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Monopod Feet: recommendation or advice?
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Feb 10, 2024 20:22:37   #
Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket
 
a6k wrote:
I already have the carbon fiber monopod so the economics favor the attachment. But thanks for the suggestion.


Anytime! Let us know what you decide to do. Always like seeing what others do.
RL

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Feb 10, 2024 20:24:45   #
paulrnzpn Loc: New Zealand
 
a6k wrote:
I already have the carbon fiber monopod so the economics favor the attachment. But thanks for the suggestion.


I must admit that I like the idea of putting a swivel head on the top of a monopod. Although there are other ways of course, a swivel head is something I might look into adding for my monopod.

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Feb 10, 2024 20:27:44   #
Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket
 
paulrnzpn wrote:
I must admit that I like the idea of putting a swivel head on the top of a monopod. Although there are other ways of course, a swivel head is something I might look into adding for my monopod.


It works. I use a gimbal and a RRS ball head depending on what I’m doing. I really like the gimbal because it really allows in restricted movement in all directions. Took me about 2 minutes to get used to it.

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Feb 10, 2024 20:29:06   #
george19
 
C…I own a monopod with feet (as well as a few tripods). Works well on the few occasions I’ve had to use it. Mine has a ball head at the base so it will tilt.

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Feb 10, 2024 21:58:53   #
frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.
 
a6k wrote:
Thank you to all who tried to help. Here is an update.

1. My monopod, it turns out, does not have a common bolt thread on the point. Rather, it has, from Sirui, a proprietary kit that includes an adapter and a sturdy looking tripod that can double as a tabletop tripod. One of you showed pictures of the same thing but on a different model. So I if I want to add a 3 footed adapter I have to spend about twice as much money. The large, flat, circular foot looked interesting, too, but it would not work on my gear. That's a shame.

2. All who point out that a monopod with feet is not a tripod and should not be used that way are correct. Obvious, but true. I have a tripod - two or three, actually - but carrying them around and getting them in and out of the car and then quickly setting up is not what I want right now.

3. When shooting birds, even in good sunshine, I use F8 for DOF and, besides, that is all my reflex lens offers. For the obvious reasons, I use at least 1/000 shutter speed. That means that I'm at ISO 200 already. I am thus already in the corner of the envelope. I'm simply not as steady as I was when young. I use trees, railing, car windows, etc. when available. But the monopod could offer another method. Another stop of shutter speed would help but can introduce noise in the image. I've experimented with this and found that sharpness is reduced from 1/000 to 1/2000 for that reason.

4. My 500 mm reflex lens offers AF and is very sharp. But it doesn't have any image stabilization of its own. My camera, a Sony 𝜶6500 has in-body stabilization but that's much less effective than when the lens also has it. When I rented a Tamron 150-500 the net effect was greater stability. But I haven't made up my mind to spend $1400 quite yet.

4. When shooting with a monopod some axes of motion (such as vertical) are stopped or steadied but some aren't. For example, yaw (left-right motion) is not affected. With a foot such as a little tripod device and a friction-set ball, more of the possible motions are either eliminated or slowed. Pitch is another that can be better. Some of you agree and some of you don't. I lean toward increased resistance to camera motion. The physics and geometry are easy. Real life is sometimes more complicated. At an equivalent of 750 mm, even the tiniest motions are detrimental to sharpness.
Thank you to all who tried to help. Here is an upd... (show quote)


Thank you for this post. Most ops do not come back with their decisions, or more info. This is always appreciated.

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Feb 10, 2024 22:13:04   #
frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.
 
I saw a video by Steve Perry of Backcountry gallery on using mono pods for birding and other stuff. I can not find the link. But here is another one, agreed with everything mentioned here.

https://youtu.be/hBVclM_jCI0?si=Dx2DzJv3LcHiPCuL

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Feb 11, 2024 04:12:08   #
niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA
 
a6k wrote:
Yes, for me it would be a given. But thanks for saying it. I would only use it like a foot-less monopod but hoping to get additional resistance to motion when using long lens (500mm) for birds.


I agree that a fully extended monopod is no place to leave your unattended camera that you paid hundreds or thousands of dollars for, three feet or no three feet. However, mounted directly on the three-legged base can make for a good tabletop tripod... a smaller/lighter camera may be safe with even one section extended. Play with it to find out. But, that's not why I have them and I've seldom used that configuration. They shine when being used to enhance support and flexibility. Many useful tutorials on YouTube will give you ideas for using them. I have one from Manfrotto and one from Benro. I like the Manfrotto better because the base has a nice dampened feel, but the Benro is no slouch and quite a bit less money. OTH, you may like this since it is in line with what you have:
https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Adapter-Monopod-Foldable-Vertical/dp/B07KD4JP2Y/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1TQMTBM5I7J1A&keywords=sirui+three+foot+base&qid=1707642576&sprefix=sirui+three+foot+base%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

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Feb 11, 2024 12:53:11   #
a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel
 
Second update:

The big and expensive option from Siri is attractive but I decided to try a minimalist approach. The suggestion of a large rubber foot gave me the idea that something that would give me a little bit of resistance to movement of the monopod might help. I did some internet searching and eventually found something with a larger bottom surface than the monopod and with a hole into which my monopod's existing "foot" or hoove would fit. I had to order two to get them to accept the order and because Amazon didn't carry it I had to pay for shipping. Here is what I ordered. I will probably post another update at some point. BTW, the Perry video was helpful.

