rogerdaltx Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I was wondering how many use and find value in a monopod with their Pentax SR bodies? And if you have used one of the monopods with "feet" what did you think about it? What started this was testing my DA* 16-50 over the weekend and squatting on the balls of my feet to get a better angle on a plant. It was a too wet and to casual of a shot to kneel in the mud. I was thinking a monopod would have reduced my body motion, due to the poor shooting position and I often find myself in similar contortions to get a shot. It's often been written with tripods you can have very stable, light weight and a good price; just pick the two qualities you want. I opted for stable and reasonable price and got a Bogen-Manfrotto 3021 BPro with a 486RC2 ball head; love it. It's rock solid and easy to work with at full height. But at 29" folded and 9.5 lbs it's a pain to pack and too much to carry for casual shoots. So it's usually left at home or reserved for car trips. I also have about a 12 year old very compact, short no name aluminum tripod with plastic 3-way pan head that's about 3.5 lbs. It's comes on trips, but it's just not stable in any kind of wind. It's a pain to setup and I think I might be about to get similar results with a monopod and have much faster setups. My plan was to replace the little one with a compact ball head carbon fiber model but I don't want to drop $500+ on a tripod right now. I recently noticed a few monopods with "legs" or "feet" and they look interesting; the Bogan 3231 and the Trek-Tech TrekPod; (links below). No idea how useful these are with SR on and was hoping others have some experience. Bogen 3231: http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-3231-Professional-Monopod-Deatchable/dp/B00007E7IL/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1203364880&sr=1-21 Trek-tech Tekpod: http://www.amazon.com/Trek-Tech-TrekPod-Monopod-Integrated-MagMount/dp/B000RSMDBE/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1203364880&sr=1-24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_ng7 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I use the Manfrotto 680 which has 4 sections so it is quite compact.<BR> <a href><img src="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/5534.jpg"></a> <br><br> I've recently added the folding base that changes the monopod into a tripod. It's stable enough to hold my K10D w/grip and DA 18-250. <BR> Feet hide conveniently in the bottom section when not in use. <BR> <a href><img src="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/256973.jpg"></a> <br> Even with SR, a monopod will help you stabilize. Still considering what head to use. I currently have the 390RC2 but am wanting to get something more compact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainvisions Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Andrew, I like the idea of that tripod/mono pod. I have that monopod you have but in the two section which is more convenient for shooting sports and stuff. since it's faster to deploy and adjust. But the feet are actually interesting. I'd doubt nearly as stable as a tripod, nor as good for framing, but it looks like it would enable you to take shots that even a monopod and SR would fail to allow. Nice find. I'll have to look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_ng7 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 The feet do add a bit of weight but it's in the base which helps balance a bit. No, it's not as good as a tripod but while trekking or on the go, it's a very convenient substitute for a tripod. I also use it as a walking stick when the trails get a bit rough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
personalphotos Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Andrew. I wonder if that base will work with other Monopods? Does it screw to the foot of the MP? I use a Dynatran that is tall and solid. Has the dual foot with a rubber cup and the screw point. Roger, As for your question, I have one and use it quite a bit. It does a great job with lenses of all sizes and has allowed shots I normally wouldn't have gotten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_ng7 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Peter, it should work with outer pods as long as it has the right outer diameter and has the space to store the feet. . It actually comes with an adapter for another size other than the 680. Basically there is a compression fitting that mounts to the bottom section of the monopod. The feet screw into that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stemked Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I have and use a monopod with feet (with light Pentax film cameras) and regular monopods for bird photo with lenses up to 400mm (f5.6 Sigma). To be honest you need to be very nervous when you use the footed monopod. Not only does a little breeze send it shaking, it doesn't take much to knock it over. On breezeless days I've taken multi-second exposures, but generally a tripod is superior, even a *fairly* inexpensive one. For bird photography I've had good luck with monopods and the 400 mm Sigma lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_ng7 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Douglas, personally, I would never walk away from my K10D mounted on a monopod with feet let alone let go. However, I have tested it at home and it's very stable at full extension but I wouldn't leave it unattended, which means one hand is always on the camera or monopod. I could see myself letting go for a short period of time with no extension in the monopod. It is very stable and doesn't wobble at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolver Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I have the Manfrotto 679B. I was in a similar wet soggy ground situation one day when I took this shot. