which lightweight monopod/head combo?

I currently have the Redsnapper monopod + Manfrotto 234RC combo but find it a little too bulky heavy, although it's certainly sturdy. Could anyone suggest a lighter/less bulky option? I need to be able to take it with me on holiday so needs to fit in a suitcase

thanks

simon

I bought the Velbon sherpa pro CF7, 170cm high and 0,76kg which I'm happy with.
For the head I went for a ballhead but I would go for an off centre ball head instead.
I just found out they are quite hard to find... there are the Gitzo GH2750QR & GH3750QR but they are pricey and the heads are quite larger.

ps. the Gitzo GM3551 also looks great...
I know I got an expensive taste

My Manfrotto 681 monopod fits crosswise in a suitcase OK - don't have a head for it, so it's not too bulky or heavy. Has a good weight capacity and been known to scare off low flying gulls when waved light sabre fashion. The Red Snapper monopod's not that heavy if you leave the head behind.

Never found the need for a head on a monopod, so I'd be inclined to use what you've got in it's base config. Other than that, Velbon's UP-4DX II is barely 20inches long and very light. Not a great weight bearing capacity either - but might be worth a look at depending what kit your planning to take.

HTH

Steve

How can you get a good stable stand without a head?

I use a Slik 380CF. Length from 0.5 to 1.55m.

Never seen a ball head on a mono. I have seen people use mono's without heads. Big problem there as you cannot shoot from the waist or a groin pad/cup(same things sea anglers use to put rod buts in whilst standing on a boat).

I use this




It has been slightly re-worked around the pivots to keep out dirt and sand etc. This is achieved by the addition of slim plastic pads which also transform the smoothness of the head.

I prefer twist release joints rather than cam locks as they are sealed better and cannot catch on bushes etc whilst moving through such areas.

Regards

The Manfrotto has a basic thread connection - ie no ball or pan type head. The Velbon has a 2way pan head with a Q/R plate

Find the direct connection to camera or lens's tripod mount fine. Not been in a position I can recall where using it as a angle brace, as K10D decribes, would have been better.

Hope that clarifies my comment Stefan


Steve

Not meant as criticism Steve.

The big problem is only for me. I use quick release plates as I often have two lenses that may need support. I once went out with the tripod as well and tried to use just one leg! What a joke.

All my lenses with mounts have a release plate attached. Saves dropping or losing one when in the field.

Regards

I was looking for a monopod and will probably go for the 234RC2 head - I also use RC2 plates on everything and if / when I get a 70-200 then the tripod mount on that will get a plate.

Bret

Velbon 50XL, compact but plenty sturdy, rubber foot, trunion locking mechanism.
Great monopod.
The Redsnapper is a spear, this is a stick.
I'm keeping the spear though...

K10D - not taken as a crit! We all have different experiences and drag around lens combos which refects our interests, weight allowances and space limitations - which is what Simon was looking to tap into I think.

In my traveling pack I usually have only the Sigma 135-400mm with me that has a tripod collar, so lack of Q/R plates only a marginal inconvenience issue. More important to me is a jacket or vest with big enough pockets to take my DA16-50 or 50-135 when I'm changing lenses - don't often have an empty lens case [of the right size] when I'm travelling to put the lens coming off into.

Next overseas trip I'm minded to leave the MZ-S behind and take the K20D with the K7. So I'll have the K20D with the 16-50mm and the K7 with the 60-250mm as the normal set up.


Steve

Steve, the two bodies and no lens changes is a winner.

Regards

Yeah I thought it was great idea too - until I looked at the images I got with the MZ-S with Velvia 100F on the road down to Mt Cook in early light and compare it to my digital images. Velvia hard to beat.

May change my plans and take an MZ-S - poss as a third body. Doesn't weigh to much and could always sneak it in to one the suite cases


Steve

Ah well, Velvia.

A whole different side of photography. To me and possibly a few others here, still shooting film is like playing my LP's through valves and electrostatics.

Rich rewards indeed.

Regards

Thanks for the feedback everyone...the Slik 381CF looks a good option, I prefer twist locks too having been let down by a Manfrotto a while ago. Think I'll probably stick with the 234Rc head as I do find it makes using the monopod easier, it is a bit heavy though as it seems it's made from solid lead

No Steve it doesn't since I asked the question how do you keep a stable stance without a head on the monopod.

The only thing the mono does now is support the weight and add some stability but if you want to get the best stability you need to put some pressure down the mono pod and use your own legs as well so that it basically becomes a tripod. link