Really Right Stuff. Best you can buy. May be the most costly also, but you will never need to buy another.
Gosh that is going to be tough. I faced the a similar situation when my rotator cuff was repaired. Unless you have someone willing to attach, detach and carry your equipment for you, you run the risk of dropping your camera and lens somewhere in the process. And of possibly falling and re- injuring your wrist. Maybe it's a good time to reorganize your photographs.
cjc2
Loc: Hellertown PA
Many to choose from. I prefer, and se, Gitzo and RRS, with a specific RRS Monopod head (MH-02). I also use a Wimberley monogimbal. Perhaps I could suggest an Nikon MH-30 remote to make the shutter easier to operate. Best of luck.
I cannot imagine safely shooting with a Nikon 500mm f 5.6pf lens on a monopod with one hand compromised by a cast. You need two good hands with a monopod.
Instead, try a bean bag on your car window or use a tripod sitting in a chair, or buy or rent a Nikon coolpix p900 until you can safely use your heavier gear.
I like Gatorcoach's suggestion to wait this one out until you've recovered (completely).
My initial post in this tread tried to be politically correct and champion speaking with your surgeon on what is an appropriate level of activity for your wrist and the length of time until full usage might be possibly...
re- injuring your wrist isn't worth all the tea in Wuhan China (in my humble estimation).
I'm actually appalled at those posting in this thread are more concern about damage to kit than compromising the recovery from a complex procedure...
Oh well... In the end "Experience is a brutal teacher", albeit only the naive would likely ignore the wisdom of a surgeon in responsible charge...
Please talk this questionable quest over with your doctor, k?
Again my very best wishes for a rapid and FULL recovery Saleavitt10.
Saleavitt10 wrote:
Good Morning. I need suggestions on a monopod. I will be having right wrist surgery in a month and for about two months my wrist will be in a cast. About the only thing I’ll be able to do is wiggle my fingers and hopefully press the shutter button! I mostly do bird photography. I have a Nikon D500 and D850 that I use in combination with the Nikon 300mm PF and 500mm PF lenses. Sometimes a 1.4 III teleconverter is attached. Since I’ll be pretty much one handed I’m thinking maybe a monopod will allow me to still get to do some shooting while I’m recovering. Thanks in advance.
Good Morning. I need suggestions on a monopod. I... (
show quote)
I had similar surgery about 18 months ago, having my right thumb rebuilt and I am also a birder. I found that the hardest thing to do was grasping/squeezing most anything. It was quite difficult to change my lens or to mount it on a tripod or monopod. I shoot with a Canon 7Dll and 100-400 IS lens so for the most part, I was limited to using the lens without a TC or always having it mounted. My most reliable set-up was a gimbal head on a tripod, slowly and carefully mounting the camera and I did avoid dropping either. I tried using a monopod but have never been very comfortable using it so mostly used the tripod. I also found it easiest to carry any equipment I could in a backpack so I only had to carry the tripod with my left arm.
The recovery period was longer and more difficult than expected, so probably the most useful advice I have is to go easy, be careful with your wrist and limit your outings if they are causing more pain than you expect.
Good luck with the surgery and your recovery.
Two suggestions:
1. A Primos monopod, which requires minimal hand action to extend and shorten. These are normally marketed for use in hunting, but they are able to mount a head for a camera and they do work great for that as well. See
https://www.primos.com/primos-hunting/shooting-sticks/trigger-sticks/trigger-stick-gen3-tall-monopod/c-24/c-115/p-735 You can see demonstrations of this on YouTube. I would pick this monopod if I did not already have a different one which I also like. I don't think this will reliably extend by its weight alone, so you will need to attach an L-shaped bracket at the foot, and step on the bracket while extending the monopod.
2. Any monopod with flip out levers rather than the usual twist levers to loosen the segments. Flip out levers will really save your wrist!
Good luck with the wrist surgery. I had same 2 months ago and it's still tender, so the monopod has come in handy. The post-op physical therapy can be done at home, but don't rush into it too soon.
Mark
Saleavitt10 wrote:
Good Morning. I need suggestions on a monopod. I will be having right wrist surgery in a month and for about two months my wrist will be in a cast. About the only thing I’ll be able to do is wiggle my fingers and hopefully press the shutter button! I mostly do bird photography. I have a Nikon D500 and D850 that I use in combination with the Nikon 300mm PF and 500mm PF lenses. Sometimes a 1.4 III teleconverter is attached. Since I’ll be pretty much one handed I’m thinking maybe a monopod will allow me to still get to do some shooting while I’m recovering. Thanks in advance.
Good Morning. I need suggestions on a monopod. I... (
show quote)
I broke my hand last summer, not a bad break but I was in a splint for five weeks. Aside from the discomfort my hand was quite useless. Even a half a year later I'm still regaining my strength and range of motion. Wait till you have your surgery and see if your monopod idea is still viable. I doubt you'll be able to even change lenses, or use your computer, or maybe even zip your fly. Good luck, you will heal.
Thanks again for all the suggestions and good wishes. The surgery I am having is a proximal row carpectomy (PRC). This involves removing three bones from the bottom row of wrist bones. “Full” recovery can take from 8-12 months. I have been dealing with the pain, limited range of motion and lack of grip strength for over a year so have become very left-handed. I guess I’m just going to have to suck it up and get used to my tripod setup in an open window and take pics of “backyard” birds or talk someone into going with me to carry and deploy the tripod. Can’t miss the spring migration!
I shoot a lot of birds. When I'm walking around looking, I shoot with a carbon fiber monopod with a Wimberley monopod gimbal, but when I'm going to sit and wait for them to come to me I use a good stable tripod and a Wimberley gimbal.
Saleavitt10 wrote:
Good Morning. I need suggestions on a monopod. I will be having right wrist surgery in a month and for about two months my wrist will be in a cast. About the only thing I’ll be able to do is wiggle my fingers and hopefully press the shutter button! I mostly do bird photography. I have a Nikon D500 and D850 that I use in combination with the Nikon 300mm PF and 500mm PF lenses. Sometimes a 1.4 III teleconverter is attached. Since I’ll be pretty much one handed I’m thinking maybe a monopod will allow me to still get to do some shooting while I’m recovering. Thanks in advance.
Good Morning. I need suggestions on a monopod. I... (
show quote)
Try getting your wrist bandaged as it will be post surgery. See how that works.
Practice that way a bit.
Still, rest may be best option.
Best wishes.
Bill
I agree that a monopod is not always the best solution. I use one for walking, particularly downhill, and for holding the camera, even with a long lens, waiting for action to happen— birds, rodeo, parades, etc. But it gets in the way when shooting off-hand (tho sometimes I can put the ballhead in my armpit as a support). With a medium weight tripod I can use it for walking, or leave camera on tripod and walk away, or carry camera away, leave tripod behind and it won't fall down. Maybe baby your surgery for a while, take no pictures, and come back the stronger.
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