Tripods and Monopods

[annnewjerz]

A 6 section aluminum tent pole, custom fit to hold the camera right at eye level. This is not the aluminum we knew long ago, this specially tempered alloy is incredibly strong and takes over 10 pounds before it even thinks of starting to flex.

The whole thing folds to about 11" and assembles in seconds (just hold one end and shake it gently, it snaps together). Most decent camping stores can provide one, or there are online places that make replacement tent poles. I like about 0.380" diameter for a good mix of light and stiff, the 0.340" that I used for years was just a little bit too light.

Order one that is about 3"-4" below eye level for most SLRs.

For those with more $$$ and weaker backs, the carbon fiber weighs about 1/3 less (and costs 3x as much)!

This is going to sound so dumb, but how in the world do you attach your camera to the top of a tent pole?

 

[boBQuincy]

Not dumb at all. I don't attach the camera, at least not anymore.

Assembled tent poles come with aluminum ends to hold the internal shock cord (think long elastic cord) that ties the pole pieces together. The aluminum ends come in many types, the bottom one is plain or even tipped with nylon to make a little less noise than the metal. The top end had a 1/4-20 bolt to attach to the camera.

It seemed to be more trouble attached to the camera than it was worth and prevented me from balancing the weight of the camera and lens on the monopod, so I removed the bolt. Now I have a small rubber piece on top of the monopod and just prop the camera on it at the balance point. With a 70-200 it would be way out of balance using the tripod socket on the camera but it balances perfectly with the monopod under the lens (where the lens tripod ring goes).

The setup works well, I use it a lot for WDW stage shows (with two pole pieces folded up it is just the right height for sitting down).

 

[seashoreCM]

Some folks get the hang of a monopod and can get better pictures compared with hand held. Others like me can't hold a monopid steady and need a tripod.

 

[Graeme]

Not cheap, but I use one of these when out in the woods. Unscrew the wooden knob on the top and there's a camera mount underneath. The pole itself can be raised or lowered quite easily. I use a trekking pole anyway so you could argue that the only extra weight is the wooden knob!!

http://www.leki.com/Trekking/products.aspx?prodid=147

 

[ssanders79]

Not cheap, but I use one of these when out in the woods. Unscrew the wooden knob on the top and there's a camera mount underneath. The pole itself can be raised or lowered quite easily. I use a trekking pole anyway so you could argue that the only extra weight is the wooden knob!!

http://www.leki.com/Trekking/products.aspx?prodid=147

I've seen similar walking sticks at Target for about $20. I also tried a rifle stand ($12), but it was too weak. Here is one I might order as it seems more rugged. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...ct&cmCat=Related_IPL_225822&id=0058781228253a

 

[edolyne]

Just got a Gitzo 5541 monopod today, will be seeing over the weekend if my shots are improved with it as I have an event to shoot on Sunday night. If not it will be on it's way back to B&H for a tripod.

 

[seashoreCM]

Unscrew the wooden knob on the top and there's a camera mount underneath. ]

Do not force anything. If the threads on the stud don't match or if the stud is too long, you could damage your camera.

 

[boBQuincy]

One more advantage of an aluminum tent pole monopod is they do not seem to be seen as a threat by TSA agents. I have carried mine on many flights without so much as a question about it. In its favor is that it looks like (and could be) a collapsible cane.

 

[handicap18]

I have a bonus gift card coming to me from work for $50. I'll probably use it to get one of these monopods at amazon. Its not to heavy and you can use it with or without a ball head. I tried one out at a local camera store (they wanted $15 more than what amazon has it for).

Just remember to turn off your VR when using a tripod/monopod.

 

[Matt71]

Last year I brought a small tripod with me to teh parks, but found it too much of a pain to get out, set up and put away to bother with. Plus, it took up too much room at the parades with the crowds.

So, this year, I bought a monopod in the hopes it will be easier to use without getting in the way of anyone.

What are your experiences with using a monopod (or tripod) in the parks? DO you find they are sufficient in keeping your camera steady for things like Spectro and WIshes?

