Quick release for large lens on monopod

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Calson

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The 800mm PF can be easily used with a monopod but the quick releases I have found so far use 1/4" posts and are designed for use with a camera body. As such there are only 2 threads exposed and so not much holding power for a lens foot.

Has anyone come across a quick release that will work and has 3/8" threads and sufficient length to attach a lens foot?

Thanks
 
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I use a quick release on the Manfroto tilt head on my monopod almost every day -- but my largest lens is the Olympus 100-400mm. Although that lens has a comparable reach to the Nikon 800mm, it's a much smaller/lighter lens. Whenever one of my cameras is on a monopod I also have a strap around my body or neck as well.
 
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I want to set the 800mm PF lens foot on the monopod and need only one hand to secure it. Most heads require two hands to secure a lens in place which does not work with a monopod.

The adapter plates I have found are designed for camera bodies and so have a 1/4" thread that is short so as not to damage the insides of a camera. This results in a weaker connection to a lens foot and more risk of the foot pulling out.
 
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The RRS quick release lever clamp can be used on the Wimberley 100 gimbal head. Winberley recommends you send it in to them to get it installed, they charge a minimal cost to do it for you. That clamp works really well.

I have found I don't do well with a monopod, my technique is not that good and I tend to have trouble keeping it steady. I do better handheld, I carry the lens dangled on a Holdfast strap, lift it to compose the shot and then drop it back down. I support the lens with my left hand underneath with my elbow against my body, this seems to be more stable.
 
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Are we missing a step? Ken, which head do you plan to use on the monopod? The RRS MH-01 is tilt-only and available with a ⅜" threaded hole. I've switched to the Wimberley MH-100, a gimbal, which I prefer and it also has a ⅜" threaded hole.
 
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I am using a tilt head and with a monopod I need one hand for the monopod and one hand to hold the 800mm PF and attached camera. Lots of options with a tripod but I want a lighter setup with the monopod. With the 800mm off the support it is also much easier to carry a monopod with a tilt head than a tripod with a much heavier gimbal head.
 
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Ken, thanks for clarifying! I was a little slow on the uptake. Regarding weight, the Wimberley MH-100 monopod gimbal and the RRS MH-01 tilt head weigh about the same, the gimbal only an ounce lighter (I own both). Both are designed as monopod heads, with ⅜" threaded holes, and both can be configured with a lever or screw clamp. FWIW, I like the gimbal with my 600 TC because it keeps 9-10 lbs of lens and camera balanced; no flop. With either tilt or gimbal, I find it easier to attach the monopod to my lens foot with the camera and lens laid securely on a flat surface. For me, that surface is usually a car seat. Mounting camera and lens to a monopod held upright seems too dicey for me.
 
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I have put a RRS clamp under my gimbal when on a tripod. The quick release clamp allows quick change between the ball head and gimbal. The same would be true of my monopod and RRS MH 02.
 
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Hooligan said:
Wimberley comes with 3/8”.
Click to expand...
“Winberley”
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If you want to locate and lock with one hand…..this will upset many, Manfrotto 323 RC2 type.
The securing lever locks in the open position, when the plate is located and pressed in, the brass pin is depressed and the lever snaps shut.
Snug the lever down and you’re good to go.

YES, I know what’s coming next…..you can’t move the lens centre back and forth, which is true unless you also use an arca clamp and plate with the’323 mounted on it. It’s a question of what’s most important to you, one hand securement or adjustability.
 

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I have this SmallRig lever clamp plate loktited on the 3/8" stud of my light Sirui monopod. Usually I mount a Fotopro gimbal with a modified gimpro lens plate. This is very secure with easy to adjust lever throw

www.smallrig.com

Quick Release Clamp ( Arca-type Compatible)

Quick Release Clamp ( Arca-type Compatible)【SmallRig - DIY Camera Rigs, Stabilizers and Other Camera Accessories】
www.smallrig.com www.smallrig.com

