Monopod suggestion with 400 mm 2.8

Mark Dickinson

Just waiting for the arrivals of a beast, well I think it weighs around 12 lbs. All the monopodsi tried have a slippage when i push Dow on them full extended except a small manfrotto.

Anyone have a recommendation on a range of 100-200$ range that have experience with the lens combo?


Thanks, Mark

Art Scott

I use a Giottos P-Pod with my Sigma 50-500 and I have used it as a walking stick, wading stick and to help me get back up off the ground when my Knee came out of socket.....

puzzledpaul

Whilst my beast (500 f4) isn't as heavy as yours, I'd probably make one from a leg off an old 4 or more likely, 5 series ali Gitzo - as I have 'spares' lying around.

A 'spares or repairs' sale on fleabay would likely provide more than enough bits

pp

time2smile

Art Scott wrote: »

I use a Giottos P-Pod with my Sigma 50-500 and I have used it as a walking stick, wading stick and to help me get back up off the ground when my Knee came out of socket.....

2 Votes for P-Pod

clap

Icebear

Beefy
My Manfrotto 680B does quite well with the Nikkor 400 f/2.8. And it's not too expensive either.

dbveto

Icebear wrote: »

My Manfrotto 680B does quite well with the Nikkor 400 f/2.8. And it's not too expensive either.

I also have two Manfrotto 680B and unfortunately the one I have used for 10 games is starting to slip when using my 70-200 of course it is slipping when I use it as a support to get up.

borrowlenses.com

Those Manfrotto monopods are great. The 680/681 can hold quite a bit of weight and are easy to carry.

Mark Dickinson

Thanks everyone for the responses it's appreciated

DsrtVW

I have the manfrotto too it is excellent. I like the flip levers on the Manfrotto equipment fast deployment and solid.

Mark Dickinson

498rc2,Icebear, is that swivel head on top. I have a manfrotto ball head for tripod and it's sturdy. But withtheweightagain, I was looking at the monopod then 498rc2 head http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/660311-REG/Manfrotto_498RC2_498RC2_Midi_Ball_Head.html


Not sureyifthatsthesystem you are running

Icebear

The head in the photo is the 234RC monopod head, but I've since switched over to the Induro GBH2 gimbal head for long lenses. It's pricey, but infinitely better. That being said, the little Montrotto head filled the bill for a long time.

Mark Dickinson

Thank you!

Matthew Saville

Personally, I find that a medium-weight tripod makes a better, more versatile monopod than a monopod itself. I own a Giottos monopod, but honestly haven't used it in forever. I just use my tripod, fold the legs together, and pretend it's a monopod. Then whenever I need more stability, the tripod legs spread out and do what they do best. ;-)

=Matt=

Mark Dickinson

Matt, Thats good, I have a heavy manfrotto, and I use that now, but it felt cumbersome, but works great like you said. I just have to swap out heads because the ball head. So thats where Id have to either swap it out just have a second unit.

raptorcaptor

For a heavy lens like the 400 2.8 I would highly recommend the RRS monopod head.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=MH-01-Pro&type=4&eq=MH-01-Pro-001&desc=Hi-Capacity-Monopod-Head-with-B2-Pro-II

I use it with my 500F4 and 400DO lens and love it. I'm not going to recommend my manfotto monopod since I've had slippage with it.

Mark Dickinson

Ty Glenn!

ImageX Photography

I have a Manfrottoe 680 as well.... with the quick release swivel head. It's strong and made with typical Manfrotto quality. It will handle your beast.

dbveto

ImageX Photography wrote: »

I have a Manfrottoe 680 as well.... with the quick release swivel head. It's strong and made with typical Manfrotto quality. It will handle your beast.

I have two well, 1 1/2 one broke at the bottom section I will have to see if I am a fan of them.

ImageX Photography

dbveto wrote: »

I have two well, 1 1/2 one broke at the bottom section I will have to see if I am a fan of them.

Probably because you misuse them by supporting well over 100 lbs.

dbveto wrote: »

I also have two Manfrotto 680B and unfortunately the one I have used for 10 games is starting to slip when using my 70-200 of course it is slipping when I use it as a support to get up.

WinsomeWorks

I'm glad to have this info too, even though I don't have a lens that big. I could use a new monopod for a couple reasons... stability being only one. The other reason is that mine has noisy latches/clamps. This is a horrible feature on some monopods, because often the very reasons we're using them is in a concert situation or with wildlife, where above all you want the thing to be quiet ! So I'm curious-- these monopods mentioned (the Manfrotto 680 et. al.)... are they quiet when you adjust them?

ImageX Photography

WinsomeWorks wrote: »

So I'm curious-- these monopods mentioned (the Manfrotto 680 et. al.)... are they quiet when you adjust them?

Yep... as quiet as they come. No noisy snapping latches or anything.

rpcrowe

Manfrotto 681(B)
I like a Manfrotto 681 or 681B (the B model is black) which can support a heavy load, is not terribly heavy itself and is really not expensive. I suggest using a Manfrotto 393/Bogen 3421 Gimbal which works great on either a tripod or a monopod. Here is a review of the Gimbal from the darkside...

dbveto

ImageX Photography wrote: »

Probably because you misuse them by supporting well over 100 lbs.

The bottom latch broke when I was unlatching it.

Maybe I should look into the ones Art uses
"I use a Giottos P-Pod with my Sigma 50-500 and I have used it as a walking stick, wading stick and to help me get back up off the ground when my Knee came out of socket"

ImageX Photography

dbveto wrote: »

The bottom latch broke when I was unlatching it.

Maybe I should look into the ones Art uses
"I use a Giottos P-Pod with my Sigma 50-500 and I have used it as a walking stick, wading stick and to help me get back up off the ground when my Knee came out of socket"

It's not often that Manfrotto products break. My 680 is very strong and I have had no issues with it. I also have a Sigma 50-500... OS version. The Manfrotto handles it with ease although it's not that big of a lens really... when compared to other beasts.

I haven't used any Giottos products before but they seem to be known for high quality.

Sorry to hear about the knee. Maybe you should mount a ball head on top of a cane or crutch? haha Just teasing. Even a decked out walker with clamps and mounts would be cool for an elderly shooter!

Mark Dickinson

those latches are replaceable. I just got one off amazon for my manfrotto tripod:)