TRW
Member
I’m using a aluminum Manfrotto monopod with a Wimberley MonoGimbal head with my Nikon D7500 and Nikon 200-500 lense. Happy with the steadiness and the weight of the aluminum is not a issue.
Monopod?
- Thread starter Chris H
- Start date
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Same as said a couple of times before: Gitzo GM4542 + head of your choice and you are done.
I took the 4 segment type because I wanted to make sure to be able to use it also really low or being able to place it on an object that I am hiding behind.
Currently I am using the Wimberley MH-100 and the only issue with it is, that you need to keep an eye on your tripod collar. In my case the collar of my 500f4G didn't move as smoothly as it used to years ago and because the lens is hanging off the head sideways you get a different momentum on the collar that may make it feel sticky. But just a tiny bit of silicone spray applied really carefully can solve this problem as well.
I took the 4 segment type because I wanted to make sure to be able to use it also really low or being able to place it on an object that I am hiding behind.
Currently I am using the Wimberley MH-100 and the only issue with it is, that you need to keep an eye on your tripod collar. In my case the collar of my 500f4G didn't move as smoothly as it used to years ago and because the lens is hanging off the head sideways you get a different momentum on the collar that may make it feel sticky. But just a tiny bit of silicone spray applied really carefully can solve this problem as well.
Chris,
I have the Sirui P424 and am quite pleased with it. It has greater height than the P326 (66.9" vs 61.4") and greater load capacity (33# vs 22#), but unfortunately it is no longer available. It is apparently replaced by the P424SR, which has 3 fold down support feet. Personally, I would use a tripod when extra support is needed. Were I looking for a monopod now, I would take a close look at the Oben CTM 2500 (26#, 65"). I think the load capacity is rather arbitrary and would not place a lot of weight on it (pun intended). The p424 handles my D850 with 500 PF and 80-400 AFS lenses with aplomb, and I chose it over the Gitzo. Like you, I am an amateur but don't mind paying more if the price benefit ratio is favorable.
I have the RSS tilt head with lever release (grossly overpriced, but excellent) and the Wimberly MH-100 that is recommended by Steve. I prefer it over the RSS, but it lacks a lever release. A RSS lever clamp could be added, but I can't unscrew the attaching screw and would have to send it to Wimberly for the switch. I also have the ProMedia gimbal head, but use it mainly with a tripod. I took Steve's advice and attached RSS lever clamps to the monopod and my tripod so I can switch easily. I also have the Wimberly SideKick no longer use it.
Bill
Woody Meristem
Well-known member
Go ahead and laugh, but I use a birch sapling that I cut, dried and peeled about ten years ago. It has a rubber chair foot on the lower end and a wrist strap and 3/8" hanger bolt on the upper end. On that hanger bolt is a Manfroto tilt head with a quick release ARCA-Swiss clamp. It's actually an alpenstock (hiking staff) which steadies me in uneven terrain, helps me vault across small streams and is a monopod. It's not adjustable for height, but is sturdier than any commercial monopod, is custom made for my height and the total cost was about a dollar for the chair foot and hanger bolt.
I'm with you that the use as a hiking stick is the most important part. My old friend that I got at a camera store in West Glacier 30+ years ago is a Leki Sierra Photo stick with a steel tip with a removable rubber covering so it can be used on paved trails as well. The wooden top unscrewed to reveal the threads to mount the camera. I added an unobtrusive quick release top later.