I also use the similar Leofoto lever clamps, with adjustable lever throw, which are also 3/8". I can open the lever of these clamps with my thumb, but keep the rig secure in the other hand

leofotousa.com

Leofoto LR-70 Lever Release Clamp with QP-70N QR Plate

The Leofoto LR-70 is constructed from solid aircraft grade aluminum and hard anodized for the maximum strength and durability. This clamp features a lever release for quick and easy attach/detach and adjustments. Leofoto LR-70: Diameter: 70mm/ 2.75inLength: 82mm/ 3.22inMounting hole...
leofotousa.com leofotousa.com
 
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Something I have encountered is that the device may be able to use a 3/8" mounting stud but it is designed for mounting a relalatively small 2 lb camera and not a long 5 lb telephoto lens. The 1/4" mounting stud is short to prevent damage to a camera body and so only have 2 threads to secure a lens foot.

I bought a Desmond DMH-2-DLc-60 tilt head that includes a quick release with a lever. In addition I bought a SHINEWEE Move quick release system 360 degree drop in quick mount. It has become a trial and error process for me.
 
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If someone is concerned about the quick release mount unscrewing from the monopod or the mount is constantly coming loose, consider some thread locking materials if you plan to put the mount on and leave it for a long time. This may help things stay tight. It only takes a drop or two to work. If you have not been using the thread lock for other things, start with the weakest thread locking material. It will allow easier disassembly when you want to take things apart. The higher strength thread lock materials may make disassembly almost impossible.

For years I have used a mount on a cheap monopod and never had a problem. The mount was loose a few time but I noticed it and tightened it before if became a real problem. Shooting in the available darkness of many high school football fields requires for help holding a camera/lens combination steady.
 
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For attaching a head to a tripod or a monopod I use a simple Wave washer (also known as a Belleville washer) to provide tension. It is easily added or removed and works much better than a thread lock compound.


I want to use the head on a monopod and then add a 800mm PF lens. What works on a tripod is not going to work on a monopod that unlike a tripod, needs to be supported with one hand while holding the 800mm PF with its attached camera with the other hand.

Spring Wave Washer.JPG
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With a lens on a monopod the last thing I want is a gimbal head. With a tilt shift I have no need to control the heavy lens on more than one axis. If I want to pan I can rotate the monopod.
 
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I did find and buy this coupler and it works very well. It is designed to automatically lock onto the inserted section and then one can turn it slightly to lock it completely but this is not required.


Although designed to allow users to use one tripod with multiple heads it also works for my needs for quickly attaching the 800mm PF lens to a monopod. The iFootage monopod makes this easier with its secondary base that has small feet that can be folded down to keep the bare monopod upright. I wanted a momopod that could have its height increaseed with one hand with a telephoto lens and camera attached.

 
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Calson said:
The 800mm PF can be easily used with a monopod but the quick releases I have found so far use 1/4" posts and are designed for use with a camera body. As such there are only 2 threads exposed and so not much holding power for a lens foot.

Has anyone come across a quick release that will work and has 3/8" threads and sufficient length to attach a lens foot?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Hi Calson. I have the 800mm PF too, and the 800/6.3. I also had the interesting experience of having the 800 and a Z9 fall off a tripod. The lens apparently has a tendency to separate in half longitudinally, and following an expensive repair in Japan, I'm now trying some safer systems. My tripod is a Sirui 75.8" Monopod with Feet (I'm tall and shoot up lot) and I put a Wimberley MH-100 on it, mostly because of Steve's review at
. The lens is now attached to my neck as well as the monopid, and perhaps the best benefit is carrying the kit on my shoulder. See the video at about 8:36. I don't think you can beat the MH-100. It's stable and balanced, and I can walk well with it.
 
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Alan Dixon said:
You might want to look at the astonishingly simple Speedigimbal kit: https://speedigimbal.co.uk/.
I don't own one myself, yet, but am considering this in conjunction with a Sirui One-step Height Adjustment Rapid Setup Modular Monopod.
Click to expand...

I bought one to try but sent it back as the Z8 & Z800mm felt inherently unstable unless you keep one hand on the 'gimbal'. The Wimberley mono gimbal is the best option and can be made better by replacing the screw clamp with a lever clamp. I also use a tilt-head with lever clamp on my lightweight monopod when walking some distance
 
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