Upgrading to a new Monopod: I really need your help!! I purchased a Magnus VPH-20 Video Pan & Tilt Fluid Head Video head for my Manfrotto 290 Monopod. Works great but now I want to...

bnsf

I really need your help!! I purchased a Magnus VPH-20 Video Pan & Tilt Fluid Head Video head for my Manfrotto 290 Monopod. Works great but now I want to upgrade the bottom of the Monopod and add some feet to it so I can use it as a Mini Tripod but the problem I am having is that the last tube on the Monopod is 5/8" OD and I cannot find any feet with this small opening. The bottom of the aluminum tube is hollow and there is no way to add a nut that will hold the feet tight when it is screwed into the tubing.

I have seen feet for Monopods ranging in price from $25.00 to $50.00. Now the problem I am having is that I have 5 Monopods that I would like to ask you about and get your ideas to see which one would be the best to purchase and which one would stand up by itself with the camera on it.
1.) Neewer Monopod NE10091158
2.) Oben ACM-2400L
3.) Sirui SUP 204SR
4.) Benro 38 FD
5.) Manfrotto Element Mll

Please let me know if you have used any of these Monopods and how they have worked for you as a standing up mini tripod.
Thank you for your help.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

bnsf wrote:

I really need your help!! I purchased a Magnus VPH... (show quote)

There is no way on Gods Green Earth I would trust a monopod with feet standing alone to hold any camera !!!or a cup of coffee for that matter.
Thats a sure recipe for disaster!!!

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

Manglesphoto wrote:

There is no way on Gods Green Earth I would trust a monopod with feet standing alone to hold any camera !!!or a cup of coffee for that matter.
Thats a sure recipe for disaster!!!

That's not the purpose of the feet, at least from my point of view. I have a Manfrotto XPro that both tilts and swivels in the base (very smoothly). Combined with the Manfrotto tilt head, I've finally found the ''right stuff'' in monopods. (however... it's closer to $250 than $50. The feet are for stability, not a coffee holder. 😉

PS to the OP - If you want short support, try a Joby Gorillapod or one of the several clones that can be had for well under a hundred dollars and should present no dropping hazard to your camera.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

niteman3d wrote:

That's not the purpose of the feet, at least from my point of view. I have a Manfrotto XPro that both tilts and swivels in the base (very smoothly). Combined with the Manfrotto tilt head, I've finally found the ''right stuff'' in monopods. (however... it's closer to $250 than $50. The feet are for stability, not a coffee holder. 😉

Nor are they intended to stand alone with a camera attached

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

Manglesphoto wrote:

Nor are they intended to stand alone with a camera attached

Correct. I have no idea where that idea came from, but I see it a lot on the various photo forums. Sadly, I feel certain it would be an expensive lesson.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

bnsf wrote:

I really need your help!! I purchased a Magnus VPH... (show quote)

My monopod once had feet. I hated them so much that I removed them. Feet don't belong on a monopod. As for the base of the monopod, all I care about is how easy is it to expand the length, and how sturdy is it. I have perhaps 6 monopods of various types and even homemade from a Home Depot paint extension handle. They all work fine.

As for the head, I do not like ball-heads on a monopod. The only movement I care about is up/down, and I lock it in place. And I only shoot when I am firmly anchored in some way so that nothing moves.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Feet on a monopod is mostly a gimmick. With a bit of practice you can learn to keep the monopod steady. If you need more stability and support, then use a proper tripod.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

bnsf wrote:

I really need your help!! I purchased a Magnus VPH... (show quote)

I have an aluminum Giotto mono pod( mm9170) from years ago I kept it in the car for a attitude modifier, never did get to or need to use it

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

rook2c4 wrote:

Feet on a monopod is mostly a gimmick. With a bit of practice you can learn to keep the monopod steady. If you need more stability and support, then use a proper tripod.

Try one, you might change your mind?

bnsf

These momopods I had posted are running around $100.00 from B&H. My other Manfrotto 290 monopod new ran around $50.00 w/o the video head when I purchased it from B&H.

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

My wife is using a swivel foot monopod that she also loves... I went and checked it after rereading your list and it's the Benro A38FD. I've used it and like it nearly as well as my Manfrotto and it's about half the price of the Manfrotto. I also checked B&H and they have just the foot for under $40. (3/8-16 threads) I would stress once again that holding an unattended camera safely upright is not their purpose, as someone already mentioned. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Bill_de Loc: US

Manglesphoto wrote:

There is no way on Gods Green Earth I would trust a monopod with feet standing alone to hold any camera !!!or a cup of coffee for that matter.
Thats a sure recipe for disaster!!!

---------------------------

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

JimH123 wrote:

My monopod once had feet. I hated them so much th... (show quote)

Actually for me a ball head on monopod was next best thing to sliced bread... I used a Slik for years... Left hand on pistol grip and right hand on camera body... Lightning fast target acquisition.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I think it's been established that an unsupported monopod isn't a good idea regardless of how good the feet are. That brings us to the real purpose of monopods, which is to provide support and steadiness. Feet on a hand-held monopod aren't going to make it any more steady. In fact they could end up being an encumbrance.

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

R.G. wrote:

I think it's been established that an unsupported monopod isn't a good idea regardless of how good the feet are. That brings us to the real purpose of monopods, which is to provide support and steadiness. Feet on a hand-held monopod aren't going to make it any more steady. In fact they could end up being an encumbrance.

You're right in that it is no more steady, but it's no less steady either and yes, the feet can get in the way if you're not paying attention to what you're doing... but, it is so much more flexible. In fact, it's close to a gimbal without the added weight. It seems much smoother than a ball head, to me. It's all kind of moot anyway if the OP decides as you said, it's too shaky to use the way he had planned?