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Are monopods all the same? Is there any specific feature to look for when shopping for one (sturdiness, lightweight,etc)? What would you recommend? What is the price range for these things?

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Hi Al,

I am not the tripod expert but I can tell you one thing I've heard several times from different established pros from the US. The advice: Spend the money and invest in a very good tripod. A good one will probably last a lifetime. I've never heard the end of this one from my wife Pilar. We were in Japan last November in one of the best camera stores around, BIC Camera. She was ready to pick up a GITZO for around the equivalent of P35,000. I convinced her not to and have regretted it ever since (because she keeps on reminding me about it!)

Ha ha ha... good one.

I had the same quandry as you did on my last trip overseas. It was a choice of getting a gitzo or another lens. I chose the gitzo because of the simple fact it's not available locally. It already paid for itself since I took it up the Pinatubo Crater Lake.

P.S. PM me if your looking for one. I know somebody selling a brand spanking new G1258. I'm warning you though it's gonna cost full price because it's new.

.

@Nick, Dave

Guys, actually I've got a Manfrotto tripod 055BPRO with a 488QR2 and will need to get another smaller and lighter one, maybe a Gitzo.

My inquiry is on a monopod you can direct me to, which I dont have yet at the moment. Thanks.

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Monopods are valuable too.. when I tagged along shooting the Miss Earth pageant I had to use one on a 70-200 IS at the 3rd hour because I was tired already handholding the setup. Our group was confined in the press area seats so not much room to maneuver.

I use a Manfrotto for this because the price/performance difference between the carbon fiber models wasn't worth it. Any monopod is light enough as long as the load capacity was rated for the lens load.

The only qualifiers now is if you prefer the clip type or the twist type to extend the leg. I also don't like using any head on monopods because it's easy enough to maneuver using a tripod collar and saves weight.

Island Multi has ample stock of Monopods at good prices. I have the metal 676B which costs less than 2k.

Here's their contact info;

Island photo multi industrial - 818-1788

The store is in Legaspi Village and they are open on Saturdays so you can avoid parking & traffic woes.

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@ Dave

Appreciate it! Thanks.

I realised the need when I was invited by a friend over a shoot (Mossimo Bikini) and using a long lens over an extended period can be challenging to say the least without encountering camera shake.

Surely will take into consideration your tips in selecting one. I'll check out Island Photo and see what they've got.

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http://www.optics4birding.com/media/images/products/682B.jpg

this is what i'm using. a manfrotto 682B. pretty handy bugger.

http://www.optics4birding.com/media/images/products/682B.jpg

this is what i'm using. a manfrotto 682B. pretty handy bugger.

how much is one of those?

Hi John,

Actually I saw this model a couple of months ago and I was intrigued by it too.

I'm sure stability won't match even the entry level tripods, but for light duty or even P&S cameras it should be a joy to lug around and actually use.

got myself a manfrotto 334B automatic monopod... the grip makes it easy to bring the camera down/up to the desired height. works like a charm. 8kg max weight capacity.
quote from manfrotto..
The automatic, 3 section, monopod provides immediate single handed final height adjustment. Squeeze the trigger handle and the top section can be raised or lowered, release and it locks in position. The lower two sections have a twist lock action for additional height adjustment. The top plate has a dual 1/4"-3/8" camera fixing screw.
http://www.manfrotto.com/webdav/site/manfrotto/shared/_images/Manfrotto/product_images/334B.jpg

http://www.optics4birding.com/media/images/products/682B.jpg

this is what i'm using. a manfrotto 682B. pretty handy bugger.
i wonder if i could use the base for the 334b

how much is one of those?

i can't recall at the moment but will post it as soon as i remember or check it out.

Hi John,

Actually I saw this model a couple of months ago and I was intrigued by it too.

I'm sure stability won't match even the entry level tripods, but for light duty or even P&S cameras it should be a joy to lug around and actually use.

actually dave it could handle some light to medium gear pretty well. as long as it's not too windy, it works pretty good.

i wonder if i could use the base for the 334b

hi manny, i'm not too sure what that is. :Shock:

hi manny, i'm not too sure what that is. :Shock:
hi john, no problem. thanks anyway. will just check it out from island photo.

.

@Nick, Dave

Guys, actually I've got a Manfrotto tripod 055BPRO with a 488QR2 and will need to get another smaller and lighter one, maybe a Gitzo.

My inquiry is on a monopod you can direct me to, which I dont have yet at the moment. Thanks.

.
Al,

I currently use a Manfrotto 676B. It's not as big (in terms of tube diameter) as the 679, 680 or the 681 models but it carries my heaviest setup well. My heaviest setup is a d70 and an 80-200D. I also put a 234RC pan and tilt head on it (makes it easier to release if I need to). BTW, it also has a slightly lower weight limit.

