Suggestions for a first monopod for a 5D3...?

[curtisnull]

Just skip to the best and get a Gitzo. I've owned several Bogen/Manfrotto monopods and tripods over the years. The Manfrotto's are good but tend to fall apart after a few years. The Gitzo keeps on going.

 

[dlleno]

Just skip to the best and get a Gitzo. I've owned several Bogen/Manfrotto monopods and tripods over the years. The Manfrotto's are good but tend to fall apart after a few years. The Gitzo keeps on going.

I love the height of the 3551, so +1 on this. the RRS will be top drawer as well if its length is sufficient. the only reason I didn't go "all RRS" (monopod and head) is because of the 67.25" height.

 

[cayenne]

Just skip to the best and get a Gitzo. I've owned several Bogen/Manfrotto monopods and tripods over the years. The Manfrotto's are good but tend to fall apart after a few years. The Gitzo keeps on going.

I love the height of the 3551, so +1 on this. the RRS will be top drawer as well if its length is sufficient. the only reason I didn't go "all RRS" (monopod and head) is because of the 67.25" height.

I'm still in a quandry about this....so, trying to figure out what quick release system I'm going to go with, and base my monopod, and figure what to do about my existing tripod (manfrotto)...and heads and systems to hook on my rhino slider when it arrives...

So, this thread I'm still researching through....likely gonna be a couple months after I pay off xmas stuff (for me and others), and I'll revisit this one.

If I somehow get lucky enough to get selected by the folks for the amateur section of the New Orleans Jazz Fest photographer volunteers they allow in...I'll definitely be wanting a monopod to take in for that.

C

 

[cayenne]

This is without a doubt the best video monopod I've ever used: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/737980-REG/Manfrotto_561BHDV_1_Fluid_Video_Monopod_W_Head.html

+1 I have this Monopod and it superb + it has the 501PL quick release plate, as I also have the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 701HDV head, I can switch across between them. I'm probably going to get a 055MH05-Q5 Manfrotto ball head after xmas and that also uses the 501 quick-release plate (you can buy extra plates for around 21 euros or <$30, if you wanted to use them for lights, speedlites etc. or if you wish to keep one permanently o your new 70-200 and another on your DSLR)

Hi all,

Ok, I'm revisiting this because I think I've found a great deal....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?Top+Nav-Search=&Q=&A=endecaSearch&sts=ma&InitialSearch=yes&N=0&O=&Ntt=SPE13Q6GPT price looks right.

My question is...is this QR an Arca Swiss compatible QR plate system? I want to get to this type I believe from the posts I"ve had on this thread and another one (http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=11360.0 ) on QR systems...

THere are some B&H deals going on with the current lessons going on there, and I think they end at midnight tomorrow, so I'm trying to decide what to do. This monopod above, I believe is the 561 BHDV.

There also appears to be a fluid head too...which I might want to get to replace my current manfrotto, that has what I think is called the RC QR...which I want to get away from. Please look at this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?Top+Nav-Search=&Q=&A=endecaSearch&sts=ma&InitialSearch=yes&N=0&O=&Ntt=SPE13HLF8C

Does this use the same QR system as the monopod above?

Lastly, I have the manfrotto 055XDB...with the fluid head that came with it (128RC), that used the RC QR...I don't see how just by looking at it, to replace the head, but can this be done with the fluid head listed above?

Again, I'm wanting to get the same QR system I can use across multiple things...I have a rhino slider coming in soon, and I'll want to get a head and plate system for that...which I can use the same QR system for going rapidly between slider, monopod to tripod....

Thanks in advance,

cayenne

 

[cayenne]

This is without a doubt the best video monopod I've ever used: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/737980-REG/Manfrotto_561BHDV_1_Fluid_Video_Monopod_W_Head.html

+1 I have this Monopod and it superb + it has the 501PL quick release plate, as I also have the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 701HDV head, I can switch across between them. I'm probably going to get a 055MH05-Q5 Manfrotto ball head after xmas and that also uses the 501 quick-release plate (you can buy extra plates for around 21 euros or <$30, if you wanted to use them for lights, speedlites etc. or if you wish to keep one permanently o your new 70-200 and another on your DSLR)

Hi all,

Ok, I'm revisiting this because I think I've found a great deal....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?Top+Nav-Search=&Q=&A=endecaSearch&sts=ma&InitialSearch=yes&N=0&O=&Ntt=SPE13Q6GPT price looks right.

My question is...is this QR an Arca Swiss compatible QR plate system? I want to get to this type I believe from the posts I"ve had on this thread and another one (http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=11360.0 ) on QR systems...

THere are some B&H deals going on with the current lessons going on there, and I think they end at midnight tomorrow, so I'm trying to decide what to do. This monopod above, I believe is the 561 BHDV.

