Monopod for my S6?

D

Dheorl

Member
I currently have a Benro S6 video head and am looking to get a monopod to use with it for when my tripod is just too big. Any suggestions? I looked at getting the Benro fluid monopod but seemingly that is only available with the head and I have no use for two. It also doesn't seem to be available in the UK. I looked at the Manfrotto fluid monopod as well but it is rather expensive (£140 with no head for the larger model).

Are there any other alternatives for ones with a fluid base? If not what it just a good general purpose monopod? Ideally I'd like something that can extend up slightly above head height. Any recommendations? Needs to be able to support the weight of the head, GH3, lens and mic/small cage etc.
 
The Benro S6 head is pretty chunky to sit on top of a monopod. I have a Benro S4 head that I use with a Benro monopod, and I have the S6 head sitting on a Benro video tripod. I would think you would have to find a beefy monopod to go with the S6 head.
 
I use a Benro S6 on my Manfrotto 562. It's maybe half a pound heavier than a 500 which is what they put on the 562 now. Works fine. I've used it on dozens of jobs. Never used the Benro version of the 562 but I noticed that sellers on eBay sell the monopods without heads. And they sell them with fliplocks instead of twist locks.
 
I bought the Benro A49F monopod off ebay brand new. I didn't want the Benro head though so I couple my monopod with the 717 head. I also added the three leg footpiece to the monopod or as listed stand. I'm very happy with the combination, although I think I should've gone with the S6 head instead. As good as the 717 is, all aluminium/magnesium head, it seems they all (even the newer fluid head models supposed to replace the 717 head) has very tight pan action, very tight.

I think the A49F is the longest one in aluminium - didn't care too much for carbon fibre.

Here is the seller I bought from (no affiliation to him or her or business or shop or whatever, just hoping to save you some time): http://www.ebay.com/usr/dc-photo-stuff?_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2754
 
FWIW, I've used a 501 head on the 562 monopod with no problems, and the 501 is around 30% heavier than the S6.
 
So would you all say that the fluid bases are worth it despite having a completely fluid head?

I wonder because the price difference seems to be anything up to around £100, which is obviously a fair amount for a fluid tripod when I'm going to be mounting a fluid head on top.

Also I did think about the size, but decided that I really didn't want to buy another head and really like having the tilt lock separate to the tilt drag and none of the smaller heads that I've seen have this feature.

Thanks for the help so far.
 
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