Monopod Recommendations
May 24, 2019 11:23:09 #
I am looking for a monopod recommendation. I like to shoot a lot of nature -- flowers, insects and the like and get tired of supporting my 100mm macro lens. A lot of times I'm close to the ground or squatting and was thinking perhaps a monopod could help take the weight of my canon 7d mark ii and my lens. I also have a mpe-65 lens with flash that I haven't played with yet. Do you have any recommendations for me. Besides the monopod itself, is that anything else I should get with it? I'm going with an acra swiss system for my tripod and ball head.
May 24, 2019 11:26:59 #
I prefer either Gitzo or RRS for monopods. Carbon Fiber to save weight. I use an RRS head and an RRS clamp on mine. Expensive, but the best, IMHO. About $ 350 for the monopod and the same for the head and clamp. Best of luck.
May 24, 2019 11:43:56 #
Macro is my niche and I don't use either of my monopods for it.....Too limiting
May 24, 2019 12:05:02 #
Pysanka Artist wrote:
I am looking for a monopod recommendation. I like... (show quote)
I certainly would NOT discount using a monopod for close up work down to about 1:2. After 1:2 I don't think I would recommend a monopod - like with a mpe-65 !
Here is the commercial monopod I recommend ( I mostly make my own today) because it collapses to be SHORT (16 1/2 inches) and stout (32mm top tube) and extends fairly high (6 sections, 62 inches) Shortness, makes it much more versatile !
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leofoto-MP-326C-profession-Carbon-fiber-Monopod/173679312854?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372
My head recommendation pans at the TOP so the pod can be at an angle and you can still get a level pan action.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VH-10-2-Way-Fluid-Video-Tilt-Head-360-Panoramic-Ball-Head-For-Tripod-Monopod/322655168431?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372
.
May 24, 2019 12:10:58 #
You can Lash a monopod to a fence rail, post or any other object with a couple 12-18 inch lengths of velcro with a buckle kept wrapped around monopod. I use a 100mm macro with my 60D in this manner. You can stabilize in a lot more positions with the pod. I also use a Gitzo Mountaineer which is not cheap but will serve you for a lifetime. There is NO one fix for ALL situations; Thinking outside the box sometimes works wonders. Dogmatism about ANYTHING is a recipe for failure. The straps are the Bomb... I can't tell you how many times I have lashed the pod horizontally to a split rail for stability in a landscape shot.
May 24, 2019 12:11:43 #
Pysanka Artist wrote:
I am looking for a monopod recommendation. I like... (show quote)
I have several, one is a cheap, but noneless good one. It is the Manfrotto 681B, I think it is sufficient for any shooting and sturdy enough to hold anything I throw at it. I attached a collapsible shoulder support (also Manfrotto) to it, that gives it stability in the horizontal as well. All together, that makes for very comfortable shooting from a monopod!
May 24, 2019 12:16:31 #
speters wrote:
I have several, one is a cheap, but noneless good one. It is the Manfrotto 681B, I think it is sufficient for any shooting and sturdy enough to hold anything I throw at it. I attached a collapsible shoulder support (also Manfrotto) to in, that gives it stability in the horizontal as well. All together, that makes for very comfortable shooting from a monopod!
That collapsible shoulder support sounds interesting... I will look into it. Maybe I am Shaky and don't have VR lenses, but working with a pod just for general usage has increased my keeper rate immensely. I really hate to leave home without it.....
May 24, 2019 12:19:03 #
imagemeister wrote:
I certainly would NOT discount using a monopod fo... (show quote)
Yes, I would not use the monopod for anything greater than 1:1 -- I have a tripod for anything greater. I just want something to take the weight off my arms for the 100mm macro when out in the woods and fields.
May 24, 2019 12:21:16 #
imagemeister wrote:
I certainly would NOT discount using a monopod fo... (show quote)
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
May 24, 2019 12:36:57 #
speters wrote:
I have several, one is a cheap, but noneless good one. It is the Manfrotto 681B, I think it is sufficient for any shooting and sturdy enough to hold anything I throw at it. I attached a collapsible shoulder support (also Manfrotto) to it, that gives it stability in the horizontal as well. All together, that makes for very comfortable shooting from a monopod!
The shoulder brace for a monopod -- is it used primarily when you have the monopod tilting back toward you body? I couldn't find any videos/pictures of its use.
May 24, 2019 13:15:58 #
Pysanka Artist wrote:
The shoulder brace for a monopod -- is it used primarily when you have the monopod tilting back toward you body? I couldn't find any videos/pictures of its use.
It sits flush with the monopod when not in use, but when you want to use it, you just lift it up and put the support on your shoulder the way it fits you best. With one hand, you can push the pod towards your body/shoulder and that just makes it very sturdy. I really like it, it freely rotates around the pod, so it does not matter from what side you use the pod. I see if I can take a few pics and post 'em for you, so you get an idea of what it looks like.
May 24, 2019 13:19:56 #
speters wrote:
It sits flush with the monopod when not in use, but when you want to use it, you just lift it up and put the support on your shoulder the way it fits you best. With one hand, you can push the pod towards your body/shoulder and that just makes it very sturdy. I really like it, it freely rotates around the pod, so it does not matter from what side you use the pod. I see if I can take a few pics and post 'em for you, so you get an idea of what it looks like.
Thanks!
May 24, 2019 13:27:14 #
Pysanka Artist wrote:
I am looking for a monopod recommendation. I like... (show quote)
A Monopod is excellent for stabilizing when using long lenses, but not so great for close to the ground, since they are usually 24" in length. You'll get closer with a tripod that has no center column and can extend the legs to an extreme angle.
Also, a ball head like you'd use on a tripod is useless on a monopod. You need a specialized monopod one direction head.
May 24, 2019 13:45:09 #
i use a lowcost monopod ($25-30 on amazon) w ball head quick release. I support it in my camera bag, with only the first segment pulled out , if at all. I also extend the camera to give additional support from the camera straps -- works for both low light & macro
and the ball mount works just fine, letting you rotate the camera
this setup produces images that are sharp enough at 100% to be accepted at major microstock agencies
and the ball mount works just fine, letting you rotate the camera
this setup produces images that are sharp enough at 100% to be accepted at major microstock agencies
May 24, 2019 14:58:16 #
Pysanka Artist wrote:
Thanks!
Ok, here are a few snapshots (that's all these are, so excuse the lousy quality, but they should suffice for you to get a picture of what that shoulder brace looks like)!
As you can see, my ugly hand points to it, you just lift it up and you can freely rotate it around the monopod. The shoulder "pad" too, folds up and down for a flush fit when collapsed (they even make a slip on/off cushion for it, which I think is totally un necessary). I hope you can see how it works, so you can decide, if that could be helpful! The length too is easily adjustable and it also has a click-stop at the collapsed end!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.