Monopod replacement: The lock down clips on my 15 yr old Manfrotto 680B have split & broken. It was a heavy but stout performer. I do a lot of sideline shooting (BB & FB) with some...

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

The lock down clips on my 15 yr old Manfrotto 680B have split & broken. It was a heavy but stout performer.
I do a lot of sideline shooting (BB & FB) with some rather heavy gear, Canon 1DXII & 300 f2.8. Any recommendations for a replacement with an adequate load limit? Are the kind with the tripod legs worth looking at?

(Download)

Quixdraw Loc: x

If you like it parts may be available Link https://www.manfrottospares.com/680b-parts.html

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

quixdraw wrote:

If you like it parts may be available Link https://www.manfrottospares.com/680b-parts.html

Didn't know this was available - THANKS!!!

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

Just out of curiosity checked out the link for the 2007 model. Ass pipe & Ass lever - ordered 2 of each. One in the car & one by the throne. At my age, and things being crazy, you never know when you might need it. 😈😈😈

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

raymondh wrote:

The lock down clips on my 15 yr old Manfrotto 680B have split & broken. It was a heavy but stout performer.
I do a lot of sideline shooting (BB & FB) with some rather heavy gear, Canon 1DXII & 300 f2.8. Any recommendations for a replacement with an adequate load limit? Are the kind with the tripod legs worth looking at?

Well this is why my last tripod and both of my monopods have twist locks.
I have had the lever cam locks break in less than 3 yrs of use and replacement parts seemed to be quite expensive at the time, I replaced the levers and related hdw. with small carriage bolts and knobs.
I only use my monopod for a walking stick these days.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

raymondh wrote:

The lock down clips on my 15 yr old Manfrotto 680B have split & broken. It was a heavy but stout performer.
I do a lot of sideline shooting (BB & FB) with some rather heavy gear, Canon 1DXII & 300 f2.8. Any recommendations for a replacement with an adequate load limit? Are the kind with the tripod legs worth looking at?

Benro MAD49A. The reviews speak for them selves.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1157878-REG/benro_mad49a_adventure_aluminum_series_4.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

slcarn Loc: Draper, Utah USA

billnikon wrote:

Benro MAD49A. The reviews speak for them selves.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1157878-REG/benro_mad49a_adventure_aluminum_series_4.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

I second the Benro. I have the MAD49C, carbon fiber, and have used it with Nikon D850 and lenses from 14mm to 600mm. It is tall which really helps with birds or uneven ground.
Steve

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I much prefer flip out levers, as they are easier on the old wrists and I think they are faster.
My monopod has the little legs and I never use them. If you choose to have them, you may or may not find them useful. They also have a ball and socket swivel at the base, with a knob, and that ##%&$ thing snags on the brush constantly when I carry it around. My next monopod won't have the legs.

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

It doesn't collapse terribly small, but for any work where moving fast is important, I like the Manfrotto Neotec Pro (685B). There are no levers. To extend it you pull up; to collapse it you grip the lever and it goes down.

https://www.manfrotto.com/us-en/neotec-pro-photo-monopod-with-safety-lock-holds-17-6-lbs-685b/

davesit Loc: Media, PA

raymondh wrote:

The lock down clips on my 15 yr old Manfrotto 680B have split & broken. It was a heavy but stout performer.
I do a lot of sideline shooting (BB & FB) with some rather heavy gear, Canon 1DXII & 300 f2.8. Any recommendations for a replacement with an adequate load limit? Are the kind with the tripod legs worth looking at?

With your load weight, definitely do not consider a tripod/monopod combo. You need a stand-alone monopod. You'll get a lot of recommendations here, so I'll put in my two bits. Obviously get a carbon-fiber monopod. They are lighter and the current models also have better carbon fiber technology than ones from 10 years ago. Gitzo and RRS monopods are great, but they are also expensive. If you don't want to spend that kind of money, consider the Feisol monopod:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848842-REG/FEISOL_CM_1471_CM_1471_Rapid_Monopod.html

Leofoto and Sirui are also good choices that won't cost an arm and a leg. Don't get me wrong, I own RRS and Gitzo, but also Feisol and Leofoto as well as far as monopods and tripods are concerned.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

raymondh wrote:

The lock down clips on my 15 yr old Manfrotto 680B have split & broken. It was a heavy but stout performer.
I do a lot of sideline shooting (BB & FB) with some rather heavy gear, Canon 1DXII & 300 f2.8. Any recommendations for a replacement with an adequate load limit? Are the kind with the tripod legs worth looking at?

That’s MANNFROTTO for ya! Did they help you out at all? I had a “mf “Tripod that simply fell apart a year or so after purchase..... my LAST “mfro” purchase. They refused help!! Go elsewhere for gear!!!................................. RJM

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

raymondh wrote:

The lock down clips on my 15 yr old Manfrotto 680B have split & broken. It was a heavy but stout performer.
I do a lot of sideline shooting (BB & FB) with some rather heavy gear, Canon 1DXII & 300 f2.8. Any recommendations for a replacement with an adequate load limit? Are the kind with the tripod legs worth looking at?

If you need speed, the flip locks are faster.

I like this one because it collapses SHORT making it very versatile for many scenarios. - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leofoto-MP-326C-Profession-Carbon-Fiber-Monopod/173283900449?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

This one gets good reviews also - fast and versatile - but does not get SMALL. - https://www.ebay.com/itm/iFootage-Cobra-2-Strike-A150S-3-Section-Aluminum-Telescopic-Monopod-with-Stand/392774997295?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200520130048%26meid%3Da999e6234c6b4b77b5b0d13baac773e9%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D253358405312%26itm%3D392774997295%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithDarwoV3BBEV2b%26brand%3DiFootage&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Ltgk20 wrote:

It doesn't collapse terribly small, but for any work where moving fast is important, I like the Manfrotto Neotec Pro (685B). There are no levers. To extend it you pull up; to collapse it you grip the lever and it goes down.

https://www.manfrotto.com/us-en/neotec-pro-photo-monopod-with-safety-lock-holds-17-6-lbs-685b/

I have and use the Neotec and I like it - but for smaller/lighter gear only.
,

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

Interesting. I've used mine extensively with a 70-400 and occasionally with a 200-600.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have some early-on gear labeled "Bogen" but none of their newer Monfrotto stuff. By all means, buy the parts as long as they are reasonable. Other than that you may want to look into Carbon Fiber (CF) for their lower weight (but much higher cost). My two favorite brands are Really Right Stuff and Gitzo, in that order. There are also some other good, but more reasonably priced, stuff. I won't buy anything that isn't Arca Swiss compatible. Best of luck.