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    Monopod

    As I am requested to take photos in extreme low light situations I am considering buying a monopod just for this purpose. (I have a fully fledged sturdy tripod as well). I am looking into the Hama Star 78 Universal monopod and I wonder what the members think of this. It has got a quick release head etc. This cost is approx £17 on Ebay, new.

    Many thanks for your help and advice.
    Canon 6D; Canon 760D;Canon G15;Canon 40mm f2.8(Pancake);Canon 50mm f1.8(ii); Canon 17mm-40mm f4L;Canon EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM;Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 STM lens;Canon 24mm-105mmf4L IS;Canon 70-300mm f4-f5.6 L IS USM;Kenko 1.4x HD TC;Canon 430EX ii flash;Giottos tripod;Manfretto monopod;Cokin P filters + bits and pieces!

    www.flickr.com/photos/nathaniel3390

    North Wales where music and the sea give a great concert!

    #2
    Re: Monopod

    A monopod, while not as stable as a tripod, will still be an improvement over hand-held and may provide the solution to your low-light problem.

    I bought a less well spec'd predecessor to < this > and it is very well made, really stable and far easier to carry than a tripod - indeed I even use it as a walking pole. This current model looks even better.

    I'm sure the Hama pod is well made but I don't see any advantage of a tilt/pivot head on a monopod as you can simply rotate or lean the pod & camera as required - furthermore, the added weight, complexity and presence of the head may be detrimental to efficient use.

    Cheers,
    John

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Monopod

      The Hama one has quite a few negative reviews on Amazon. all about the head which doesn't seem to be up to the standard of the leg.
      Personally, I wouldn't want a pan and tilt head on a monopod, I find the handle gets in the way.

      The one I have is the Velbon UP-400, which is a bit more expensive but has all positive reviews


      I really like it. It doesn't come with a head and so I bought a cheap ball head.

      I always feel that walking around the countryside with this in one hand (minus camera) it would act as a good deterrent to anyone who felt that my camera should become his, looks like a pretty efficient club.
      EOS 6D, 6D Mk II, 80D, 70D, 100D, 200D, M50, M100. Canon 10-18, 18 - 55, 55 - 250 IS STM lenses, Canon 16 - 35 mm F4L, 35 mm EF-S macro, 50 mm F1.8 STM, 60 mm EF-S macro, MPE-65 macro, 85 mm F1.8, 200 mm F2.8 L II, M 15 - 45 mm, M 22mm F2, M 32mm F1.4. Sigma 24 - 35 F2 Art, 135 mm F1.8 Art, 17 - 50 F2.8 DC, 105 mm OS macro, 100 - 400 C, 150 - 600 C.

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        #4
        Re: Monopod

        My first monopod was the Jessops version of this and I also got a Hama tripod, both when I knew no better and they are both cheap tat and really not worth spending money on

        I now have a manfrotto 679B and a 234 RC tilting head, more expensive at around £70 - 80 but well made and will last
        Stan - LRPS, CPAGB, BPE2*

        http://neptuno-photography.foliopic.com/
        flickr

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          #5
          Re: Monopod

          I have a Manfrotto XPRO ALU with a tilt head, it sits alongside my Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod, it uses the same quick release plate making it very handy, not sure how much it was given as a gift, £60ish.
          Nigel

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            #6
            Re: Monopod

            I bought a Manfrotto tripod and would have bought a more expensive monopod if I intended it for use with a heavy lens, such as the Sigma 150 - 600, but for normal use I wouldn't bother to splash out that much. As Nat is thinking about his indoor shots of concerts etc I reckon he wouldn't need anything too special as it won't be carrying that much weight.
            EOS 6D, 6D Mk II, 80D, 70D, 100D, 200D, M50, M100. Canon 10-18, 18 - 55, 55 - 250 IS STM lenses, Canon 16 - 35 mm F4L, 35 mm EF-S macro, 50 mm F1.8 STM, 60 mm EF-S macro, MPE-65 macro, 85 mm F1.8, 200 mm F2.8 L II, M 15 - 45 mm, M 22mm F2, M 32mm F1.4. Sigma 24 - 35 F2 Art, 135 mm F1.8 Art, 17 - 50 F2.8 DC, 105 mm OS macro, 100 - 400 C, 150 - 600 C.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Monopod

              nat don't get a cheapo one ,pop down to cambrian and at least you can see how it feels .manfrotto are probably the best bet .you most definitely DO NOT need a swivel or quick release head just a plain monopod

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Monopod

                Absolutely no disrespect intended, but I think you might want to consider just what £17 would represent in overall terms of design / materials / manufacture / distribution / profit ...

