Monopod -- Carbon or Aluminum? (Page 2): That's probably only because the type of carbon monopod you are using is non conductive. Which also means it will conduct heat away from your...

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

billnikon wrote:

Whenever I shoot in very cold conditions, the Carbon is less cold to hold.

That's probably only because the type of carbon monopod you are using is non conductive. Which also means it will conduct heat away from your body slower than a good metal conductor monopod. Heat transfer usually follows electrical conductivity characteristics.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

hj wrote:

One question. Why would one have expensive equipment out in a storm with lightning?

Because there are millions of great images to be found in a weather system!

Brooklyn-Camera Loc: Brooklyn, New York City

Neither..... Funny thing a few weeks later I was involved in a four car pile up, guess who broke his foot?

joer wrote:

Which is better? A broken leg or a bent one?

(Download)

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

OUCH! Get better quick.

Brooklyn-Camera Loc: Brooklyn, New York City

Thank you....hope to lose this boot by the end of this month.

WayneT wrote:

OUCH! Get better quick.

pking5820

KenProspero wrote:

Apart from a few ounces of weight, what are the reasons for going with Carbon instead of aluminum in a monopod?

I assume that the vibration issue is less significant than with a tripod (if it's even a practical consideration with a monopod).

Supplimental information : I own and have used both. Switched to a Primos instantly adjustable monopod weigh a "V" lens stablizer on top. Love it.
Hope this helps.
Pete

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

KenProspero wrote:

Apart from a few ounces of weight, what are the reasons for going with Carbon instead of aluminum in a monopod?

I assume that the vibration issue is less significant than with a tripod (if it's even a practical consideration with a monopod).

Lighter, won't corrode if it gets wet, won't conduct electricity, looks cool, not as cold when subjected to cold weather.

OldEarl Loc: Northeast Kansas

Glaspark wrote:

Also metal tripods bacome extrememly cold in winter months, carbon fibre much less so

I might point out that 1) a mono-pod is shorter than a photographer, and 2) lightning hits non-conductors such as trees quite a bit.

Also, having some experience with lightning shots--it took me about fifty rolls over a six month period to get the one good print in my basement--you find a human made structure for shelter.

Bushymonster Loc: Oklahoma City. OK.

Aluminum..
-Bushy

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

bcmink wrote:

Amorphous carbon is a conductor; crystalline is not. Carbon is generally considered a semi conductor. Nano tubes are generally treated with graphene to make carbon a reasonable conductor. So a carbon graphite mono pod is conductive, while plain old carbon tubes are poor conductors. If carbon tubing is spec'd as IMG or HMG the tubing will be conductive because of the addition of graphite.

My ohmmeter agrees with you at least on my carbon monopod.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Carbon fiber = "Pro".

Aluminum = "Amateur".

:roll:

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I realize that carbon will conduct electricity but what I was thinking about (if I remember correctly) it won't ionize (or form a charge)so it won't attract lightning where aluminum can.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

KenProspero wrote:

Apart from a few ounces of weight, what are the reasons for going with Carbon instead of aluminum in a monopod?

I assume that the vibration issue is less significant than with a tripod (if it's even a practical consideration with a monopod).

Carbon costs more money - therefore, you can "impress" your friends with how much money you have .....and how serious a photographer you are.

KenProspero

Thanks all for the advice.

FWIW -- I went with the aluminum model and saved the $. Will try to stay inside during thunderstorms in the future (smile).

Ken

jfn007 Loc: Close to the middle of nowhere.

If a tree is alive, the cells of the tree has moisture, water, sap, etc. Trees will conduct electricity. A two by four piece of lumber that is moisture free will not conduct electricity.

OldEarl wrote:

I might point out that 1) a mono-pod is shorter than a photographer, and 2) lightning hits non-conductors such as trees quite a bit.

Also, having some experience with lightning shots--it took me about fifty rolls over a six month period to get the one good print in my basement--you find a human made structure for shelter.