Mono pod advice needed

[TVR-NUT]

Hi all. I am thinking of purchasing a reasonably priced mono pod, but I am not sure what one to go for. It will mainly be used for sports and action photography. I have noticed that there are both fixed head and non fixed head models.

Any recommendations anybody?

Mark

[Gemm]

You can't go wrong with Manfrotto 680 or 681 (3 sention or 4 section), or more expensive Mag Fiber 694 or 695.

And you don't really need a head if you use a tripod collar of the lens.

Edited by Gemm on Thursday 24th August 10:17

[Don]

I got a brilliant monopod...from Leki. Its one of those "walking sticks" but has a fitting hidden inside the handle. If you walk at all its a good combination item...

[lotusfan]

Gemm said:

You can't go wrong with Manfrotto 680 or 681 (3 sention or 4 section), or more expensive Mag Fiber 694 or 695.

And you don't really need a head if you use a tripod collar of the lens.

Edited by Gemm on Thursday 24th August 10:17

agreed, i used a head with the tilt option, but the L IS lens collar allows it to rotate anyway so now on a fixed head manfrotto
works great for footy

[elderly]

No recommendations as to manufacturer but I use a (short) monopod secured into
my belt, and combined with a non-fixed head I can make rapid adjustments
of my camera position whilst cutting down on camera shake.

I'm sure that it wouldn't work for mega-long lenses though.

[TVR-NUT]

lotusfan said:

Gemm said:

You can't go wrong with Manfrotto 680 or 681 (3 section or 4 section), or more expensive Mag Fiber 694 or 695.

And you don't really need a head if you use a tripod collar of the lens.

Edited by Gemm on Thursday 24th August 10:17

agreed, i used a head with the tilt option, but the L IS lens collar allows it to rotate anyway so now on a fixed head manfrotto
works great for footy

Thanks for the recommendation Gemm and lotusfan. Sounds like the one for my needs. However I am a bit confused by the L IS lens collar bit. What do you mean by this? Do you mean the tripod mount on the camera, or on the lens itself (which none of my lenses have, as I'm still using a Pentax P30 manual SLR, because I simply cannot afford a digital SLR at the moment )? Also will the manfrotto allow me to take both portrait and landscape shots?

Sorry for all the question's guys, but I have never used a mono pod before (just have a tripod), so I'm new to all this.

Thanks

Mark

[Gemm]

I meant the tripod collar like this on the lens.



If you don't have one, then you can buy the tilting head (234, I think) to use it vertically (or any heads will do the job).

[leszekg]

To some extent it probably depends how you plan to use it. I got one of the longest and sturdiest ones I could find - many events these days have quite high fencing so in these circumstances a long model is great and gives you the option of using it whilst standing on a small stepladder if necessary. In any case it makes sense to get one that places the camera at your natural eye-level - you don't really want to be bending whilst (for example) panning.

I've not found it necessary to fit a head to my monopod - for most sports/action photography it is not absolutely necessary and just adds to the weight that you carry around. I have just a simple quick release plate on mine which saves fiddling around when you want to quickly mount or unmount the camera. Go for a carbon fibre model if you're going to be lugging it around a lot - more expensive but will save you on physio bills in the long term!

I've got a Gitzo but any of the reputable monpod manufacturers all have a variety to meet different needs. Suggest you try them out at a local stockist before making a decision.

[TVR-NUT]

That's what I thought you meant Gemm. I've just looked up the head number that you gave me on Jessops and it's exactly the one I will need. Thank you and everyone else for all your help

Mark

[monkeyhanger]

I have the Manfrotto 681 and it's rock solid.

I never use a head as they induce too much "wobble" and bugger the shots up.

[crmcatee]

694 and a small ball head attached to the top.. Get's my vote here...

[LongQ]

TVR-NUT said:

Hi all. I am thinking of purchasing a reasonably priced mono pod, but I am not sure what one to go for. It will mainly be used for sports and action photography. I have noticed that there are both fixed head and non fixed head models.

Any recommendations anybody?

Mark

FWIW ...

I have a fixed and a head mounted monpods bought to tryout the principles. Very cheap from 7dayshop.

Hardly used the T&P headed one so far but I have tried the fixed one and found that for many things it is a pita, especially if panning. Probably me but on anything other than level ground the thing is a nuisance. Better to hand hold. I can't imagine getting on any better with something sporting floppy top end. Maybe if I can grow another 2 or 3 arms it would work ...

On the other hand my cheap and disposable 7DS tripod, warts and all, has worked better than I expected when working with a 600mm L spec lens.