GH4 Does this type of tripod/monopod exist?

T

The Irish TRex

Well-known member
I'm trying to find a high quality monopod for my GH4 rig that I could use and then quickly attach to a set of tripod legs. I know there are lots of tripods where you can detach one leg and it creates a monopod...but that's not what I'm looking for. I need to be able to quickly go from monopod to tripod in seconds. So the tripod legs need to be standing up alone and then I just attach or slide the monopod onto the legs to have a good quality tripod. Not cheap. This pic below is the closest I've seen but is there anything higher quality out there??? Ideally it would be great to be able to use my own fluid heads as well. Not sure if the one below allows for that.

And yes, I'm aware of the monopods with the little legs but I need a tripod that's sturdy too, that I could leave alone and not worry about it swaying in the wind.

monopod.jpg
 
Why not just get a monopod and a tripod with the same quick release plate? Manfrotto likely has heads on their tripods and monipods that use the same one. Manfrotto also has a quick release plate only that you can attach to any 1/4-20 bolt.
 
Third vote for a tripod and monopod that have the same quick-release plate. I own one of each by Manfrotto, and it works like a champ.
 
Okay...I might do that then. I guess I just used a monopod once (the manfrotto one with the little feet at the bottom) and was underwhelmed by it. Granted I used it for one day and it was windy so it swayed like crazy. Thought those legs would be more sturdy. Maybe I have to look for a monopod with sturdier little feet.
 
I have the manfrotto and love it.

It's not meant to be left alone, standing by itself though.

If that's what you were doing don't be dissapointed in shaky footage, just be glad your camera didn't come crashing down.
 
homestar_kevin said:
I have the manfrotto and love it.

It's not meant to be left alone, standing by itself though.

If that's what you were doing don't be dissapointed in shaky footage, just be glad your camera didn't come crashing down.
Click to expand...

Well, I don't anticipate leaving it alone but maybe I'm just picky that it was swaying too much (I got the manfrotto one with feet too) even when manned when I was on a long lens shooting an event. That's why I went with tripods only which are great but there's still a few spots/venues where I think "I could use a smaller footprint". That's why I'm trying to find a quick swap method. Maybe it's just a quick release thing as suggested vs. the pic above. I guess I wonder if some of these "feet" on some of these monopods are more sturdy and could help really keep it close to perfectly still when manned.
 
I don't think such an animal exists. The monopods that have "feet" are far from stable. That being said, the purpose of a monopod (in most cases) is to steady the camera a bit better than you can by yourself. If you set that for your expectations you will be satisfied with a monopod. There are different methods for getting more stable footage with a monopod as well but it will never be as steady as a good tripod.
 
When I bought my Manfrotto monopod - it was my understanding that the feet were only there to provide a stable base for the ball joint at the bottom so you could smoothly move the camera around while stabilized. This is what I use it for.
 
Tripods and monopods have different use cases. If your monopod is swaying you probably need to practice your monopod technique.

Another vote for separate tripod and monopod here. I even have different ones for stills and video!
 
A couple of things make monopods easier.

A ball head lets you keep the camera level while tilting the monopod, to get a little lower.

ball-head.jpg

(Note also the quick-release plate that should go straight onto your tripod if it's the same brand.)


A lever release lets you raise or lower the monopod with one hand.

trigger stick.jpg

Either way I think of a monopod as something that gives you "handheld that's tolerable to watch" rather than "something that could be mistaken for tripod if you're good." It's more like the thing that brings a handheld camcorder the steadiness of a shoulder-mount camera, maybe even a bit more so. Plus, it's a lot less work.

Sometimes it can look almost tripod-like, if the time of the shot is short, the length of the lens is normal or wide, and yeah, if it's not too windy.
 
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No doubt I'll need to work on my technique with monopods and lower my expectations...or at least be realistic about what it's purpose is.

What exactly is that lever release model? I'm not sure I'll need the ball head.

Also, does any monopod with feet help with stabilizing it and limiting it's "sway"? Or are the feet always really flexible? I suppose there's a locking knob to lock off any tilt to where the monopod meets the feet at which point it becomes more stiff. That might be what I want.


combatentropy said:
A couple of things make monopods easier.

A ball head lets you keep the camera level while tilting the monopod, to get a little lower.

View attachment 97316

(Note also the quick-release plate that should go straight onto your tripod if it's the same brand.)


A lever release lets you raise or lower the monopod with one hand.

View attachment 97317

Either way I think of a monopod as something that gives you "handheld that's tolerable to watch" rather than "something that could be mistaken for tripod if you're good." It's more like the thing that brings a handheld camcorder the steadiness of a shoulder-mount camera, maybe even a bit more so. Plus, it's a lot less work.

Sometimes it can look almost tripod-like, if the time of the shot is short, the length of the lens is normal or wide, and yeah, if it's not too windy.
Click to expand...
 
Don't remember the exact specs but I used to have a Gitzo 'Safari' monopod that could slide into the center column of one of their larger stills tripods.

The 'Safari' series was unique in that their thickest leg was the bottommost & designed to be used in water & muck. Think they're discontinued now.

