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Inspiring and Supporting Photographers of Australian Birds

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Discussions about cameras, lenses, accessories, and image-processing.
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Monopods; Carrying and quickly attaching between monopod and carry sling mounting. 6 years 8 months ago #1212

  • Rodney Appleby
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I have bought myself a Manfrotto 250A monopod. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1111316-REG/manfrotto_mvm250a_aluminum_fluid_monopod_head.html
Light, sturdy and am loving the fold out feet and swivel base for the extra stability and support, especially in soft ground.
Currently, I am just screwing it into the "base" of my Sigma 120-300 f2.8. I imagine this is not good in the long term for the threads but in the short term if I am walking for a few kms it is a nuisance, especially if I am not stationary for a long time or the bird is high up in the canopy.
What I would like to know from others is how do you;
(a) carry their monopod/tripod if not attached to the camera. Do you use a sling, special bag etc.
(b) how do you attach it to the camera? Ideally, I am looking for a system where I can easily swap between the monopod and a carry harness
(c) what sort of sling do you use to carry big lenses

One of the main concerns is the ability to carry the weight safely, it is not a light setup.

Thanks,

Rodney

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Last edit: by Rodney Appleby. Reason: Spelling

Monopods; Carrying and quickly attaching between monopod and carry sling mounting. 6 years 8 months ago #1216

  • Ian Wilson
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Hi Rodney,
I am a bit surprised that you feel the need for a monopod. Unless you have a physical disability that necessitates the use of a monopod, I recommend you learn to hand-hold your gear. You will get a lot more shots and more interesting shots if you can hand-hold your camera.

However, if a monopod is really necessary, I can recommend the following in part answer to your questions. First of all, you need a quick-release clamp and you definitely need a single-axis tilting head. Secondly, you need a tilting head (not a ball-head) that will safely take the load. The one we have is the KirkPhoto MPA-2 Monopod Head which is expensive but will handle up to 600 mm f/4 and is the best I have used. https://www.kirkphoto.com/tripod-monopod-heads/monopod-heads.html/?id=40

When walking with the monopod attached, we put the rig over the shoulder with the lens pointing down the back towards the ground. I often see people walking around with the lens pointing towards the sky, blissfully unaware of the damage that can be done if sunlight directly shines into the lens.

I am unable to advise on slings and similar as I have never found a solution that works better than carrying the camera over the shoulder using the strap that comes with the telephoto lens (Canon lenses). Third party shoulder straps are available that have a wide band to spread the load if you are carrying a 500 mm or 600 mm f/4. Whatever you do, make sure you can quickly get the camera to your eye and start shooting as fast as possible.

Cheers, Ian

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Monopods; Carrying and quickly attaching between monopod and carry sling mounting. 6 years 8 months ago #1218

  • Tony Ashton
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Agree totally with Ian. You'll miss out big time with monopod rather than shoulder carrying your 120-300. Solid tripod where necessary, yes. Monopod no. They just get in way and slow your reaction times. Cheers, Tony

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Monopods; Carrying and quickly attaching between monopod and carry sling mounting. 6 years 8 months ago #1220

  • Ian Wilson
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Hi Rodney,

I forgot to mention the Manfrotto 234 monopod tilting head. We also have one of these which only works well for light-weight camera gear. We fitted a KirkPhoto quick-release clamp to the Manfrotto 234 but there is also a cheaper quick-release gadget supplied by Manfrotto. The Model 234 tilting head is rated to 2.5 kg load which we found was not big and strong enough for a Canon 300 mm f/2.8 + 7D camera (I expect your rig will be similar load). For comparison, the KirkPhoto MPA-2 Monopod Head is rated to carry 35 kg.

I mention these details just in case you have a disability that requires the use of a monopod or tripod, otherwise I encourage you to hand-hold your gear.

Cheers, Ian

PS I have just noticed that your Manfrotto 250A is actually a video monopod with ball joint at the base enabling some freedom for pan and tilt. In this case, a tilting head like the ones mentioned above will probably be unnecessary. You will just need a quick-release gadget.

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Monopods; Carrying and quickly attaching between monopod and carry sling mounting. 6 years 8 months ago #1221

  • Peter Gower
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Ian and Tony,

I have a different slant on using a monopod. Many photographers cannot handhold big lenses steady enough without some support.
Certainly if you are working from a car, where many good photos are taken, or sitting or even standing well supported by a fence or tree,
it is possible to be steady enough for short periods.
If you are walking for several hours, carrying a big lens, especially 600mm f4, there will be a limited number of people able to get worthwhile results.
I find in this situation a tripod to be a nuisance, just more weight to carry. I use a monopod with a Manfrotto quick release. The monopod is the twist
type, so that I can slide it inside my belt when not in use. Yes I do a lot of photos hand held with no support. I do not have any swivel or tilt on the monopod.
When wanting to point the camera upwards I do not use the monopod. I am mostly using a Canon 400mm f4 DO lens with 1.4x TC although more recently
have used a Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 on a D800 which is a bit heavier than the 400mm.
Over a number of years, several times I have done tests comparing results hand held to using a monopod. A considerably higher % of photos are sharper with the monopod.
As has been said before there are many methods that can work well for different people when photographing birds.

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Monopods; Carrying and quickly attaching between monopod and carry sling mounting. 6 years 8 months ago #1222

  • Tony Ashton
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Hi Peter,

Few would be shakier than me. And with one knee in the grave. But that's what image stabilisers are for. You are right: you'll have a higher % of sharp pix, but I might get a few more split-second shots away.

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