Topic: Monopods... worthwhile? Pages that link to <a href="https://ozoneasylum.com/backlink?for=21478" title="Pages that link to Topic: Monopods... worthwhile?" rel="nofollow" >Topic: Monopods... worthwhile?\

 
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PaulBM
Nervous Wreck (II) Inmate

From:
Insane since: Sep 2003

IP logged posted posted 04-21-2004 17:33 Edit Quote

I am looking into buying a monopod. But, I've read differing reports. Some say they really don't help much with steadying your camera, but others sing their praises, of their compactness and that they can be used where using a tripod would be a no no.

As with all camera equipment prices vary greatly, can anyone recommend a good make? I'm also looking for one that closes to around 40cm.

Thanks.

eyezaer
Lunatic (VI) Mad Scientist

From: the Psychiatric Ward
Insane since: Sep 2000

IP logged posted posted 04-22-2004 01:10 Edit Quote

video or still?

Used one with video a while back. it... really didnt fly well at-tall.

no way does it hold the camera rock solid still. you wont move up and down but you still sway around a good bit.


[antique sigs are us]

synax
Maniac (V) Inmate

From: Cell 666
Insane since: Mar 2002

IP logged posted posted 04-22-2004 01:26 Edit Quote

Even so, it's still ALOT more stable than holding the camera by hands. It all depends on what you want to do with it.

"Nothin' like a pro-stabbin' from a pro." -Weadah

Flea
Bipolar (III) Inmate

From: Camden AR
Insane since: Aug 2003

IP logged posted posted 04-22-2004 01:27 Edit Quote

i use one all the time when shooting high school football at night ... it offers stability .. but still the ability to quickly move without having the obstruction that a tripod has ...

as for if it is something that would be useful to you ... that is up to you and what you are shooting ... i would reccomend getting one with a good thickness to so your hand doesn't cramp while holding onto it ...

Das
Maniac (V) Inmate

From: Houston(ish) Texas
Insane since: Jul 2000

IP logged posted posted 04-22-2004 08:36 Edit Quote

I use one every time I use the big telephoto lens at the zoo. Gives me 3 stops over hand-held, I'd guess. Of course, the camera/lens combo is so heavy that using it handheld is extra shaky.

PaulBM
Nervous Wreck (II) Inmate

From:
Insane since: Sep 2003

IP logged posted posted 04-22-2004 10:44 Edit Quote

Still photography.

I imagine uses similar to Flea, times when a tripod is not viable, but a few extra stops for, perhaps that indoor shot, would help.

We don't have any real specialist shops here, only an outlet from a chain of stores, Jessops. So I've only really seen cheap plastic ones, for 10 to 15 pounds.

Can anyone recommend a few manufacturers that are worthwhile considering?

http://www.camera-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Manfrotto_Monopods.html

Manfrotto maybe?

frankacaba
Bipolar (III) Inmate

From: Edmonds. WA
Insane since: Jul 2003

IP logged posted posted 04-22-2004 20:41 Edit Quote

Good monopod for the money, ez pod

Frank

Das
Maniac (V) Inmate

From: Houston(ish) Texas
Insane since: Jul 2000

IP logged posted posted 04-23-2004 09:09 Edit Quote

Bogen makes some good ones. That's what I've got.

Wes
Paranoid (IV) Mad Scientist

From: Inside THE BOX
Insane since: May 2000

IP logged posted posted 04-23-2004 15:28 Edit Quote

Bogen = Manfrotto

I have a Gitzo microphone fishpole and the quality is excellent. I imagine their monopods would be very similar.

Das
Maniac (V) Inmate

From: Houston(ish) Texas
Insane since: Jul 2000

IP logged posted posted 04-24-2004 04:16 Edit Quote

I'm sure Gitzo monopods are as well-made as everything else they make, but they are pretty pricy. The cheapest I can find on B&H is $100.

(Edited by Das on 04-23-2004 19:16)

Flea
Bipolar (III) Inmate

From: Camden AR
Insane since: Aug 2003

IP logged posted posted 04-24-2004 05:59 Edit Quote

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5251&is=REG

that is the monopod i currently use .. on my second one ... i can vouch for the durability ... have been hit by 3 football
players at once ... and it barely dented the pod .. i cant say the same about my leg tho ...

Relain
Paranoid (IV) Inmate

From: westernesse
Insane since: Jul 2000

IP logged posted posted 04-26-2004 09:44 Edit Quote

if you want, you could get gyros instead! heh.

You can actually buy little pods that attach to the tripod mount, these contain bascially some orthognal rotors which spin at about 6000rpm. The resulting angular momentum gives resistance to movement [not really the most rigorous explanation] about the x and y axes (up-down and left-right).

The company claim that the smallest one gives you about two extra stops at handheld, and they had some photos at 1/30 on a 200mm lens which were sharp [something liek that anyway]. it struck me as a fairly impressive brute force solution to the problem of image stabilisation.



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