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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Monopod on Belt
Matt Kartozian, Photographer
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Scottsdale | AZ | USA | Posted: 1:52 AM on 07.09.09 |
->> I saw a lot of guys using similar setups last weekend at Moto GP. Just wondering if anyone here has made/used one and what did you use for belt setup, If you have used something like this what did you like/dislike about it? What ballhead did you use?
Its something I want to try out.
http://tinypic.com/r/2e4ltus/3 |
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Marcell van Aswegen, Photographer
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Pretoria | GP | South Africa | Posted: 3:49 AM on 07.09.09 |
->> I use a monopod in belt pouch exclusively for my motorsport and even sum rugby.
The benefit of the pouch is that moving forwards and backwards is a breeze by just bending your knees and using your hips, as where with a monopod on the ground, the camera tilts up and down and physically changes "altitude" if i can explain it that way, when moving the camera forward.
Almost all pro's in SA use the 234 manfrotto tilt head. no need for a ball head, because you have a lens collar to go into portrait. Some guys use it directly on the monopod, but that just sucks imo.I dont use a ball head because its just too floppy.
The 234 head can be used in 2 ways.
If you buy the 234RC then its quick release, but the plate only has one screw, so for big lense likemy 400 2.8 its too flimsey, and it turns around that screw because of the torque on a long lens. I suggest using the normal 234 head, with a wimberley clamp screwed on, and then using a arca swiss type dovetail plate on your collar. It fastens with 2 screws, so no unwanted rotaion
It really changed the way i shoot motorsport, and my keeper rate is so much better, if you take into account, the WSBK or the Moto GP one would photograph at a ss of between 1/160th and 1/500th depending on the vectpr speed of the subject.
Let me know if you want photo's of the setup, and ill take a few and post them. |
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Steve Ueckert, Photographer
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Houston | TX | | Posted: 9:37 AM on 07.09.09 |
->> Ditto the use of the Bogen / Manfrotto tilt head. I don't use the quick release version, I prefer the simpler lighter version with just the screw in stud. I use a LowePro fanny pack that provides plenty of base on which to set the monopod.
With the monopod angled back via the tilt head there is a "V" which catches my left shoulder easily for when I need to drop the long glass and grab a short lens. I hold the monopod in the crook of my left elbow. This orients the long lens straight up and down preventing it form whacking someone right next to you.
It also allows you to fold the monopod in line with the long glass for walking in crowded areas or maneuvering in and out of tight elevators while accessing the press levels at sports venues. |
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Matt Kartozian, Photographer
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Scottsdale | AZ | USA | Posted: 11:38 AM on 07.09.09 |
| ->> Thanks guys, what are you using to support the monopod on your belt? |
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Dave Breen, Photographer
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Somerset | PA | USA | Posted: 12:02 PM on 07.09.09 |
->> The QR plate that came with my 234 had one screw but two additional holes. I had them tapped and added two more set screws for a very stable connection.
I just saw a photo of the 234RC in which the plate appears to have only the one hole for a set screw, but it may not be current/accurate. |
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Tom Theobald, Photographer
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La Mesa | CA | USA | Posted: 12:12 PM on 07.09.09 |
->> Hi Matt, I make it very simple. Have never bothered with a tilt-ballhead or any special mounting belt.
