" and will hold the monopod up on their own. Sometimes I use it to hold my off camera flash. Works great for that. It will also hold up a camera body and small lens but you try that at your own risk. its about $90 plus the pan/tilt head. The head looks like the RRS monopod head but is a Chinese knockoff. Im happy with the build quality and am looking a a Benro CF tripod because I like it so much.
I am quite happy with my Benro A48FD. It has the f... (show quote)


Thanks Guess it would not be the greatest for my Canon 80D and big lens

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May 9, 2019 23:26:15   #
JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA
 
kashka51 wrote:
I am looking for a reasonable monopod to support my Canon 80D and 150-600mm lens. I also would like some advice on using a ball head, gimbal head or just a tilt head. I really don't know much about this at all. There is so much out there i am at a loss. Thanks


I prefer a tilt head on a monopod. Usually, I need to tilt upward or downward. And I prefer to keep the monopod vertical.

I really don't like using a ball head with a monopod. And see no reason to use it with a gimbal head which is big and heavy.

As for which model monopod, I own several, and it just doesn't seem to matter which I use. Concern yourself with ease of changing height and it's weight. Changing height is something I do a lot. I may use it standing or sitting or some other way, and this is important. I like the flip out switches best. I have one that requires turning to loosen or tighten, and stay away from that kind -- except for one situation I can think of. When wandering around back country in California, which monopod would be the best weapon if I were to be attacked my a mountain lion! The one I have to turn to tighten would be a substantial weapon!

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May 9, 2019 23:30:54   #
kashka51
 
JimH123 wrote:
I prefer a tilt head on a monopod. Usually, I need to tilt upward or downward. And I prefer to keep the monopod vertical.

I really don't like using a ball head with a monopod. And see no reason to use it with a gimbal head which is big and heavy.


Thanks My need would to tilt upwards mostly. I do a lot of birding.

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May 9, 2019 23:41:13   #
JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA
 
kashka51 wrote:
Thanks My need would to tilt upwards mostly. I do a lot of birding.


And when I use it sitting, I often extend it all the way and anchor the base with one of my feet and lean it back to me and use the tilt for the angle I need. I find this position very stable.

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May 9, 2019 23:42:21   #
kashka51
 
JimH123 wrote:
And when I use it sitting, I often extend it all the way and anchor the base with one of my feet and lean it back to me and use the tilt for the angle I need. I find this position very stable.


Good to know!

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May 9, 2019 23:43:37   #
Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV
 
I have a Slik Pro Pod 600 with a ball head. It has flip locks which I like also. Plenty tall enough for me, 6ft tall. I've had it for years and we've covered a lot of miles together. I don't remember what it cost, but very reasonable. I also use a Slik tripod, I like them both very much. And they take a beating and keep on working.

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May 9, 2019 23:48:45   #
kashka51
 
Retired CPO wrote:
I have a Slik Pro Pod 600 with a ball head. It has flip locks which I like also. Plenty tall enough for me, 6ft tall. I've had it for years and we've covered a lot of miles together. I don't remember what it cost, but very reasonable. I also use a Slik tripod, I like them both very much. And they take a beating and keep on working.


Is the ball head sold separately? Thank you

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May 9, 2019 23:58:31   #
williejoha
 
For a big lens like you are talking about, my recommendation would be a sturdy carbon fiber tripod with a gimbal head. I use a gimbal for the 100-400 and consider it a must. IMHO
WJH

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May 10, 2019 00:04:06   #
kashka51
 
williejoha wrote:
For a big lens like you are talking about, my recommendation would be a sturdy carbon fiber tripod with a gimbal head. I use a gimbal for the 100-400 and consider it a must. IMHO
WJH


Thanks for the recommendation!

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May 10, 2019 00:30:35   #
Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV
 
kashka51 wrote:
Is the ball head sold separately? Thank you


Yes. Plenty of choices at Adorama or B&H.

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May 10, 2019 01:17:36   #
MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ
 
kashka51 wrote:
Thanks Guess it would not be the greatest for my Canon 80D and big lens


I would not let it stand on its feet with my D800, battery grip and Tamron 150-600 G2 but using it is great. I think the monopod will hold about 20 pounds.

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