                I would suggest looking more towards £35-70 as your budget. A good monopod will last many years and is worth the initial extra investment. Personally I have a Manfrotto and it is now about 15 years old.

                I always prefer to use a head on my monopod rather than attaching the camera directly simply because I think it is too easy to stress the camera mounting socket with a monopod by over tightening.

                Probably because I have shaky hands, I find a monopod an incredible benefit for situations when a tripod is not an option.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Monopod

                  Nat, I have a Manfrotto one with a Manfrotto tilt head rattling around in the car boot that I no longer use if you want it, it has their head on it with some quick release plates for it, I went over to Arca Swiss plates on everything and a Feisol Carbon Fibre jobbie.

                  Just had a look, it is a Manfrotto 680B and a 234 RC tilting head on it. You do not need pan as you swivel with it,
                  Last edited by TonyT; 24-01-2017, 15:32.
                  Canon 1DX, 50D, EF500 F4.0 L, EF100-400 f/4.5-5.6L I , EF100-400 f/4.5-5.6L II, EF70-200 f/2.8L II, EF180 f3.5L Macro, EF 24-105 f/4L, EF17-40 f/4L, EF2.0X III, EF1.4X III, 430EX II, MR-14EX...

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Monopod

                    Thanks good folk for all your good advice. I am only looking for a monopod for my indoor church and concert pictures which I take in low light. I am sure a monopod would steady the camera and without holding it in the hand. Tony,thanks for the offer, I will get back to you via PM once I take a good look at your Manfrotto 680B

                    Tony- PM sent.
                    Last edited by Nathaniel; 24-01-2017, 18:15.
                    Canon 6D; Canon 760D;Canon G15;Canon 40mm f2.8(Pancake);Canon 50mm f1.8(ii); Canon 17mm-40mm f4L;Canon EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM;Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 STM lens;Canon 24mm-105mmf4L IS;Canon 70-300mm f4-f5.6 L IS USM;Kenko 1.4x HD TC;Canon 430EX ii flash;Giottos tripod;Manfretto monopod;Cokin P filters + bits and pieces!

                    www.flickr.com/photos/nathaniel3390

                    North Wales where music and the sea give a great concert!

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Monopod

                      Nat,

                      I do not know how tall you are, but make sure that its a suitable height. I got a free one and being 6ft 5 and the monopod only going to 6 foot, I was bending over it just slightly and after a while - it does get to your back.

                      If you are tall then it may be worth checking the height / paying out extra to make sure you aren't bent over all the time.
                      Andy
                      Canon 700D, Canon 1100D
                      EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM, EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II, EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, EF 50mm F/1.8 II
                      [Wishlist: EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro]

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Monopod

                        I take you point Andy. I am 5' 8" in height. i usually take my low light pics, seated so as not to disturb the audience who have paid good money for the event!!!!!!! Thanks for your offer. I will get back to you.
                        Canon 6D; Canon 760D;Canon G15;Canon 40mm f2.8(Pancake);Canon 50mm f1.8(ii); Canon 17mm-40mm f4L;Canon EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM;Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 STM lens;Canon 24mm-105mmf4L IS;Canon 70-300mm f4-f5.6 L IS USM;Kenko 1.4x HD TC;Canon 430EX ii flash;Giottos tripod;Manfretto monopod;Cokin P filters + bits and pieces!

                        www.flickr.com/photos/nathaniel3390

                        North Wales where music and the sea give a great concert!

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Monopod

                          Koolehaoda Professional 65-inch Camera Aluminium Monopod with Folding Three Feet Support Stand https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OOBUI..._WN5HybWG7PAJV I've had this one a while, very pleased with it, comes with a belt attachment and it's very stable using like that, really impressed by the quality.

                          Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

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                            #14
                            Re: Monopod

                            nat dont exaggerate your only 4'8" LOL

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Monopod

                              In his high heals?

                              Nat pm'd you back, not after anything for it, it is 60.63" tall without the head that will add another couple, plus the camera.

                              This is it

                              Discover the best camera and video camera tripods, monopods and photography accessories from Manfrotto.
                              Canon 1DX, 50D, EF500 F4.0 L, EF100-400 f/4.5-5.6L I , EF100-400 f/4.5-5.6L II, EF70-200 f/2.8L II, EF180 f3.5L Macro, EF 24-105 f/4L, EF17-40 f/4L, EF2.0X III, EF1.4X III, 430EX II, MR-14EX...

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