Quick release plate for a monopod

[Netskimmer]

I getting ready to purchase a monopod. Probably this one: Amazon.com: Giottos MML3290B 5-Section Aluminum Monopod: Camera & Photo

I would also like to get a quick release system for it and wanted to know if you guys had particularly good or bad experiences with any. I will be using it for my 70-200 2.8 and eventually for a Sigma 150-500 or 50-500 OS so it will need to be strong. Which ones would you recommend and are there any I should avoid?

 

[cgipson1]

Giottos also make great ballheads... with QR capability. I would grab one of those for it. I use a Giottos monopod also, with one of their ballheads. Just pick one in the weight class you want, that is in the price range you want.

I think this is the one I have... Amazon.com: Giottos MH1302-655 Professional Calibrated Ball Head with MH 655 Quick Release: Electronics

 

[Big Mike]

The two main brands/types are Manfrotto and Arca-swiss. Manfrotto heads obviously use one of the Manfrotto type QR systems...while most other (good) brands use a an Arca-swiss type plate system.

Either one should work perfectly well, as long as you get one that is rated for the size of what you are mounting with it. The issue to be concerned with is forward compatibility. For example, I've read several stories of people who had several Manfrotto style plates but then upgraded to some really high end heads etc., and then ended up buying all new plates.

HERE is a good read about QR systems from Really Right Stuff.

 

[Netskimmer]

I don't know if I want to put a ball head, or any other type of head on it. I was kinda thinking just the monopod and quick release system. Do you find it difficult to adjust the ballhead/monopod with a heavy lens? I would think any minor corrections could be made by just tilting the monopod in whatever direction was needed.

 

[SCraig]

I don't know if I want to put a ball head, or any other type of head on it. I was kinda thinking just the monopod and quick release system. Do you find it difficult to adjust the ballhead/monopod with a heavy lens? I would think any minor corrections could be made by just tilting the monopod in whatever direction was needed.

You really want a ballhead. I felt the same way until I got my monopod with a ballhead and it really, really does make it easier to use. You can only tilt so far easily and having a ballhead on it makes a world of difference.

Edit .. Forgot to mention, my head isn't really a ballhead since it only pivots forward and back.

Manfrotto 679B

 

[table1349]

If you are looking at putting long glass on the monopod go with the Arca Swiss. It is more expensive but much more versatile and secure. There is no way I would mount my 400mm f2.8 on my monopod on a manfrotto QR plate. With the Arca Swiss I have a long foot plate that allows me to center the weight of the lens and body over the monopod. Arca Swiss is also nice for body plates if you want to shoot in portrait mode. A ball hear on a monopod for portrait mode defeats the purpose when you put the camera in portrait mode on it's side over the side of the monopod.

Good little tutorial on using a monopod. How To Use A Monopod & Multi-Purpose Tripod

 

[cgipson1]

I don't know if I want to put a ball head, or any other type of head on it. I was kinda thinking just the monopod and quick release system. Do you find it difficult to adjust the ballhead/monopod with a heavy lens? I would think any minor corrections could be made by just tilting the monopod in whatever direction was needed.

How are you going to go into Portrait position if you decide you want to? Or shoot something above you?

I use my D800 (gripped) with my 70-200 quite a bit... have no problem adjusting it. I just put the tip of the monopod on the ground, hold the camera securely in one hand.. loosen the FINE adjustment knob, and then use both hands to adjust the camera to where I want it, keeping a slight downward pressure on the 'pod... then tighten things back up.

Giottos has ballhead sizes from small to huge.. and plates from small to huge also. The plates are ARCA SWISS compatible... and have a wonderful "catch" button... they won't slide out of the head totally until you hit a button, after loosening the knob.

