Gear Talk > Software & Accessories

Manfrotto Monopod

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B-Man:
As the title says, im looking to get my 1st monopod to add up my current accessories. The monopod im interested is the Manfrotto Carbon Fibre 4-Section Monopod #694CX and couple with Manfrotto Monopod Quick Release Head #234RC. Main usage for hiking and night photography.

The monopod and quick release head have a weight load capacity of 5kg and 2.5kg respectively. While my current DSLR with 70-200 lens is already 2.6kg and if i add external flash it roughly become 3.2kg. All these will over-load the weight capacity on the #234RC Quick Release Head.

Is this okay? Should i avoid my selected Monopod configuration? Will the Quick Release Head strong enough to withstand heavier than the stated maximum weight of 2.5kg?

Any alternative Monopod or/and quick release head? Prefer to stick to Manfrotto brand because i can easily switch my gear between monopod and tripod as they share the same release quick-system RC2. Really like carbon fibre as it is very light. Anyone have use the same Monopod configuration like mine? I can spend up to a limit of £110-130 only.

FYI: i already have Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 tripod and #498RC2 ball head but i don''t want to take off/on the ball head every time i want to use either the tripod or monopod. I cannot justify the price for getting another ball head dedicated for the monopod like the #496RC2. Any help?

Current Gear:-

Canon 1000D + kit
Canon 70-200mm L 2.8 IS II
Canon 580ExII

Really appreciate for any help and info. Thanks in advance!

neuroanatomist:
It will be fine.  I have the 694CX monopod with the 234 head, and I routinely use that with a gripped 7D and 100-400mm (totals to a bit over 3 kg), no issues at all.

FWIW, I used to have the 234RC and the 488RC2, but I found the little bit of play in the RC2 plate/clamp a challenge in critical situations.  Also, I plan to get an L-bracket for the 1D X I have on preorder, and the Manfrotto offerings for L-brackets aren't attractive to me.  So, I switched to the Arca Swiss system.  Currently, I have a 468MG head on my 190CXPRO4 tripod and a 234 tilt head on the monopod, both with Wimberley C-12 clamps.  One advantage to the AS plates is that they work with nearly any system - except Manfrotto (and Gitzo, who also use a proprietary plate, but while their legs are great their heads are not well regarded).

B-Man:
The Wimberley C-12 clamps looks great! It is quite difficult to get that stuff in UK and it cost around £80+ each by just goggling it ..LOL! Maybe someone can point me to an online store based in UK?

Maybe i'll switch to Arca Swiss system with the Wimberly C-12 Clamps some other day but not in the near future. I thought that each tripod/monopod brand have their own proprietary plate but i was wrong.

Yes the L-brackets offered by Manfrotto is not that really outstanding plus it doesn't offer for RC2 plate type L-brackets.

How long you have been using your 694cx Monopod? Is it that really good? Have you got any problem with the lock mechanism? Any drawbacks or complain about it?

ScottyP:
It is the heads that have the relatively wimpy max weight loads.  Getting a monopod that can handle 17 or 26 or more pounds is really no big deal.  Getting a head to do more than 5.5 pounds or so is a fairly expensive upgrade.

One could always buy the flat monopod only and rotate the camera inside the tripod foot on the lens, as long as you don't switch between portrait and landscape orientation constantly. 

neuroanatomist:

--- Quote from: B-Man on May 08, 2012, 06:45:53 PM ---The Wimberley C-12 clamps looks great! It is quite difficult to get that stuff in UK and it cost around £80+ each by just goggling it ..LOL! Maybe someone can point me to an online store based in UK?

How long you have been using your 694cx Monopod? Is it that really good? Have you got any problem with the lock mechanism? Any drawbacks or complain about it?

--- End quote ---


Try http://www.bobrigby.com/.

I've had the 694CX for over 2 years, no issues at all.  I use it frequently during the spring and summer.

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