Jerky movement from Manfrotto Monopod w/ Pana AF100

[Video on the Road]

I am shooting doco on a AF100 mounted on the manfrotto monopod 561bhdv. Why? You ask? Because the space I have to shoot in is about the size of a large dinning room table and there is often more than three people in there.

But my question is I am getting a lot of jerky sudden movement from the fluid head. Does anyone know or has anyone tried either loosening the Philips head screws that hold the ball or using some kind of lubricant such as WD40? Will this do anything to the fluid head that I should not be doing? I wouldn't have thought so but thought I would throw it out there.


If you have any other suggestions please let me know. I am working in a rather dusty area so I will have to deal with that as well.


Cheers and hope to hear from someone soon all suggestions and information greatly appreciated.

 

[Bern Caughey]

Don't add lubricant. It might work once, but will attract grime that will eventually reduce performance.

I use monopods often, but they're not a substitute for sticks, so you'll need to live with the jerkier movement.

I have an earlier version of the monopod your using, but have retired it. I'm not a fan of the feet, & don't feel they provide a smoother pan than a standard foot.

How about just skinny-upping tripod legs. While not super stable, it will out perform a monopod.

On another note I suggest adding a leveling base between the monopod, & head. I use this Acratech...

http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=3&cat=2&page=1