[OrchidJulie]

Sort of an oxymoron, I know, but they do exist...

Been thinking of getting a monopod, something way lighter than a tripod for carrying around, particularly to places where tripods are discouraged, or awkward, or just plain too-much-to-schlep-so-far. I've had brief use of a loaner, a plain-vanilla Slik with no added head, just a mounting screw, and found it wobbly.

So, looking at monopods with short legs at the bottom, which suggest a bit more stability, and the Oben ACM2400L with "mini legs" looks interesting (and currently on sale at B&H). Has anyone used one of them? Pro or con? Reviews seem positive, but...

Thanks in advance for experience and expertise...

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Last edited by OrchidJulie; 12-25-2012 at 04:40 PM. Reason: typo

[Miguel]

I saw one of those in a store a couple of years ago & played for a bit to test my skepticism. Score another one for skepticism. Monopods derive their stability by forming a third leg with both of yours. The little feet are visual placebos.

If you want stability plus mobility, consider a chest-braced support such as an Ultrapod 2 or a GorrilaPod that is long and strong enough for DSLRs. I have both of these and they work well enough. It is all a bunch of compromises.

M

[Eric Auer]

Google is your Friend....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5495-REG/Manfrotto_682B_682B_Self_Standing_Monopod.html

Manfrotto 560B-1 Fluid Video Monopod with Head and Quick 560B-1

[OrchidJulie]

I saw one of those in a store a couple of years ago & played for a bit to test my skepticism. Score another one for skepticism. Monopods derive their stability by forming a third leg with both of yours. The little feet are visual placebos.

If you want stability plus mobility, consider a chest-braced support such as an Ultrapod 2 or a GorrilaPod that is long and strong enough for DSLRs. I have both of these and they work well enough. It is all a bunch of compromises.

M

Thanks, Miguel. With respect I have to disagree about a third leg; my legs are sturdy and stable, yes, but sometimes my hands and arms aren't, and a monopod gets no support from my legs, it's supported by my hand/arm. (I suppose I could strap it on a leg, but I think that would be more awkward than a tripod, neh?).

A Gorillapod is useless if you have nothing for it to grab onto, although I do think the concept is very interesting. Just not what I'm looking for right now.

[OrchidJulie]

Google is your Friend....

Manfrotto 682B Self Standing Monopod (Black) 682B B&H Photo

Manfrotto 560B-1 Fluid Video Monopod with Head and Quick 560B-1

Thanks, Corto. Yes, I was looking at that one, too. The Oben's on sale right now at B&H, and -- alas -- budget is definitely a factor. Tempting as it is, I think the Manfrotto is probably out of range for the available bank roll.

[Docrwm]

I own the VersiPod 2 and its a pretty easy to like piece of kit. I like the ones that you simply unstrap and open the legs on, instead of the ones that you have to unscrew the bottom, reverse it, screw it back in, and reverse the process when you want to put them away. You can read my review here:
Hakuba (but is marketed under other names too) VersiPod 2 reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

[OrchidJulie]

Ah, thank you for that suggestion! I shall investigate further... the price is definitely right (heck for that price, could get two, and then we wouldn't be fighting over which camera gets mounted on it... K-r or D7000...)

[blackcloudbrew]

I own the Manfrotto 560B. It has feet and is very useful. It's no substitute for a tripod but it's the next best thing.

[OrchidJulie]

I own the Manfrotto 560B. It has feet and is very useful. It's no substitute for a tripod but it's the next best thing.

Thanks. "next best thing" is what I'm looking for, something easy to carry that can be used in places where you want a tripod but can't use one, whether officially not allowed or just not practical given the environment.

[pacerr]

My choice is a BIPOD made from a light aluminum tripod. remove one leg. replace the stiff metal spreaders with a cord or chain. It provides nearly all of the practical steadiness of a tripod with much reduced bulk and weight and much better than a monopod.

Used with the camera neck strap to tether it, it provides reasonable hands free support for lens changes. With the two legs held together it may pass for "not a tripod" when necessary.

H2

[Docrwm]

My choice is a BIPOD made from a light aluminum tripod. remove one leg. replace the stiff metal spreaders with a cord or chain. It provides nearly all of the practical steadiness of a tripod with much reduced bulk and weight and much better than a monopod.

Used with the camera neck strap to tether it, it provides reasonable hands free support for lens changes. With the two legs held together it may pass for "not a tripod" when necessary.

H2

Intriguing. Can you post some photos, I'm having a bit of difficulty imagining how that would work. Thanks.

[OrchidJulie]

My choice is a BIPOD made from a light aluminum tripod. remove one leg. replace the stiff metal spreaders with a cord or chain. It provides nearly all of the practical steadiness of a tripod with much reduced bulk and weight and much better than a monopod.

Used with the camera neck strap to tether it, it provides reasonable hands free support for lens changes. With the two legs held together it may pass for "not a tripod" when necessary.

H2

@pacerr -- I'm with Doc on this... can't quite imagine it (well, sort of, but I'm sure I'm not seeing all the details), although it sounds interesting. Thanks for the idea!

[pacerr]

Can you post some photos

I'm on a road trip at the moment. Best I can do is refer you to this item in the DIY Articles forum. I'll up-date in a week or so.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/do-yourself/120508-v-head-pods.html

Basically, remove one leg and all three lower braces. Replace the braces for the two remaining legs with flexible cord or sash chain.

The pix shown in the above article is actually of a tripod I use with one brace replaced with sash chain to allow positioning closer to a wall/window while retaining the stability of a tripod but it should offer the clue you need.

In the field I often use a bipod with the v-head shown or a detachable magnetic ball head mount which offers great mobility and much better stability than a monopod. Obviously, a bipod serves a somewhat different function than a tripod if you need to walk away from the camera.

H2

With the two legs held together it may pass for "not a tripod" when necessary.

Without the braces, a rubber band or Velcro strap keeps the legs together when that's needed.

[Lloydy]

Plain monopod, simple twist release with no large clips or releases, a home made leather holster - you can get similar ones from DIY stores for hammers, and that's how I carry my monopod. Strangely, it has no name on it at all and I've never seen another exactly the same, but I've seen similar. The ball head is the smallest that Gitzo make with a Manfrotto quick release plate.
I swear by it, and have used it for about 12 years now. It's saved more pictures than I care to think about. With a bit of thought they can be rested on a fence, jammed against a tree or any number of things to make them rigid

[Docrwm]

Plain monopod, simple twist release with no large clips or releases, a home made leather holster - you can get similar ones from DIY stores for hammers, and that's how I carry my monopod. Strangely, it has no name on it at all and I've never seen another exactly the same, but I've seen similar. The ball head is the smallest that Gitzo make with a Manfrotto quick release plate.
I swear by it, and have used it for about 12 years now. It's saved more pictures than I care to think about. With a bit of thought they can be rested on a fence, jammed against a tree or any number of things to make them rigid

I like that belt holster for the monopod. Not having flip clamps makes that possible. Hmmm........no, I already have two monopods now