Monopods

[Trever1t]

Suggestions requested for a good monopod. I have a Manfrotto 055XBPRO tripod and am looking for something of similar caliber for times when I can't place a tripod, like indoors in a crowded room.

 

[480sparky]

I have the 560B-1. Really made for video but great for still.

 

[Texas Parrothead]

I am very much interested in the suggestions as well! Need a monopod for when my daughter starts soccer at the age of 3 this fall. PS......I want the same tripod you already have....how do you like it?

 

[kundalini]

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...729-now-thats-knife-okay-its-new-monopod.html

 

[480sparky]

What the website doesn't tell you is that the legs, when folded out, do NOT allow you to have the monopod stand straight up without holding on. The base swivels, allowing for shooting fluid video. So don't get the idea you can walk away from it with a camera on top. It MAY stay put, but most likely you'll end up with a heartache.

The pod itself will remain upright, but I wouldn't ever trust it to stay that way with anything mounted to it.

The nice thing is, it takes the same plates as the 390CR2 head I have on the tripod.

 

[Trever1t]

I was looking at that same unit Kundalini, what head did you go with (part#)? How about the head Amazon has here?
Amazon.com: Manfrotto 685B Neotec Monopod Deluxe with Safety Lock (Black): Camera & Photo

I'm not looking for a stand to hold my camera but rather hold it still enough so I can get away with a slightly slower shutter speed in darker venues, like a church.

Texas Parrothead (Buffet fan?) The 055XBPRO is a great unit for the price. I use it with a 498RC2 head.

 

[Texas Parrothead]

Yeah bit of a Buffett fan!I was just flying back to Texas from San Jose the other week. I was born and raised in Pleasanton and used to own a house in Dublin. We sure do miss it!Thanks for the feedback on the tripod!

 

[Trever1t]

Met Buffett a long long time ago....

 

[penfolderoldo]

I use this from Calumet (for sports I take the head off), tho if you want it to stand up by itself it won't do that. Build quality is superb and it works perfectly with long teles.

 

[Trever1t]

Pen your link only takes me to Calumet's home page. Which monopod do you refer to?

 

[penfolderoldo]

Pen your link only takes me to Calumet's home page. Which monopod do you refer to?

Typical - inbetween me posting the link and you viewing it Trev they've obviously stopped doing that particular deal! but it was basically this head and this monopod.

 

[Destin]

I have a 680b with the 234rc QR head. Works great, I don't see how you can best it for the money. And even ones twice the price aren't any stronger... Just lighter and they have more useless features.

 

[Trever1t]

I looked at that one too. Half the price of the 685b but the 685 does have a useful feature that the 680 lacks....hmm

 

[Trever1t]

SO it's looking like my choice is leaning towards the Manfrotto 685B stick with a 494RC2 ball head. It's a little bit more for that head but I like the versatility of a ball head.

 

[Destin]

SO it's looking like my choice is leaning towards the Manfrotto 685B stick with a 494RC2 ball head. It's a little bit more for that head but I like the versatility of a ball head.

What feature does the 685 have that the 680 lacks? I thought it was just stronger.

And as for the ball head on it... I've never liked that setup. The head I have tilts one way, which is all you really need on a monopod. Heck, I went for a year without a head on mine, an it worked fine. Of course, the lens i use it with has a rotating tripod collar, so that helps. The ball head is just really really akward to adjust on a monopod. Unless you have 3 hands. In which case it will be fine.