Monopod & Tilt Head

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Sue

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I'm looking for advise on purchasing a monopod and tilt head.

My current largest setup is Nikon Z7 with 100-400mm lens. I'll eventually move up to a Z8 and possibly purchase either a 600mm or 800mm several years from now. My current tripod is RRS TVC24 w/BH40.

My current monopod criteria is: 25 lb load, minimum 32mm diameter upper leg segment, less than 19" closed length (preferably 17"), and less than 1.5 lb overall weight (w/o head). To hit that criteria I'm looking at 6 leg segment monopod. Is this going to be an issue e.g., flex? I've only found Oben and Leofoto that meet the criteria.

For tilt head, I'm looking for one with a rotating QR plate so I can use the monopod with both a lens foot and a camera L plate. The only one I've found so far is RRS MH-02. I love RRS products, however, am looking for something less than $425. I've look at and am not interested in the side mounted Wimberly MH100. Any suggestions?
 
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Sue said:
I'm looking for advise on purchasing a monopod and tilt head.

My current largest setup is Nikon Z7 with 100-400mm lens. I'll eventually move up to a Z8 and possibly purchase either a 600mm or 800mm several years from now. My current tripod is RRS TVC24 w/BH40.

My current monopod criteria is: 25 lb load, minimum 32mm diameter upper leg segment, less than 19" closed length (preferably 17"), and less than 1.5 lb overall weight (w/o head). To hit that criteria I'm looking at 6 leg segment monopod. Is this going to be an issue e.g., flex? I've only found Oben and Leofoto that meet the criteria.

For tilt head, I'm looking for one with a rotating QR plate so I can use the monopod with both a lens foot and a camera L plate. The only one I've found so far is RRS MH-02. I love RRS products, however, am looking for something less than $425. I've look at and am not interested in the side mounted Wimberly MH100. Any suggestions?
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Have you checked around for a used MH-02. I bought mine used many years ago and am very happy with it.
 
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aolander said:
The lower leg section will be pretty small in diameter on a 6 section.
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Yes, that's what I'm concerned about. How small is really too small... will it flex like a tripod would flex.

Here's what I've found so far:
Leofoto, 365C (5 segment) - 36, 32, 28, 25, 22 - 1.3 lb, 19.5" closed length
Leofoto, 326C (6 segment) - 32, 28, 25, 22, 19, 16 - 1.3 lb, 16.3" closed length
Leofoto, 366C (6 segment) - 36, 32, 28, 25, 22, 19 - 1.1 lb, 17.3" closed length
Oben CTM 2500 (5 segment) - 31, 28, 25, 22, 19 - 1.01 lb, 17.3" closed length
 
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Sue said:
It's interesting that more brands don't offer the "easy" rotating dial like the MH-02. Either they don't rotate at all or you need to use a hex tool to unscrew it and reposition the plate. In your experience, is the MH-02 really easy to rotate?
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Yes it is. I don't use a monopod very often, but the RRS MH-02 is the best head I've found. I thought about replacing it with something else (don't remember what) and decided for my limited use, my current set up was just fine.
 
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Sue said:
Yes, that's what I'm concerned about. How small is really too small... will it flex like a tripod would flex.

Here's what I've found so far:
Leofoto, 365C (5 segment) - 36, 32, 28, 25, 22 - 1.3 lb, 19.5" closed length
Leofoto, 326C (6 segment) - 32, 28, 25, 22, 19, 16 - 1.3 lb, 16.3" closed length
Leofoto, 366C (6 segment) - 36, 32, 28, 25, 22, 19 - 1.1 lb, 17.3" closed length
Oben CTM 2500 (5 segment) - 31, 28, 25, 22, 19 - 1.01 lb, 17.3" closed length
Click to expand...
Personally…I don’t worry myself overmuch about the lower leg perhaps being thinner and flexing a little. Monopod is by definition less stable than a tripod and for most of us I think the main reason we use one is to help support the weight of t(e long lens during the long intervals of waiting for the action…and I find a monopod more forgiving than handholding if longer shutter speeds are used…so even if it does flex a little does it actually matter? So…I would consider that the least important of the criteria you’ve mentioned…and the second one I would minimize is the rotating plate since I only use a monopod with a long lens and they’ve always got a foot for the clamp. Short lenses where the body would go on the monopod I’m either hand holding or using a tripod for waterfall speeds…or maybe a tree to brace against in a real pinch and with a wide lens.

There’s nothing wrong with the criteria as listed…but those two points seem unnecessary to me but if you need them then you need them.
 
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