There also appears to be a fluid head too...which I might want to get to replace my current manfrotto, that has what I think is called the RC QR...which I want to get away from. Please look at this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?Top+Nav-Search=&Q=&A=endecaSearch&sts=ma&InitialSearch=yes&N=0&O=&Ntt=SPE13HLF8C

Does this use the same QR system as the monopod above?

Lastly, I have the manfrotto 055XDB...with the fluid head that came with it (128RC), that used the RC QR...I don't see how just by looking at it, to replace the head, but can this be done with the fluid head listed above?

Again, I'm wanting to get the same QR system I can use across multiple things...I have a rhino slider coming in soon, and I'll want to get a head and plate system for that...which I can use the same QR system for going rapidly between slider, monopod to tripod....

Thanks in advance,

cayenne

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?


This sale ends at midnight tonight...and I'd appreciate some help with the monopod/plates issue, I want to plan for new purchases that will allow me to use on QR system across all of them...and I've heard this is a GREAT monopod, but needing to buy one that will work with a common QR system going forward, and if this 501 plate system is arca swiss compatible, it sounds like it would be the way to go..?

Thanks in advance,

cayenne

 

[Loswr]

...if this 501 plate system is arca swiss compatible, it sounds like it would be the way to go..?

Sorry, but it's not. The 501PL and 504PL plates used by the two B&H items you linked are interchangeable (the 504 is a longer version of the 501), but they're compatible only with certain Manfrotto heads. If you want to convert Manfrotto 501-compatible heads to work with Arca-Swiss plates, you need the Kirk SQRC-501PL ($150).

 

[cayenne]

...if this 501 plate system is arca swiss compatible, it sounds like it would be the way to go..?

Sorry, but it's not. The 501PL and 504PL plates used by the two B&H items you linked are interchangeable (the 504 is a longer version of the 501), but they're compatible only with certain Manfrotto heads. If you want to convert Manfrotto 501-compatible heads to work with Arca-Swiss plates, you need the Kirk SQRC-501PL ($150).

*sigh*...ok.

Hey, THANK YOU for all the help and info.

I think I'm gonna go with this...and later, bite the dust, and do this conversion.

Again..thank you for the help!!

C

 

[sagittariansrock]

By the way, I know some people may have issues with the Manfrotto QR plates (the fact that the system wobbles even when locked in) but I think the bigger problem is the friction lock on the ballhead- so even if you switch out the QR plate for an Arca-Swiss style mount you don't resolve the main issue.

 

[Loswr]

By the way, I know some people may have issues with the Manfrotto QR plates (the fact that the system wobbles even when locked in) but I think the bigger problem is the friction lock on the ballhead- so even if you switch out the QR plate for an Arca-Swiss style mount you don't resolve the main issue.

I had minor issues with both, actually. I started with the 488RC2 ballhead, and that head 'settles' under load (you need to 'aim high' to compensate, by a varying amount depending on the lens), plus there's the issue with the RC2 plate being loose even when locked. The Manfrotto 468MG hydrostatic head solves the issue of the settling ballhead - that thing locks tight, and with minimal effort. Replacing the RC2 clamp with a Wimberley C-12 solved the plate issue, resulting in a very good ballhead.

Still...a 468MG plus Wimberley C-12 combo is over $300 new, and that's pretty close to the Really Right Stull BH-40 at $375. I bought the 468MG used for a great price, but IMO, if buying new the BH-40 would be the better way to go.

FWIW, I am actually selling my Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 and Arca-Swiss converted 468MG - the buyer is due to show up in less than an hour. Nothing 'wrong' with the setup from a support standpoint, I'm selling it because I want something shorter as a travel tripod. The 190CXPRO4 fits in my Storm im2500 carryon hard case, but barely and only with the head removed - I wanted something that would fit without removing the head, and not compromise stability. Not coincidentally, a Really Right Stuff TQC-14 with BH-30 LR is on a UPS truck for delivery to me this morning. The RRS setup is much shorter (tripod + ballhead are shorter than the 190CXPRO4 legs alone), lighter, the same height with the center column down, and is substantially stronger. How much stronger? The legs are rated at 25 lbs, but to give you an idea of how conservative RRS' support ratings are, check out the video where RRS owner Joe Johnson puts a medium format camera on the 25-lb rated tripod...then swings himself from the legs).

 

[ahab1372]

Do tell: Did you do the swinging thing? Or your kids?
Really cool stuff

 

[Loswr]

Do tell: Did you do the swinging thing? Or your kids?
Really cool stuff

I started to try it with the Manfrotto 190CXPRO4, with just a fraction of my weight the legs started bowing inward alarmingly, I stopped immediately. As soon as I unpacked the TQC-14, I tried it. Almost no flex when supporting my weight.

 

[ahab1372]

That is impressive. Probably not the primary application of a tripod for most users, but I can imagine that it feels good to know that this tripod will not any blur to the pictures, and most likely will last a long time.