Giottos P-Pod, other Monopods?

d.bradley · 03-03-2007, 09:23 AM

Anyone have experience with this Giottos Monopod?

p-pod series

Some folks complain about the weight, but it's only 1-200g more than a Manfrotto 3-4 section aluminum with a pan head which weighs in at 1100g.

The manfrotto pan head (234rc I think) is only spec'd out for 2.5kg whereas the Giottos is rated at 15kg...I assume that rating included the head.

Is there anything else I should be looking that won't break the bank? This one is robust and feature-laden...is there anything light and economical that would take a k10d + 300/4 ?

Thanks!

*roy* · 03-03-2007, 07:47 PM

using it like in the first shot as an extended tripod would be a joke, big time. a breath of air would move it. the bipod configureation makes me wonder however.
a manfrotto 679b is all you'll need.
roy

d.bradley · 03-03-2007, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by roy

using it like in the first shot as an extended tripod would be a joke, big time. a breath of air would move it. the bipod configureation makes me wonder however.
a manfrotto 679b is all you'll need.
roy

Yah the tripod design is meant to be used as a 'third hand' to hold the camera for changing lenses and the like. IT also mentions using it as a microphone stand...which I have done in the past with similar monopod designs in the past with great success. It may seem like a silly feature, but it's not bad for those of us in the multimedia production business.

So do you recommend a tilt head with the 679?

roscot · 03-04-2007, 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by d.bradley

Is there anything else I should be looking that won't break the bank? This one is robust and feature-laden...is there anything light and economical that would take a k10d + 300/4 ?

Thanks!

Here's what I use.
Bogen / Manfrotto 3245 Monopod (Black)
I use it with a Manfrotto 486RC2 Ball head. I love the auto 3rd section. Very quick and easy adjustments.

*roy* · 03-04-2007, 07:40 AM

i've got one and use it with a small ballhead. it's also only forty bucks. the one i keep in the car tho cost half that and is a 4 section no-name from eekbay. it stays in the car because it's silver and i'm always a dust bomb.