First monopod advise...

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freeman3030

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James
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Hi,
I've recently purchased a my very first 70-200 lens. I've had it a few days and only now I've used it, I've found the difficulty of taking a photo (especially when at 200mm) to keep the subject where it's wanted. Quite a lot of it is probably down to practise, but I find that when looking through the view finder, the subject sways slightly despite me holding the camera as steady as I can.
I already have a tripod and as good as it is - it can't come with me everywhere and takes time to set up. So I've thought about getting a Monopod.

Now I don't really know what to look for - some have different types of 'feet' and all the various heads you can get... it's so confusing.
I'm a beginner and only want something simple, quick/easy to put it and gets the job done with minimal fuss.

What can people recommend?
I don't have a budget for hundreds of pounds, just something decently priced. I haven't wanted to buy a cheap £20 one just incase it's useless - but begrudge spending £80 on something I don't know an awful lot about.

Any ideas/suggestions?
 
I went with a ball head with friction control. It enables the monopod to support the weight but you are still free to move the camera around as you wish. The friction control allows you to set it so it doesn't move by itself but you only need a light touch to reposition the camera.
 
Manfrotto do decent ones at a decent price
680b or similar
Depends on the height you need
Iv just used my old 3 way tripod head and it works fine
 
Hi James

As Dave says, Manfrotto do a few and they are good, I've one and popped a ball head on top. Works well - I'm getting more used to using it now - although it is still occasionally, rather than continuously I use one...

Have you thought about a magazine subscription ? They are sometimes offered as a free gift ? Migt be worth a look out...
 
freeman3030 said:
Quite a lot of it is probably down to practise
What can people recommend?
Any ideas/suggestions?
Click to expand...

You just answered your own question ;)
Unless you are a sports shooter a monopod will just end up not getting used and practise costs nothing.
 
Didn't want to start a new thread as this is basically the same question I have. Using for motorsport and wildlife, just to give that extra stablity for my 70-300mm lens.

Tutor at my college course said about Jessops ones and that should really get one with a footplate/wide base and quick release.

The manfrotto one is still a bit expensive for me but can't believe the 7 day shop one would last very long so looking for a good balance between the 2 if anyone can recommend one??
 
I use a manfrotto monopod for my 300mm lens - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-6...CK2G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350479132&sr=8-1

Its not a heavy lens, but I've had back problems for years, so carrying it around all day kills me.

At only £30 its not mega-bucks, and I've used mine heavily for about 18 months, in all weather conditions, and its not showing any signs of wear or breaking.

I don't use a head or anything, just screw it into the lens plate, and it can still be maneuvered without being a hinderence. The only problem is that if your shooting one way and something happens behind you, its not as easy to quickly move around.
 
i use a simple giottos monopod with a quick release plate.
never seen the point of a ballhead slowing you down.
mostly for macro with my long lens and when in the trees watching the birds,by the time you bring the camera up they have gone.

i got one with just the right sized handle as it doubles as a walking stick instead of me taking a trekking pole as well.
 
Can't remember the model # of my Manfrotto monopod but I do know the head's a 234RC2, with a QR plate that matches all my other supports. This head allows forward and backward tilt (or, lanscape/portrait with a change of QR plate orientation) with other axis taken care of by body movement. I do also have a Giottos Vitruvian tripod with a leg and central column that can be joined for use as a monopod. I use the tripod's ball head on that rather than faff about changing it.
 
I bought a trek pod pro they were £100 and above but are cheap on amazon and they are the buisness
 
Thanks for the responses guys - surprised no one has mentioned velbon monopods?

Would it be right in saying as long as the monopod can hold enough weight doesn't matter what make/cost the most important thing is getting the right quick release/tilting head??
 
handle size for me is important

i tilt the pole i dont need a tilting head just a quick release plate
 
Im very suprised know one has mentioned redsnapper tripods, i have a tripod from these guys and very impressed, only recently i brought one of there monopods with ball head for using with my canon 100-400 at airshows and it performed amazingly good all for the measley sum of £40, dont think you can go with redsnapper in my opinion.