Run with a Bogen/Manfrotto #681 and am too tall for typical telescoped leg operation when standing up. For years and years, I just loosen up my belt a notch or two, (is just a regular leather belt to hold your levis around your waist type). Then just jam the monopod base between my belt and pants-->works fine! Even on occasion when in a hurry, have jammed the monopod base into my levi pocket. You could tear your pocket, so is only temporary. Just after a few hours your lower back/waist can get fatigued with like 400mm lens. But is always how I've done it. Give it a try. My 2-cents, YMMV. -T |
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John Tucker, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Cordova | TN | USA | Posted: 12:52 PM on 07.09.09 |
->> "on occasion when in a hurry, have jammed the monopod base into my levi pocket"
Is that a monopod in your pocket or are you just glad to see me? |
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Nick Morris, Photographer
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San Marcos | CA | United States | Posted: 1:11 PM on 07.09.09 |
| ->> Matt , Lowepro makes a cool add on for their backpacks that hold a tripod. They are removable and I use one on my Sideline Shooter. It attaches perfect and the monopod sits nicely inside. |
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Nick Morris, Photographer
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San Marcos | CA | United States | Posted: 1:12 PM on 07.09.09 |
| ->> Marcell... I'd love to see a few shots! |
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Jamey Price, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Charlotte | NC | USA | Posted: 3:08 PM on 07.09.09 |
| ->> That is a very cool idea. Intriguing. |
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Marcell van Aswegen, Photographer
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Pretoria | GP | South Africa | Posted: 3:32 PM on 07.09.09 |
->> The only reason i dont use the lens collar directly on the 234 head as Steve Ueckert, is because i have multiple bodies, and its quicker with the wimberley clamp and arca swiss plates to change lenses.
Here are two shots i have on my pc, will take some detailed shots next week if anyone would like. Unfortunately, im off to a photo and fil expo for 3 days, so will only be able to assist with detailed shots after monday.
http://www.sportsshooter.com/marcell/monopodpics/ |
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Michael Granse, Photographer
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Marcell van Aswegen, Photographer
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Matt Kartozian, Photographer
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Scottsdale | AZ | USA | Posted: 3:52 PM on 07.09.09 |
->> Thanks Marcell and Michael. Looking dumb has never bothered me if it works.
I have some stuff lying around that may work and I will give it a trial run tonight. |
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Marcell van Aswegen, Photographer
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Pretoria | GP | South Africa | Posted: 3:57 PM on 07.09.09 |
->> Quite the opposite on this side of the world, you look stupid with a monopod on the ground, haha.
By the way i just got my SportsShooters floppy hat and cap, and will be showing them off in sunny old South Africa from now on. |
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Colin Heyburn, Photographer
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ARMAGH | NI | United Kingdom | Posted: 3:28 AM on 07.10.09 |
| ->> Interesting idea. I shoot rugby and find that a monopod simply screwed into the lens does the job for me with a prime 400mm 2.8. Im normally perched on the ground on my bottom or if situation allows on the 400 lens case, so that works for me. However if you are mobile and running about the place it looks good. |
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Matt Kartozian, Photographer
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Scottsdale | AZ | USA | Posted: 11:57 AM on 07.10.09 |
| ->> I threw something together last night with a tool pouch from Home Depot and a 234 head and tried it at a baseball game. The pouch attachment to the belt needs work but otherwise it worked very well. This is something I want to use mainly for motorsports when I sometime have to transition between subjects very fast. Thanks everyone for the help. |
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Ivan Pierre Aguirre, Student/Intern, Assistant
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El Paso | TX | United States | Posted: 5:18 PM on 08.23.09 |
->> Do any of you guys know what kind of tilt/swivel head that photog in Matts frame was using? Is it the 234 manfrotto tilt head mentioned above?
It doesn't appear to be the same one in question. |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington | IL | United States | Posted: 2:13 PM on 08.24.09 |
| ->> No link or photos, but people who parade with flags have devices that hold the bottom of the flag pole just below the waist. The ones I used (years ago) were worn over the shoulder. Still might be worth a bing search. |
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Marcell van Aswegen, Photographer
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Pretoria | GP | South Africa | Posted: 5:39 PM on 08.24.09 |
| ->> No Ivan, that would be a manfrotto/bogen ballhead |
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Tom Suarez, Photographer
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Austin | texas | USA | Posted: 7:04 PM on 08.24.09 |
| ->> I got a canvas pouch thing that came with my Velbon mono pod but have never tried it yet. It has a loop to slide over your belt. Maybe I will try it soon. You might see if Velbon makes a replacement. |
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