Hope this helps.

up to now, I still don't know what tripod/monopod to get...

din, FIESOL is the way! Source mo na sila! Here's the website:
http://www.feisol.com/english/enconnect-n.htm
And they have carbon fiber monopods!
http://www.feisol.com/english/1471ms.JPG

order na lang kaya tayo online... hehehehhe

http://www.optics4birding.com/media/images/products/682B.jpg

this is what i'm using. a manfrotto 682B. pretty handy bugger.

I'm in the market for some form of camera support and this item looks pretty interesting. Is it stable enough to function as both a tripod and monopod? I would think such capability would come in quite handy for a mobile photographer

i can't recall at the moment but will post it as soon as i remember or check it out.

sir do you have the price already and where did you purchased it?

Hi! i have this similar 334B monopod. it worked for quite some time but after a while it just came down, down, down... i mean if you released the lever with a heavy lens/body combination attached, it won't stay up, it just goes down. It was good for sports with a 400 lens, but i still stick to my Benbo MkI/Manfrotto head combo. The other Manfrotto model monopods might work better.

http://www.optics4birding.com/media/images/products/682B.jpg

this is what i'm using. a manfrotto 682B. pretty handy bugger.

i use the same model but without the foot.:)

anyone ever heard of the brand BENRO? I read somewhere that this is a cheaper version of GITZO tripods. If ever this is true......how much would this set me back if i get one and would anyone know where could this be had in HK or here in Phils.

Thanks in advance

Benro tripods/monopods should be available in the Philippines in a couple of weeks. :)

hi jun, any indication which shops will be carrying the BENRO brand?

Aperture syempre. :)

I got a BENRO monopod in Shanghai for around 3k with a ball head. Really sweet and sturdy. :D

my friend from hongkong even offered me the benro brand tripods saying it's becoming popular these days, didn't flinch coz I've never ehard about it. :D hehe!

@jun, thanks for the heads up on who will carry the BENRO brand! Will definitely check them out when they arrive:)

With all the brands of tripos and monopods around I think one should check if the said product will be the one you really need and not just one that you might think you need. I have used my tripod and monopod for the last couple of months and have no problems with them at all. The first one I got was also a manfrotto but it was a bit short for me so I sold it to my cousin cost price only. I suggest if you are shopping around for anything best make sure you get thebest you can afford so at least in the future you wont go looking for an upgrade and end up wasting your money.

Just my two cents.

i read about benro @ kenrockwell before.. lemme double check it... it think he wrote about these during one of the photo expos earlier this year.

Is anybody using Carbon Fiber monopods? Is the weight saving worth the extra price?

I'll be getting a Benro CF tripod from Aperture soon. I'll post my review once I've used it.

do they (aperture) have it in stock already....how much is the CF Tripod?

yup, but very limited quantities lang.

I'll be getting a Benro CF tripod from Aperture soon. I'll post my review once I've used it.

post it in the review section of the forum. we will get it up by then.

The last time I was in Aperture, which was about two weeks ago, Frank was telling me about a Carbon Fiber tripod which was coming in a few weeks. I think he was referring to the Benro. The only drawback according to him is that it is less stable compared to steel tripods because of the weight. This is the reason why most of them have hooks in the bottom of the center column where one is supposed to hang a bag with considerable weight to bring down the center of gravity. I am also looking forward to your review TJ. My heaviest setup at the moment is the D70 with the 80-200 f2.8.

Where's the review section? :)
Just got a Benro C-298 CF 4-section tripod and a KB-0 friction control ballhead. You can check out the product line-up at http://www.benro.cn/ but Aperture may not carry the entire line yet.
From the initial handling of the C-298, it looks like a winner. Some nice details:
- bag
- strap
- built-in compass and spirit level
- easy to adjust legs
But I'll be testing it this weekend and next with a gimbal head and my long lens set-up when I go birding. I'll post a full review then.

Where's the review section? :)
Just got a Benro C-298 CF 4-section tripod and a KB-0 friction control ballhead. You can check out the product line-up at http://www.benro.cn/ but Aperture may not carry the entire line yet.
From the initial handling of the C-298, it looks like a winner. Some nice details:
- bag
- strap
- built-in compass and spirit level
- easy to adjust legs
But I'll be testing it this weekend and next with a gimbal head and my long lens set-up when I go birding. I'll post a full review then.

i'll give you the link when we're done finalizing tomorrow.

damage? (price) please.

Other great things about the C-298:
- comes with spikes for use on earth or soft terrain
- comes with tightening tools
- 1/3 the price of a Gitzo!

damage? (price) please.

P14,500 for the C-298, but please verify with Frank to be sure. They also have a promo price now, so get 'em while they're hot! With the promo, it really becomes 1/3 the price of a Gitzo.

I highly recommend the Slik pistol grip head for a monopod. I use it with a quick release clamp and a regular Bogen monopod(not sure which model)

Unlike tripods, I don't think the monopod itself is important as long as it's light and doesn't compress on it's own. The Slik head though allows me to support the pod with my left hand comfortably while I hold the camera with my right.

http://zandy.smugmug.com/photos/91168992-L.jpg