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RSM-284_Monopod_RSH-61_Head.html

Andy
 
well head has been spinning over last few days looking at reviews and different makes, models :thinking:

phoned my local camera place LCE and the guy in there has said he has a few different manfrotto, velbon and a gitzo one I think he said. So going to try out a few with my camera and bless him he's even said I can take a few out of the shop to try :)

I am tempted by the manfrotto 294A3 but not too sure of the 234RC head?

So will see what I come back with on Saturday :D (just hope it's just the monopod and not extra goodies! too tempting being in a shop)
 
Hi, if you sign up for a subscription of Nphoto mag b4 Oct 31st you get a manfrotto monopod as a gift. The mag is decent too.. This months edition has a voucher code inside. Other than that the giottos are good value. Try Wex or similar. Good luck :0)
 
thanks for the tip, unfortunately needing something for Sunday when I head down to Brands Hatch, otherwise would probably have jumped at a freebie :)
 
Ami-Jane said:
I am tempted by the manfrotto 294A3 but not too sure of the 234RC head?
Click to expand...

Can't remember the model of my Manfrotto monopod but I do know that the 234RC2 head is a part I couldn't do without! Depending on which way I mount the QR plate on the camera, it allows me to either tilt forwards or backwards or to swap between landscape and portrait orientation very easily - I keep the tilt hinge so it takes very little effort to tilt it (after all, the main forces the monopod is trying to resist are pure vertical) and the RC2 part of the model number designates that it has a QR plate - one that also fits all my other supports (apart from my Giottos tripod/monopod which has it's own very light head - shame to fit a heavier one when chances are, I'll only be using it (the light 'pod & head) with a single camera, on holiday, so weight will be a big issue!). If you want or need a QR plate, the 234RC2 is not much more expensive than the QR adaptor on its own.

(From my local shop's site)

234RC2:- http://www.devoncamera.co.uk/index.cfm/product/manfrotto-234rc2-monopod-head--898

Adaptor plate:- http://www.devoncamera.co.uk/index.cfm/product/manfrotto-323-rectangular-plate-adaptor-1118
 
Ami-Jane said:
thanks for the tip, unfortunately needing something for Sunday when I head down to Brands Hatch, otherwise would probably have jumped at a freebie :)
Click to expand...

I would opt for hand holding at brands, setting a lower shutter speed and trying the get some really great background blur! This will make for some amazing shots! I personally found that I really liked the idea of a mono pod, but never use it for sports and motor racing as it restricts my movement! Look forward to some images of Sunday! Have fun!! :-)
 
Nod said:
Can't remember the model of my Manfrotto monopod but I do know that the 234RC2 head is a part I couldn't do without! Depending on which way I mount the QR plate on the camera, it allows me to either tilt forwards or backwards or to swap between landscape and portrait orientation very easily - I keep the tilt hinge so it takes very little effort to tilt it (after all, the main forces the monopod is trying to resist are pure vertical) and the RC2 part of the model number designates that it has a QR plate - one that also fits all my other supports (apart from my Giottos tripod/monopod which has it's own very light head - shame to fit a heavier one when chances are, I'll only be using it (the light 'pod & head) with a single camera, on holiday, so weight will be a big issue!). If you want or need a QR plate, the 234RC2 is not much more expensive than the QR adaptor on its own.

(From my local shop's site)

234RC2:- http://www.devoncamera.co.uk/index.cfm/product/manfrotto-234rc2-monopod-head--898

Adaptor plate:- http://www.devoncamera.co.uk/index.cfm/product/manfrotto-323-rectangular-plate-adaptor-1118
Click to expand...


Thanks for the advice will have a play with what the camera place has and see what works best :)
 
Keith_m said:
I would opt for hand holding at brands, setting a lower shutter speed and trying the get some really great background blur! This will make for some amazing shots! I personally found that I really liked the idea of a mono pod, but never use it for sports and motor racing as it restricts my movement! Look forward to some images of Sunday! Have fun!! :-)
Click to expand...

I must admit I do tend to camera shake so my thinking behind the monopod was just to give me that bit more stability with the slightly larger lens.

Will be my first time trying to pan so will see what I come back with lol :D
 
Well after my shopping trip Saturday tried a few different makes/models of mono pods but decided picked up a velbon rup-v40 and velbon qhd-33q ball head - pleased with how sturdy it seems - unfortunately didn't get to try it out at brands today as was absolutely soaking wet :( hopefully will be able to try it out soon!
 
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