The foot you see here was the only one I could find that would fit and still offer some bottom diameter. I would have liked a bigger bottom surface but so far have not found that.

When jumping in and out of the car, carrying the monopod, etc., this will be easier and lighter than the $75 Sirui product. Of course, a really good tabletop tripod as a bonus might still be the way to go.



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Feb 11, 2024 16:16:41   #
Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket
 
a6k wrote:
Second update:

The big and expensive option from Siri is attractive but I decided to try a minimalist approach. The suggestion of a large rubber foot gave me the idea that something that would give me a little bit of resistance to movement of the monopod might help. I did some internet searching and eventually found something with a larger bottom surface than the monopod and with a hole into which my monopod's existing "foot" or hoove would fit. I had to order two to get them to accept the order and because Amazon didn't carry it I had to pay for shipping. Here is what I ordered. I will probably post another update at some point. BTW, the Perry video was helpful.

The foot you see here was the only one I could find that would fit and still offer some bottom diameter. I would have liked a bigger bottom surface but so far have not found that.

When jumping in and out of the car, carrying the monopod, etc., this will be easier and lighter than the $75 Sirui product. Of course, a really good tabletop tripod as a bonus might still be the way to go.
Second update: br br The big and expensive optio... (show quote)

Please let us know how it works out. Certainly small enough to be interesting.

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Feb 12, 2024 09:32:57   #
NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC
 
a6k wrote:
I have a SIRUI P-326 monopod and I'm quite happy with it. However, I'm thinking about adding a 3-feet attachment to the bottom end. Amazon has several at reasonable prices.

Does anyone have actual experience with:
A. adding feet to existing monopod?
B. a particular brand or model that was either notably good or notably bad?
C. experience with a monopod that has feet, even if it came with them, to suggest that this is a good or bad idea?
D. any "gotchas" to consider that are not immediately obvious?

No, I don't want to use a tripod.

Thanks in advance.
I have a SIRUI P-326 monopod and I'm quite happy w... (show quote)


I use a monopod quite a bit because they are lighter and easier to move around with. Sometimes with extra feet. However, I added a safety and enhanced use item to it. I bought a good padded camera strap and attached it to the monopod. I put it around my neck to help with support and to steady it, and it allows me to use both hands when needed without having to lay the camera and monopod down. I can change lenses, make exposure adjustments etc. with relative ease. I also have the camera strapped to the monopod as well, so if anything slips nothing drops. If I need to move or adjust location it can be quickly done. Maybe not for everyone, but works great for me. I have arthritis in my hips and back, so it lessens the weight and reduces the bulkiness of using a tripod. I still use a tripod, but mostly for shots that need even more support and reduced movement such as closeup or low light ones.

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Feb 12, 2024 11:20:56   #
lightyear
 
I have used tripods for 50 years, monopods for 30 years. I have CF and metal monopods and find litle difference despite the CF being slightly lighter in weight. I found flip locks quicker and more reliable than twist locks. I bought a metal flip lock tripod (brand?) with easily releasing 3 feet which permit it to stand up on its own(only if desired), thinking I MIGHT use that capability and conciously tried to use the feet, but found no use for them since my hand was always on the camera. I use Arca-Swiss style plates/clamps for rigidity, quick attachment. I would be afraid that if I used the 'feet' someone, wind, or my poor monopod placement might knock over an inherently unstable mount, since the feet do not increase rigidity with me holding firmly to camera/monopod setup.

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Feb 15, 2024 19:15:22   #
a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel
 
Update:

The rubber foot (x2) arrived today. I haven't had time to try it out yet but just on a table top it appears to help me greatly reduce camera motion. The non-removable Sirui rubber foot fits snugly into the hole in the rubber foot and that was what I wanted. So far, so good.

This is the Sirui end. Hole is where point comes out
This is the Sirui end. Hole is where point comes o...

Showing monopod inserted into rubber foot
Showing monopod inserted into rubber foot...

Showing flat bottom of rubber foot
Showing flat bottom of rubber foot...

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Feb 16, 2024 11:53:59   #
a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel
 
I took some quick test shots using the big foot and with the monopod fully extended. It seems to help me to steady the camera but, of course, it's no match for a heavy, stiff tripod.

I don't know if three feet on the bottom would be any better but they would certainly be more expensive and more cumbersome. I can leave the big foot in place but to extend three separate feed would be time consuming and sometimes, even often, the birds don't wait.

I am thinking about modifying a traffic type cone next.

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