 

[Chikabowa]

I bought the cheapest, lightest, and easiest tripod I could find. It was purely throw-away at the end of the trip... but it did the job just fine.
While I have a really nice monopod, I couldn't hold it still long enough for the long exposure (20-30 seconds) work that I was doing. I doubt that I could have held it still enough even to do 1/10 or 1/8 shutters that I was shooting during Wishes.
We didn't see Spectro Magic while we were there, so I can't comment about that.

 

[Disneyfreak92]

I would imagine it could do the job for Spectro although I haven't tried using my monopod for that yet. I have used it at Fantasmic, and it worked well there. I know I need my tripod for Wishes due to the length of the exposures I typically take.

 

[ford91exploder]

I have a Manfrotto monopod which doubles as a walking stick and I also bring a small Manfrotto tripod and I mean small thing is about 18" overall. Best and lightest is a Gitzo carbon fiber but these are extremely spendy great if you are a working PJ but hard to justify otherwise.

Most of the time I use the monopod and a high ASA setting on the DSLR I've been using a camera for more years than I care to admit and a monopod can be used successfully for multi-second exposures if you have something to brace against.

Tripod is good if you have priority viewing and a clear spot to set up in or on top of trash can but most of the time it is in the way of other guests and my photography does not merit impairing another guests magical experience.

 

[RBennett]

Ok, so I just bought a Manfrotto 676B monopod for my everyday use and when I go on cruises. I figured, sometimes you may not have the capability of setting up an entire tripod, so a monopod would be a great alternative. However, here's my question: what type of head does everyone reccomend? I have a Pentax K100D camera if that helps. I can't figure out what I should get; the three-way head, the ball head, the qtvr head, the geared head, or something all-together different. THANKS!!!!!

 

[awoltoday]

Ok, so I just bought a Manfrotto 676B monopod for my everyday use and when I go on cruises. I figured, sometimes you may not have the capability of setting up an entire tripod, so a monopod would be a great alternative. However, here's my question: what type of head does everyone reccomend? I have a Pentax K100D camera if that helps. I can't figure out what I should get; the three-way head, the ball head, the qtvr head, the geared head, or something all-together different. THANKS!!!!!

What about a Swivel/Tilt Head for Monopods (234 or 234RC)? I am already married to Bogen/Manfrotto quick release plates. So, I just keep buying more of their heads...

 

[edolyne]

For a monopod head I would not recommend a ball head. Granted this is not from experience but from many suggestions found on the net. I have been searching for months now attempting to narrow down my monopod head and have come up with these options, all of which require an Arca Swiss type quick release plate. These plates can be bought specifically for the type of camera that you have and range from about $40 all the way up to $180. The arca plates are supposedly superior to others as they do not twist as they are designed specifically to the camera.

Here are the ones that I have found:

Kirk: http://www.kirkphoto.com/monopod.html - holds 6lbs

Really Right Stuff: http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/03.html - holds 6lbs
http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/04.html - holds 75lbs

Personally I believe that I am going to order the kirk due to the fact that it is specifically machined to match the Manfrotto head and is the most "reasonably" priced of the three.

 

[RBennett]

Thanks edolyne! Does anyone else have any suggestions?? I just hate to spend less than $40 on my monopod, and then $100 for the head.

 

[boBQuincy]

Here's a different idea: no head at all, just a small platform to rest the camera on. I use a small rubber piece (a Wel-nut) on top of my monopod and set the camera on it. This allows me to balance the camera on the monopod with a long lens and also allows tilting the camera instantly.

 

[Groucho]

What I've seen is a head that primarily only rotates up and down, and you can rotate left and right by twisting the entire monopod.

Ahh, here you go, for $35. You can get the one without quick release for about $20, but I would stick with the QR. You will probably want to make sure that whatever you end up with uses the same QR plate as whatever head you have on a tripod, so you can go between with quickly and easily.

 

[Wingman]

What I've seen is a head that primarily only rotates up and down, and you can rotate left and right by twisting the entire monopod.

Ahh, here you go, for $35. You can get the one without quick release for about $20, but I would stick with the QR. You will probably want to make sure that whatever you end up with uses the same QR plate as whatever head you have on a tripod, so you can go between with quickly and easily.

How do you shoot portrait with a head like that one?