Ultimate monopod

Gaffer · 3 Mar 2011 at 18:46

Earlier this week, I pressed "New Thread" and wrote a post titled "Spec me a monopod". I spent a while writing it, thinking about the options but by the time I had finished, I had made up my own mind anyway...

I wanted two Monopods. One for the 800mm f/5.6 and the second for a 400mm f/2.8. Big beasts.

I wanted fast setup and fast collapse.

I looked at different monopods. I looked at Manfrotto heads. I looked at Really Right Stuff heads.

But in the end, there was only one choice:

The Manfrotto 685B Neotec:
http://www.manfrotto.com/product/8374.76909.76914.0.0/685B/_/Neotec_Monopod_with_Safety_Lock

Setup: Put your foot on the footplate and simply lift. It locks where you stop.
Collapse: Squeeze the trigger and let the weight of the camera collapse the 'pod to the ground.

And the head? A Wimberley 2. You can grab the monopod by the handle and nothing moves.

Perfect.

Andrew

Derek W · 13 Mar 2011 at 21:38

might be worth a shout that one. I've been meaning to start a topic on spec me a monopod since one of the latches on my cheapo high street one broke last weekend (although still functions) but then i remembered seeing this post. will take a look into this

Troop · 13 Mar 2011 at 23:01

Save you're self some money, buy the Benro GH-2 head !!!!

I use it on my monopod (681B) and Gitzo GT5541LS, with a 400mm f/2.8, it is an exact copy of the Wimberly, been using mine for over 2 years without a problem. (its half the price of the Wimberly)

Gaffer · 13 Mar 2011 at 23:03

Derek W said:
might be worth a shout that one. I've been meaning to start a topic on spec me a monopod since one of the latches on my cheapo high street one broke last weekend (although still functions) but then i remembered seeing this post. will take a look into this

If you make it to Edinburgh, you are welcome to try...

Andrew

feriso · 14 Mar 2011 at 10:51

Sorry to but in and possibly go OT but are they any monopods that act as walking sticks as well?

Gaffer · 14 Mar 2011 at 12:05

feriso said:
Sorry to but in and possibly go OT but are they any monopods that act as walking sticks as well?

I have seen walking sticks (those fancy carbon fibre type ones) that have a tripod screw in the top.

Andrew

Derek W · 14 Mar 2011 at 18:03

what sort of head would you recommend for the 70 - 200 with extender to go with the monopod? I already have the manfrotto 804RC2 with my tripod but thats too bulky for essentially just panning shots at the footy.