what do I look for in a mono pod
Aug 26, 2013 00:42:01 #
karelowe wrote:
Thanks to all that have given responses. I think ... (show quote)
I will again ask you to note Warranty info, here is a quote from Obens website on their warranty:
Quote:
Warranty Claims Procedure br br In the event of a... (show quote)
Ask yourself why their warranty does not cover repair labor OR shipping either way? To me that sends the message of a warranty that isn't REALLY a warranty. This is the exact reason I declined an offer for dealership of Oben products in my store.
You can read their entire warranty policy here:
http://obensupport.com/info?page=warrantyInfo
Aug 26, 2013 06:33:17 #
Aug 26, 2013 06:57:00 #
Go for a trusted name. I had a Trekpod, monopod with fold out legs, the neck of the ball head snapped off one day causing my D-7000 with attached Tamron 18-270 to go crashing down to the deck. Broke the lense. I called Trekpod, was informed the vendor for them had changed, called the new vendor and they were great. Paid for repair of the lens and replaced the head. It was either a weak spot or a poor job of casting the piece. Now I keep a strap on the camera whenever it is on a monopod just in case.
My other monopod is heavy duty and so far, no problems
My other monopod is heavy duty and so far, no problems
Aug 26, 2013 07:38:43 #
Check the feet, can you prop it on nicely polished wooden floors (no spikes)? Soft ground?
You may want the tilt head to be able to swing your camera to portrait position.
A level in the tilt head is welcome.
Will it fit in your airline checked bag?
You may want the tilt head to be able to swing your camera to portrait position.
A level in the tilt head is welcome.
Will it fit in your airline checked bag?
Aug 26, 2013 07:56:07 #
Any monopod, collapsed with a ball head, is a good choice for places where you can't carry your gun.
Aug 26, 2013 07:58:53 #
TJ28012 wrote:
Any monopod, collapsed with a ball head, is a good choice for places where you can't carry your gun.
Just kidding! Avoid such locations. :-D
Aug 26, 2013 08:03:23 #
NewEnglandPhotoguy
Loc: Chelmsford, MA
This is the one I use. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/655319-REG/Induro_471_524_CM24_Carbon_8X_CM_Series.html
It's extremely light, only 1/2 a turn to release/lock the legs, very strong. I use a Manfrotto head that flips forward and back only. A great combo. I use it for shooting birds with a 300mm lens.
One more point: unlike aluminum, the carbon fiber doesn't feel or transmit cold/heat to your hands. It's always comfortable.
It's extremely light, only 1/2 a turn to release/lock the legs, very strong. I use a Manfrotto head that flips forward and back only. A great combo. I use it for shooting birds with a 300mm lens.
One more point: unlike aluminum, the carbon fiber doesn't feel or transmit cold/heat to your hands. It's always comfortable.
Aug 26, 2013 08:28:43 #
I like the Monostat Monopod, has a large base with swivel function sturdy. I added a Really Right Stuff Monopod head to it, works great
http://www.monostat.com/E/index.php
http://www.monostat.com/E/index.php
Aug 26, 2013 08:47:54 #
Bret wrote:
Well....now that Iv'e also watched that demo....think I'm gonna keep shopping...heavy duty and shot.
Bret. I still prefer the one I made and serves as a hiking staff. It is eye level with the camera mounted. Using a Joby X ball head with the quick release mounted on the camera or long lens. Sure it is long..when I need to get closer to the ground I simply lean the monopod forward and tilt the head...or carry the Joby Gorrila pad. The best feature is I carry the camera attached to the monopod/staff slung over my shoulder with the lens pointed down when on my hikes or walk abouts. It is however not airport friendly
Aug 26, 2013 08:50:55 #
mborn wrote:
I like the Monostat Monopod, has a large base with swivel function sturdy. I added a Really Right Stuff Monopod head to it, works great
http://www.monostat.com/E/index.php
http://www.monostat.com/E/index.php
Hadn't heard of them so I checked the link. Seems they are having some distributor problems, here is the listed website for USA purchases:
http://monostat.us/
And a search of their Canadian distributor shows no product matching the Monostat name on their site at all.
http://www.millercanada.com/advanced_search_result.php?search=1&keywords=monostat&submit=Search
Aug 26, 2013 09:28:18 #
karelowe wrote:
Should a person get one with a ball head or similar?
A ball head head is less crucial on a monopod than a tilt head.
I have the Manfrotto 680B. There is no need to turn (pan) the camera on a ball head, as the monopod has only on tip on the ground and the whole thing turns.
By the same token, I guess you could tilt the whole setup easily, but it probably wouldn't be very comfortable... to a tilt head, I believe, is the way to go (saves you some money in the process). The head I have with this monopod is 234RC.
And yes, I am happy with both 'pod and head.
EstherP
Aug 26, 2013 10:07:42 #
karelowe wrote:
I am getting ready to purchase a mono pod. They are cheap to expensive. What should I really be looking for?
Lee Valley . On line site .
Advertised as a walking stick .I 'Ve used mine with Canon's 100 - to 400 L lens . VERY strong and light weight and a steal for about 25 $ . If you plan on shooting portrait mode you"ll need an accessory head if your lenses don't have rotating collars .
Aug 26, 2013 10:07:59 #
If you want FAST, and well articulated - Manfrotto 685b - one hand adjustable and only two sections. Put a 222 joystick ballhead on it with a 234rc swivel on top of that.
Shown below... About $300 for all. - I use this with 300 2.8
Shown below... About $300 for all. - I use this with 300 2.8
Aug 26, 2013 10:37:50 #
karelowe wrote:
I am getting ready to purchase a mono pod. They are cheap to expensive. What should I really be looking for?
Don't buy a cheap one. My first one was and why not after all it's only a pole with a machine screw on top. First one had the screw crack off. Hard to understand how that could happen. I replaced it under warranty and a year or so later the same thing happened. That did it I went out and bought one for $100 plus, which is still working.
Also keep the camera strap around your neck for extra safety. A couple of years ago while shooting an Ohio State FB Game I saw one of the photographers carrying his camera and big lens by gripping the monopod shaft. The same thing happened to the end of his monopod but he was not wearing the camera strap. The camera and lens bounced on the asphalt track at the edge of the field. I didn't hang around to see the damage but can't imagine it being very minor.
Aug 26, 2013 10:43:29 #
One factor is to consider how you are going to use it between shooting photos. As suggested here many models have several sections so they can collapse to just a few inches when not in use. Another approach is to get a monopod that only has 1 or 2 sections and is about 4 or 5 feet long. The advantage in this is that it can be used as a sturdy walking stick when the camera is not attached. I use this approach in conjunction with a quick realease adapter so I can quickly attach or unattach my camera. This setup is especially good when hiking on uneven terrain.
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