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x292/ricnbacker/Nature/IMGP0028.jpg I used the monopod just slightly extended to stabilize the camera. I like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgredline Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I have been looking into a monopod myself. Currently I have three tripods. I mini tripod for macros that I paid $19.95 at target and is a really nice pod...I then went out and bought another all aluminum full size tripod from target for $39.95..It weighs three pounds and is awesome...I then decided I needed a really nice wazoo tripod so I ordred one from B&H for $160.00 and while it is good, it is so heavy...About 10 Lbs...So as a result, I do not use it..I use my target pod that I love very much and is light and sturdy...It can support My K10D with large the Bigma no problem....Since I hike allot, it is important to keep in mind what it will be used for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shots worth sharing Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I have the trekpod and I'm pretty pleased with it. I had the k10d and sigma 10-20 on it for this 1/4 second shot in a breezy pedestrian tunnel. http://www.photo.net/photo/6856039 The most important thing is that it's easy to take along and a tripod left at home is of no value. Beyond that, I find it useful when I'm out clambering around with a lot of gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgredline Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Dave You so hit it on the nail on the head..''a tripod left at home is of no value'' Which is exactly why I have my lightweight target brand tripod in my truck always...Small, compact, light and makes a good hiking stick...and yes a tripod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shots worth sharing Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I hate to admit it but, in addition to being useful in negotiating stream-banks etc., the trekpod also has some value in a "think twice before you mess with me" sort of way in urban settings--something I wouldn't get from a traditional tripod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerdaltx Posted February 19, 2008 Author Share Posted February 19, 2008 Dave, The trek pod looks interesting. Shutterbug has a very positive review of it here: http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/accessories/0208trekpod/ I like the leg arrangement on it better than than Bogan's. Does your's have the magnet attachment head? That sould a bit questionable and I'm not sure I'd trust it with say a K10d, battery grip and 50-150 on it. And apartenlty there are two models; one that will colapse enough to get into a airline carry one; which would be important for me. There also seems to be a less expensive Velbon clone of it. I think that's the one to get, but I'm not sure about the head and they all seem to come with it. Is the head removable so that I could replace it with a something like a Bogan 484RC2, so I could stay consistant with plates with my big tripod? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shots worth sharing Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 The magnet arrangement works surprisingly well (but I wouldn't trust it on the rim of the Grand Canyon) But you've hit upon the major weakness of the treck pod and others of that variety, which is that there's no flexibility in the head: no pan, no tilt--just straight ahead in landscape mode. To date that's all I've needed but if I wanted to shoot up- or downward at an angle, I'd be S.O.L. Someone clever might be able to graft a real tripod head onto it but that compatibility is not delivered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainvisions Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Culmann 2100 might do the trick...1.5lbs, 45 inch max height, and 17in collapsed height. might be the perfect backpacking tripod. I've gone through a bunch of those vivitar/target brand tripods javier is talking about, none of them stood up to serious adventures, often the head would fall off. This culmann isn't the exact one I wanted (think it was the 2101) but it should do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgredline Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Justin No doubt, the target tripods are not very robust and as I carry it around, I do not leave my camera attached to it...I put my camera in my bag and carry the pod...I have had mine for about 2 years and still it is in pretty good shape..It is a Hakuba S-4500 While I bought mine at Target for $29.00 B&H has them for $39.95 What I like about it is that it is pretty solid and lightweight.. A tripod also opens up a new world for creativity. I have included a sample pic. A tripod is the best shake reduction system I have seen... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/435665-REG/Hakuba_056040075_S_4500_3_Section_Tripod_with.html <a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/5314/imgp9082fd8oy1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/> <a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/748/imgp9193vm5aj3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/> <a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6909/imgp9206wn8cq9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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