Choosing a Monopod

Wai · 19th November 2002

i will need a monopod for event shoots

which model/brand have the smallest folded height:extended height ratio??

also, it must be able to support the weight of the setup as shown in my avatar at least....

i notice that Slik monopod has a smaller ratio than manfrotto, how about other brands??

Thanks!

Bluestrike · 19th November 2002

just stick your Cam on a bamboo shld do the ttrick liao!

funksoulava · 19th November 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Bluestrike
just stick your Cam on a bamboo shld do the ttrick liao!

Bluestrike

I oso l@@king for one

denizenx · 19th November 2002

2000mm on a monopod or the carbine?

19th November 2002

I just purchased a Manfrotto 434B (Bogen 3218) recently and would definitely recommend it with confidence to anyone who needs solid monopod support. It is rated for a maximum load of 12kg, so with a suitable head it should be more than adequate for your equipment (and will help greatly in taking the load off your arms!).

Having said that, however, since you're looking for a compact solution, I must say that the Manfrotto model is not exactly very compact (its closed length is 67cm excluding the head, about the same as my tripod). If I'm not mistaken, Manfrotto also offers a four-section monopod, so you might want to give that a look, though that will be a bit of a compromise as far as rigidity and ease of setting up is concerned.

The Slik monopods that I'm familiar with are five-section models and (I think) are rated for loads of up to something like 3.5kg, which might still be within the limits of your equipment but you would probably want to be cautious about entrusting the full weight of your heavier lenses to these pods.

DieHarder · 19th November 2002

i would recommend manfrotto 679 (older model version is 479)
$50+, 3 section, 0.6kg weight, 10kg load, 162cm max, 64cm closed.
this monpod is light, 3 section easier to deploy, more stable than 4 section.
only thing is that its 64cm when closed, but should not be a major
issue.
prefer it over its heavier 4 section brother 680 (older model version is 479-4) weighting 0.83kg, although closed length is 51cm, but max height is reduced to 154cm.

also would recommend a light 2.5kg monopod head 234RC @$30+
quite worth since u can share the same plate with 308RC, which the plate alone cost $10+

1 more thing 2 note is the monopod clip is very tight n kinda hurts your fingers

Larry · 19th November 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by DieHarder
i would recommend manfrotto 679 (older model version is 479)
$50+, 3 section, 0.6kg weight, 10kg load, 162cm max, 64cm closed.

i agree... cheap and good.

i'm gonna get mine once the accessory i wanted (the swivel base #234 without QR) is available...

megaweb · 19th November 2002

I m using the SLIK PRO 600 for my 70-200mm f2.8 L ... I use it to take butterfly shots

http://www.thkphoto.com/catalog/s/im...RO_POD_600.jpg

I find tt it is cheap ($85) , light , has quick release and stable ...

Wai · 19th November 2002

hmm..how abt this one??

Slik Monopod 300

weight only 300g (half the weight of yours

)
folded only 51cm (a bit shorter than Pro Pod 600)
extended height 160cm (same as Pro Pod 600)

may be the Pro Pod 600 stronger??

but for me, i want something as small and light as possible and the height also not too short

as long as can take the weight with 70-200 + 550EX can already....

Wai · 19th November 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by DieHarder
i would recommend manfrotto 679 (older model version is 479)
$50+, 3 section, 0.6kg weight, 10kg load, 162cm max, 64cm closed.

seems that manfrotto monopod all are quite long when closed.....

any other brands/models?

megaweb · 19th November 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Wai

may be the Pro Pod 600 stronger??

but for me, i want something as small and light as possible and the height also not too short

as long as can take the weight with 70-200 + 550EX can already....

Yes it is definitely strong enuff for 70-200 + 550EX ... go and try it urself ... I m not sure abt Slik Monopod 300 ...

Wai · 19th November 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by megaweb
I m not sure abt Slik Monopod 300 ...

since Monopod 300 is so much lighter, it may not be as solid as your Pro Pod....anyway, best is to go try it out myself...which shop carries SLIK monopod??

extreme2 · 19th November 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Wai

since Monopod 300 is so much later, it may not be as solid as your Pro Pod....anyway, best is to go try it out myself...which shop carries SLIK monopod??

CP lor.... They are the distributor.

19th November 2002	#1
Wai Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Pole with Penguins Posts: 5,132	Choosing a Monopod i will need a monopod for event shoots which model/brand have the smallest folded height:extended height ratio?? also, it must be able to support the weight of the setup as shown in my avatar at least.... i notice that Slik monopod has a smaller ratio than manfrotto, how about other brands?? Thanks! __________________ We are HDD of PC & FT are MB add to storage; so PC never hangs with enormous storage capacity - LKY

19th November 2002	#4
denizenx Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: L2TPYSG Posts: 4,514	2000mm on a monopod or the carbine? __________________ "I'm... dreaming... of a wide... angle~ Just like the ones I used to know~"

19th November 2002	#5
Midnight Guests Posts: n/a	Re: Choosing a Monopod I just purchased a Manfrotto 434B (Bogen 3218) recently and would definitely recommend it with confidence to anyone who needs solid monopod support. It is rated for a maximum load of 12kg, so with a suitable head it should be more than adequate for your equipment (and will help greatly in taking the load off your arms!). Having said that, however, since you're looking for a compact solution, I must say that the Manfrotto model is not exactly very compact (its closed length is 67cm excluding the head, about the same as my tripod). If I'm not mistaken, Manfrotto also offers a four-section monopod, so you might want to give that a look, though that will be a bit of a compromise as far as rigidity and ease of setting up is concerned. The Slik monopods that I'm familiar with are five-section models and (I think) are rated for loads of up to something like 3.5kg, which might still be within the limits of your equipment but you would probably want to be cautious about entrusting the full weight of your heavier lenses to these pods.

19th November 2002	#8
megaweb Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Posts: 8,106	I m using the SLIK PRO 600 for my 70-200mm f2.8 L ... I use it to take butterfly shots http://www.thkphoto.com/catalog/s/im...RO_POD_600.jpg I find tt it is cheap ($85) , light , has quick release and stable ... __________________ See my Photo Gallery at the Clubsnap \| Pbase

19th November 2002	#9
Wai Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Pole with Penguins Posts: 5,132	hmm..how abt this one?? Slik Monopod 300 weight only 300g (half the weight of yours ) folded only 51cm (a bit shorter than Pro Pod 600) extended height 160cm (same as Pro Pod 600) may be the Pro Pod 600 stronger?? but for me, i want something as small and light as possible and the height also not too short as long as can take the weight with 70-200 + 550EX can already.... __________________ We are HDD of PC & FT are MB add to storage; so PC never hangs with enormous storage capacity - LKY

19th November 2002	#2
Bluestrike Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: There lor~ Posts: 4,843	just stick your Cam on a bamboo shld do the ttrick liao!

19th November 2002	#6
DieHarder Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Posts: 149	i would recommend manfrotto 679 (older model version is 479) $50+, 3 section, 0.6kg weight, 10kg load, 162cm max, 64cm closed. this monpod is light, 3 section easier to deploy, more stable than 4 section. only thing is that its 64cm when closed, but should not be a major issue. prefer it over its heavier 4 section brother 680 (older model version is 479-4) weighting 0.83kg, although closed length is 51cm, but max height is reduced to 154cm. also would recommend a light 2.5kg monopod head 234RC @$30+ quite worth since u can share the same plate with 308RC, which the plate alone cost $10+ 1 more thing 2 note is the monopod clip is very tight n kinda hurts your fingers