SportsShooter.com - Another Monopod Questions thread

SportsShooter.com: The Online Resource for Sports Photography

Contents:

Contests:

Newsletter:

Members:

About Us:

Sign in:

Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features.

|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board

Another Monopod Questions thread

Aaron Jaffe, Photographer, Student/Intern

San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 11:35 PM on 05.20.11

->> So I ran a search on monopods and found some great suggestions for people like me. Like me as in people that are 6'10" tall and want to shoot off a monopod while standing up without having to crane our necks or spread our legs far apart.

Now my questions:
-Quite a few monopods have their extended lengths listed at over 70" which is great, but they are also the type that have the mini tripod legs at the bottom. Does anyone have experience with whether or not these lengths include the tripod legs?
-Does anyone have first hand experience with a lever type monopod that extends to around 70"?

I plan on mounting a 400 2.8 to it so weight capacity would need to be around 17 pounds.

Thanks!

This post is: Informative (1) | Funny (0) | Huh? (0) | Off Topic (0) | Inappropriate (0) | Definitions

Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer

New York | NY | USA | Posted: 7:48 AM on 05.21.11

->> I have this monopod:
http://www.monopodssale.tk/benro-mp-98m8-aluminum-monopod/

I bought this for when my short (5'2") self has to stand on a tall ladder and shoot concerts from the soundboard. It has been tall enough for me to get over the 6'9" photographer. I never even knew it had the tripod legs until you mentioned this so in answer to your question it sure seems tall enough without the legs extended

Debbie

This post is: Informative (0) | Funny (0) | Huh? (0) | Off Topic (0) | Inappropriate (0) | Definitions

Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer

	New York \| NY \| USA \| Posted: 7:50 AM on 05.21.11
	->> PS-I bought this monopod after seeing that 6'9" photographer using it

This post is: Informative (0) | Funny (0) | Huh? (0) | Off Topic (0) | Inappropriate (0) | Definitions

Robert Deutsch, Photographer

NY | NY | USA | Posted: 9:48 AM on 05.21.11

->> Aaron,
I love my Gitzo GM3550 (now 3551)
Carbon Fiber, strong, light, tall, and has two features that rock... legs unlock without rotating (fast and easy) and the mounting thread is locked in place, so you don't find the thread stuck hard in the camera when you unscrew it... forcing you to mess up the threads to release it.
No tripod extension legs.

Maximum Height: 75.6" (192 cm)
Folded Length: 21.3" (54 cm)
Weight: 1.4 lbs (600 g)
Load Capacity: 36.9 lbs (18 kg)

Downside: Pricey... $300

This post is: Informative (0) | Funny (0) | Huh? (0) | Off Topic (0) | Inappropriate (0) | Definitions

Michael Chen, Assistant, Photographer

	Saratoga \| CA \| USA \| Posted: 11:43 AM on 05.21.11
	->> Aaron, I'll second what Robert said. I've had my GM3550 for over three years now; the thing's simply fantastic. Lightweight yet supports a 400mm real well, and real tall too. If you want to go aluminum (and save $80), the GM3350L is almost as tall (73.2") and is another fine monopod.

This post is: Informative (0) | Funny (0) | Huh? (0) | Off Topic (0) | Inappropriate (0) | Definitions

Aaron Jaffe, Photographer, Student/Intern

	San Diego \| CA \| USA \| Posted: 1:43 PM on 05.21.11
	->> Sweet thanks for the suggestions. Robert and Michael: Does the Gitzo flex at all when fully extended? Or is it solid like a Manfrotto 679B style monopod?

This post is: Informative (0) | Funny (0) | Huh? (0) | Off Topic (0) | Inappropriate (0) | Definitions

Michael Chen, Assistant, Photographer

Saratoga | CA | USA | Posted: 1:59 PM on 05.21.11

->> My bottom section will flex a bit when fully extended if I tried to point a 400mm f/2.8 up at something flying in the sky, but if you want to do that you really should be shooting with a tripod and a Wimberley head, or at the very least a swivel head for your monopod so you're not putting such a strain on your monopod.

Never had any problems shooting stuff that entailed being on the sidelines.

This post is: Informative (0) | Funny (0) | Huh? (0) | Off Topic (0) | Inappropriate (0) | Definitions

Svein Ove Ekornesvaag, Photographer

	Aalesund \| Møre og Romsdal \| Norway \| Posted: 5:58 PM on 05.21.11
	->> I worship my Manfrotto 681B. Rock solid. Recently I upgraded it with a spiked foot and now I love it even more, rotates super smooth on the ground. The spiked foot also adds some height to the monopod. With the Canon 400mm f/2.8 mounted on top I don't have to crane my neck. I'm 74" and never use the monopod fully extended.

This post is: Informative (0) | Funny (0) | Huh? (0) | Off Topic (0) | Inappropriate (0) | Definitions

Aaron Jaffe, Photographer, Student/Intern

	San Diego \| CA \| USA \| Posted: 7:52 PM on 05.21.11
	->> Hi Svein, the 681B is listed at: Maximum Height 63.4" I am 82" tall sadly so I do not think it will work for me. Debra: Thanks by the way. I bought the Benro to try out. Worst case scenario is I get the Gitzo and use the Benro as a backup.

This post is: Informative (0) | Funny (0) | Huh? (0) | Off Topic (0) | Inappropriate (0) | Definitions

Jeff Gammons, Student/Intern, Photographer

	Niceville \| Fl \| USA \| Posted: 11:01 PM on 05.21.11
	->> I rock the Manfrotto Fluid Head and love it. It holds up my 300/2.8 no problemo.

This post is: Informative (0) | Funny (0) | Huh? (0) | Off Topic (0) | Inappropriate (0) | Definitions

Return to --> Message Board Main Index

Copyright 2023, SportsShooter.com