I've been wanting to ask about monopods...

[Saddlebreds4me]

I received a monopod for Christmas and I tried to play with it once but I was really uncomfortable with it especially because when I have my 80-200 lens on there plus the weight of the camera body - I just don't want to drop it. I know those magnets are strong but I still don't trust them.

Having said that, I need to find something - A couple of weeks ago I was a horse show for one full day of classes - that was on a Saturday, on Sunday I had to try to convince my Basset Hounds that they had to walk themselves and get my coffee because my shoulders hurt so badly after holding that up all day - 2700 photos later...I was cooked - physically done.

My monopod is made by Trek - I know I've got to get comfortable with using something or else it's off to the gym for some shoulder strengthening.

Thanks!

 

[Josh66]

The camera is only held to the monopod by magnets?

I don't think I would trust it either. I'd get something that physically attaches to the camera...

 

[Saddlebreds4me]

It's strange - unless I'm doing something totally wrong. When I put this together, there was an adapter I screwed into the bottom of the camera body but when I went to put it on the monopod it appeared that the only way I could use it was to rely on the magnetic force between the two.

Ummm, I just spent two arms and two legs on this body and my two lenses, and I like to keep them in tact thankyouverymuch - I think I might go a different route. And I know this particular monopod came recommended from many users so that's why I'm wondering if I am doing something incorrectly.

Thanks for the response!

 

[Mindy]

Is the brand Trek-tech? Have you called the manufacturer with this issue? Perhaps there is a part missing or something. Personally, I wouldn't want a magnet anywhere near my cf or sdhc cards. It would wipe them out easily. Good luck.

 

[Saddlebreds4me]

Is the brand Trek-tech? Have you called the manufacturer with this issue? Perhaps there is a part missing or something. Personally, I wouldn't want a magnet anywhere near my cf or sdhc cards. It would wipe them out easily. Good luck.

Mindy - yes, it's a Trek Pod made by Trek Tech - and that's a really good point regarding the magnets - I wonder why they made it that way knowing that the magnets may have a such an adverse effect on the cards....I will contact them and find out.

Thank you for the response!

 

[z06-jim]

I've never heard of a magnetic camera mount either...
I just checked out their web site and it says there is also a locking clip that secures your camera to the MagMount.
Are you using the clip mentioned?

 

[farmerj]

Wow...

I wouldn't even think about putting my camera on something like that. Positive locking for me is a must.

The monopod (less ball head) my kids bought me two years ago. It's always in the truck with me at the least.

 

[kundalini]

Magnets?.... with your gear?..... I wouldn't trust it either.

I got a Manfrotto 685B and a swivel head that works great with D300/D700, long lens and flash attached. It has pneumatic action, so it's a one hand operation to raise and lower.

For a look, clicky.

 

[fast1]

thanks for the link

 

[KmH]

A $400 monopod?

 

[dxqcanada2 1]

Those monopods us a Magmount ball head.
There should be a locking clip to mechanically secure the mounting plate to the ball head.

 

[Saddlebreds4me]

Thanks for all of the suggestions - I will probably be looking into other makes - as I need one badly...but not so much on the magnets...oh and to the poster who asked me if I was using the clip? I honestly tried to, reading the directions and everything (I HATE reading directions...) but don't think I ever got it quite right and like I said, I was not going to chance it.