I have two Giottos tripods (one aluminum BEAST.. and a medium weight CF) and one of their monopods as I mentioned earlier. I have three of their ballheads.. from the largest one they make on the large tripod... and two medium ones on the mono and the CF. NO problems.. very secure, they have a coarse and fine adjustment, some have panning capability, and they are rock solid. I won't say they are the BEST out there.. but for the money, I think they are the BEST out there without spending the bucks that RRS or similar would cost. I would say they are as good as Manfrotto.... and that is pretty damn good!

http://www.giottos.com/MH-3.htm I prefer these!

http://www.giottos.com/MH-7.htm These are supposed to be good.. but haven't used them personally

http://www.giottos.com/MH-1.htm haven't used

 

[table1349]

This works very nicely and keeps the weight of the gear over the pod for maximum stability. B1DMkIII-L: L-plate for Mk III & Mk IV - B1DMkIII-L

 

[Netskimmer]

Thanks for that link Gryphonslair99 it was a very interesting read. I had no idea that using the monopod directly perpondicular to the ground was not the best way to go. Have you tried the monopod belts they mentioned? Thanks Charlie, Scott and Mike for the refrence links. I guess I'll do some shopping when I get home tonight.

 

[Robin Usagani]

fk quick release or head. I dont use anything on my monopod . Why do you think you need one? It just screws in and out very quick. Plus if you have not time to release it, its not like a monopod is very heavy. Just pick up the camera and shoot. If you want a sturdy camera on a monopod, just screw it in.

 

[bratkinson]

I started with a low-end monopod with a very-low end ball head that I simply screwed on and off the camera. Worked OK until I graduated from P&S to DSLR about 18 months ago.

So I bought a better (still low end) monopod and a so-so (low end again) ball head. Again screw in the camera. No problem with screw-in as I simply held the camera and spun the monopod. This arrangement was OK until I moved up to Canon L glass. Bigger & heavier. The ball head almost, but not quite, could hold the weight when tilted somewhat, and would slip a bit.

I also didn't like having to screw in a mounting plate to my camera when using the flash bracket I had that allowed reasonably quick change to portrait format with the flash still on top.

One L bracket, a new flash bracket, and higher-end ball head for my monopod and tripod as well, with quick-release plates on each...problem solved.

As to why a full-fledged ball head on a monopod? I have complete freedom to position the camera any way I want relative to the monopod, which may be vertical or somewhat angled. Likewise, my camera may be angled up or down relative to the monopod, making a standard monopod head useless, in my book.

 

[table1349]

Thanks for that link Gryphonslair99 it was a very interesting read. I had no idea that using the monopod directly perpondicular to the ground was not the best way to go. Have you tried the monopod belts they mentioned? Thanks Charlie, Scott and Mike for the refrence links. I guess I'll do some shopping when I get home tonight.

No I don't use a harness or belt. The glass I use is not conducive to a belt. Good monopod technique will provide a surprisingly stable platform to use when a tripod is not practical. It is also very comfortable to use for long periods of time. That is why I suggest and use the Arca-Swiss system. The ability to balance gear on the monopod is very helpful to me, especially if I am shooting for 10 or 12 hours.

 

[Netskimmer]

Giottos has ballhead sizes from small to huge.. and plates from small to huge also. The plates are ARCA SWISS compatible... and have a wonderful "catch" button... they won't slide out of the head totally until you hit a button, after loosening the knob.

I have two Giottos tripods (one aluminum BEAST.. and a medium weight CF) and one of their monopods as I mentioned earlier. I have three of their ballheads.. from the largest one they make on the large tripod... and two medium ones on the mono and the CF. NO problems.. very secure, they have a coarse and fine adjustment, some have panning capability, and they are rock solid. I won't say they are the BEST out there.. but for the money, I think they are the BEST out there without spending the bucks that RRS or similar would cost. I would say they are as good as Manfrotto.... and that is pretty damn good!

MH-3 Professional Heads I prefer these!

MH-7 Professional Heads These are supposed to be good.. but haven't used them personally

MH-1 Professional Heads haven't used

I have a Giottos MTL9371B with a MH3300-658 ball head and I really like them. That's why I am looking at Giottos for my monopod. As I understand it, Giottos and Manfrotto are in the same price/quality range. The 3300 might look a little strange sitting atop a monopod, perhaps a 1311, Giottos says they are rated for about 24lbs.