Loyal Site Supporter Registered: September, 2016 Location: Central Iowa, USA Posts: 173 | | Review Date: November 26, 2023 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sturdy, gets the job done | | Cons: | None for me | |
My monopod was purchased back in the latter half of the 1990s, and has been used ever since. It's the oldest piece of photo equipment I have purchased that I still actively use.
At the time I purchased my monopod, Bogen was the Manfrotto distributor in the US, and Bogen sold the Manfrotto 680 monopod as the Bogen 3249. The 680 in black (the 680B) was distributed by Bogen as the 3249B. My monopod has a prominent Bogen label which identifies the unit as a 3249, and the monopod has a polished aluminum finish with an engraved 'made in Italy for bogen by Manfrotto' on the top section.
Manfrotto still stocks spares and accessories for the 3249/680. I recently ordered replacement parts from Manfrotto (replacing a bent tilt handle for an old pan/tilt tripod head) and had no issues - the part was priced reasonably, and delivery from Italy to the US was quick.
I've used my 3249 monopod to shoot field sports (soccer mostly), auto racing (IMSA sport cars), and interior shots (botanical gardens/centers, museums, plus other places that disallow tripods). I've also found that a monopod is a good accessory for travel, as monopods are quick to set up, don't get in the way of others, easily fit in checked luggage, and do a good job of steadying a camera. Of course a monopod isn't as good as a tripod for holding a camera steady, but a monopod is a whole lot steadier than hand-holding.
And when shooting at a sporting event - auto racing, soccer, etc. - hand holding a long lens and a camera for the duration of an event is really tough. When the camera and lens is supported by a monopod it's a lot easier...
Unlike other reviewers on PentaxForums, I don't have a ball head on my tripod, instead I have a Manfrotto tilt head with a quick release, which is an earlier version of the current 234RC called the 3229. Functionally equivalent to the 234RC, the 3229 uses the same 200PL quick release plate as the 234RC and the head has worked well the entire time I've had the unit. The head can pivot to a vertical orientation, allowing for easy portrait orientation shots. I have found the tilt head to be completely satisfactory for me - given what and how I shoot, I have had no interest in - or need for - a ball head for my monopod.
The 3249/680 is a four-section monopod, which has both plusses and minuses:
- Plusses - shorter overall length when collapsed compared to a three section monopod
- Minuses - another section to fiddle with when extending or collapsing
There are still a lot of 3249/680s around; I saw several inexpensive ($30-ish) examples on a popular auction site before writing this review. I would recommend a good used 3249 to any photographer looking for a quality monopod for not a lot of money.
Some examples of photos taken while shooting from my monopod:
Symphony in Yellow (Taken at Des Moines Botanical Center, which disallows tripods)
K-1, Tamron SP macro 72B 90/2.8 (manual focus) @f/16, 1/160 sec, ISO 640:
Sebring Turn 7 - Braking Hard (Panning shot taken during the 2019 12 Hours of Sebring)
KP, DA* 60-250/4 @140mm, f/6.7, 1/250 sec, ISO 400
 | |
Closed Account Registered: March, 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 415
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 23, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $70.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very stable | | Cons: | None | |
My best one ever for a heavy system such as a K1 II and DA* 50-135mm f2.8. Perfect for sports or moving subjects such as birds used with a Cullman ball head just loose enough the follow the action.
| |
Closed Account Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 8,694
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 28, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $64.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Easy to use, sturdy, well made, good load capacity | | Cons: | None for me | |
This monopod is another excellent product from Manfrotto. I use the Manfrotto 486rc2 ball head with this monopod and find it a great combination. The aluminum construction is a little heavier than the newer carbon fiber models, but it is also cheaper. I can highly recommend this monopod.
| |
Veteran Member Registered: March, 2009 Location: Ohio, USA/ India Posts: 478 | | Review Date: June 7, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
|
This is an excellent product when coupled with a ballhead. I have used this with the k20d with grip and 70-200 lens attached. When walking around it is easy to rest the camera on your shoulder with the monopod attached to it. It took a while for me to get used to using a monopod. If you are first time user please allow a few weeks to get familiar with the use of this equipment.
| |
PEG Moderator Registered: August, 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Posts: 57,819
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 8, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | As above and below. | | Cons: | None, that I've found | |
Just to agree and to add a bit more, with all that has been said, I've been using one now, for a good number of years for both sports and music/gig photography.
In addition I use the Manfrotto 234 Monopod Tilt Head, it just adds the additional plane of movement that I require in use, they also have quick release versions available if required.
Also it collapses down small enough to fit suitcases when traveling, I wouldn't recommend hand luggage, as it has a shape similar enough on x ray scanners to get you unwelcome attention.  | |