One off-the-shelf solution is Satchler's ZOOM system, though the monopod feature doesn't go as low as most conventional designs.

http://provideocoalition.com/news/story/sachtler_4_in_one_soom_wins_nab_awards/
 
Monopods care not designed for perfect steady footage. They are designed for flexibility in movement. It takes a little practice to learn how to use them right. Even then one should never expect perfectly solid footage from using a monopod. It will just never happen.

Like the others have mentioned use a tripod and monopod with the same quick release plates. I use the Manfrotto plates and can move my camera quickly between tripod, monopod, shoulder rig, pocked dolly and rails. I use the Benro monopod which are very well built and use the same Manfrotto quick release system with the S4 and S6 heads.
 
And as a poor mans crane, slider or dolly. They really are more about creative shots than stability. Those little feet on certain Manfrotto and Benro models are more for the base of the monopod not slipping when tilting the monopod forward to get a sort of simple dolly or slider type shot. Great for quick and dirty detail shots where you want the camera to move a bit but don't want to take the time lugging around and setting up a slider.

I should note a tripod can do this as well albeit a lot heavier. I will sometimes rais the back leg and use a tripod to tilt forward and backward on the two front legs. Extending just a single leg allows it to function just like a monopod. If you can deal with the extra weight and want to save money using the tripod as a monopod can be an option. The whole point really to the monopod is the compactness and low weight for moving around.
 
Thomas Smet said:
Monopods care not designed for perfect steady footage. They are designed for flexibility in movement. It takes a little practice to learn how to use them right. Even then one should never expect perfectly solid footage from using a monopod. It will just never happen.

Like the others have mentioned use a tripod and monopod with the same quick release plates. I use the Manfrotto plates and can move my camera quickly between tripod, monopod, shoulder rig, pocked dolly and rails. I use the Benro monopod which are very well built and use the same Manfrotto quick release system with the S4 and S6 heads.
Click to expand...

Good to know about Benro. Thanks. Well, I have a pretty flushed out way of shooting handheld that emulates slider, crane and dolly shots with the help of post. It's taken 4 years of practice to perfect but I value the freedom I have without all that gear. Yes, it's unconventional compared to what everyone else does, but being different is a good thing sometimes. The monopod situation is something I plan to use only a little bit, but it's an important few minutes in our coverage that I think might help. Maybe the quick release thing is the best idea. I'll look into the Benro selection a bit more although my other fluid heads are not manfrotto.

That Satchler SOOM system is $3k+ so I can't really do that. Trying to keep it some where around $500 or less if possible unless it's a PERFECT solution in which case I might go up a bit more. But not quite that high.
 
mdifilm said:
CHeck out benro aero4. It's a tripod and a monopod.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I'm trying to avoid the one's where the tripod leg detaches to make the monopod.

If it's a separate monopod, I'm looking at this one possibly (manfrotto 685B)...except it doesn't have feet. Not sure what the disadvantage of no feet would be??? With this one I could add my own fluid heads of choice I think which would be great since I have 3 of the same kind (non-manfrotto)

Here's a pic...love the quick release action thing.

387806.jpg
 
The Irish TRex said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm trying to avoid the one's where the tripod leg detaches to make the monopod.

If it's a separate monopod, I'm looking at this one possibly (manfrotto 685B)...except it doesn't have feet. Not sure what the disadvantage of no feet would be??? With this one I could add my own fluid heads of choice I think which would be great since I have 3 of the same kind (non-manfrotto)

Here's a pic...love the quick release action thing.

View attachment 97384
Click to expand...

For me the feet are about holding the monopod in place with my feet so it doesn't slip around when tilting the monopod around. Not a necessity but a nice feature to have. They are not feet meant for stability but feet meant to offer more control of the movement and help the user keep the monopod grounded and in place.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1083921-REG/benro_a48fds4_video_monopod_kit.html/prm/alsVwDtl

This is the one I use. Best monopod I have ever owned. The S4 head shares the exact same kind of plate as the Manfrotto 501 series type quick release plates. I own a Manfrotto tripod with a 501 head that is now 15 years old and I honestly feel as though the Benro head is slightly better. Eventually I may get a Benro tripod as well with the s6 head. The s6 uses the same plates but is a beefier head of higher quality. Have not personally used a s6 head yet but it is my understand it is slightly better than the s4. Do not get the s2 head. The price is tempting of course but the s2 uses smaller quick release plates of Benro's own design and will not work with Manfrotto products. Not a big deal if you never plan on moving your camera to another support system. I think it is safer to spend the little extra cash and get at least the s4 head. I question getting the s6 head on the monopod due to the extra size and bulk. It really starts to become a little heavy and kind of defeats the purpose of a monopod which is supposed to be a quick and nimble tool. Besides the head is moreso for the ability to tilt the angle of the camera as the angle of the monopod changes. Fluid panning is usually not as much of a concern on a monopod so the s4 should be more than enough.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/241139-REG/Manfrotto_577_577_Rapid_Connect_Adapter.html

These are the Manfrotto quick release adapters I use on my shoulder rig and other non tripod head devices I want to attach my camera to. They use the same 501 plates that work with the Benro s4 and s6 heads.
 
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