Monopod!

S

StMad

Well-known member
A couple of weeks ago I bought myself a little Christmas present...the Bogen 562B monopod.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...tto_562B_562B_Four_Sectioned_Fluid_Video.html

(If the mods don't like the BH link, let me know)

I wasn't expecting much, but I'd have to say that this might be the best bang for the buck support I now own (inc Kessler crane, Merlin, DVrig Multi Pro). As you'd expect from a monopod it's very light weight and quick/easy to setup. The quality of footage I get from using it in its "mono" form is on par with what I get when using a shoulder support - however with baby feet extended the results are even smoother. I put together 3 tests with the feet extended...

(please right click...)

(1) Stock HVX

http://www.conceptsmith.com.au/monostock.mov


(2) Stock HVX/Bogen 503 head

http://www.conceptsmith.com.au/mono503stock.mov

The 562 is rated 8kg (17.6lbs), but I think it's most functional with just the HVX's weight. It can be kept almost perfectly still in the above setups (feet extended) - rivaling the look of a tripod. Tilting the monopod arm gives a baby jib effect...adding a little more life to a shot with a subject in the foreground. Using the 503 head on the monopod allows for a "push in" type move....eg tilting the arm toward the subject while tilting the tripod head back (to keep level). Not to mention the obvious ability to close in on table items (for eg). In either of the above setups the pod is very, very smooth.


(3) HVX/Brevis (inc rails and follow focus)/ 503 head

http://www.conceptsmith.com.au/mono503brevis.mov

This was a much trickier setup. I think it's fair to say that shooting ratios get worse from setup (1) to (2) to (3). The weight of this rig meant I had to keep things simple - pulling focus was easy enough, though any tilting moves made control difficult. Not impossible - all of this footage was shot from the only 2 times I've used the rig - so I have much improvement in me.

Obviously the trickier moves I attempted don't rival the look of a dolly or jib, and it's not quite as steady as a tripod - but it's not far off. For the the sort of personal, dramatic, run and gun shooting I'm currently doing this is a perfect compliment.



EDIT - added a clip of me operating the monopod

http://www.conceptsmith.com.au/monopodemo.mov

Shooting this yesterday reminded me how difficult it was performing moves with a heavy load (HVX/SGpro/503 head). Panning and focusing while upright is easy enough (and smooth), however introducing tilt moves is much tougher. Doable, but you'll likely blow a few takes (at least until you get proficient).

You'll notice the feet lifting in these clips - you can tilt to about 60 degrees, then another 10 degrees with your foot on a foot (the feet have a small range of motion when down, if that makes sense). 50 degrees is about the limit, beyond that the feet are lifting (and you're losing stability) or if your foot is on a foot, you're stressing the monopod.

Technique is important on the tilts too I think - some of the moves are a little sketchy on this clip, towards the end better (iirc). And with heavier loads, slower movements are better.

I'm heading into the city to shoot a friend in the next few days - the thinking being that tripods aren't allowed...maybe the monopod will be ok...we'll see.

Cheers,

Steve
 
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I bought one a year ago and I like it too. Unfortunately, I didnt see the ones with the fluid base [ unique fluid-effect cartridge in the base which provides slippery-smooth pans in a minimal footprint ] I think these came out just after my purchase with the little tilt head and the tuck away little legs. StMad, Do you think the fluid cartridge is important enough that I need to purchase another? I exploring some way to aid myself with street photography type run-n-gun, but now my cam is weighing near 15lbs. with DOF adapter & accesories.
 
One thing that I didn't get across strongly enough is that the main value (for me) with this monopod is in helping achieve a nice "handheld" look - any benefit derived for other cameras moves (pseudo baby jib, dolly) is purely secondary.

bwest, the difference for me between feet and no feet is pretty big. Not only in how smooth the footage looks, but also the effort and concentration I have to put in to maintain (or alter) my compostion. The extra weight (35mm adapter) was only an issue for me in respect to the trickier tilt moves (and maintaining focus while tilting...we shooters really need to evolve a third arm :)).

I've used my cheap Chinese shoulder support and the DVrig Multirig Pro for my Brevis setup, and neither is designed for it. The footage I get from these is similar to what I get from the monopod on its one leg - not as smooth as I'd like. However the 35mm setup on the monopod with feet extended = very nice.

I wouldn't want to lead you though - if you can test first that's probably your best bet..
 
footage looks nice. any pics of behind the scene (your set up) using this mono pod would be great. i have a mono pod but without the legs. i take it the legs allow you to sway r/l, etc? im just trying to figure out the real diff with the legs and one with out. i mean you can sway r/l or i guess tilt with/without the legs, no?

thanks for posting your research and results.
 
Steve, what a great tool. All three setups appeal to me. I also like that very slight camera movement in the shots when you reach a stationary position, it feels less staged, less clinical, which is relevant to my intended use. Thanks for the explanation and footage.
 
I skipped buying one before christmas, because I wasn´t sure which one to go for...
I actually wanted it for my DSLR, but I will look into it as an option for ENG/Event work now, too!
Thanks for the examples!
 
Thanks for the post StMad. Now you've got me thinking about buying a monopod. Just a few questions for you.

1. If I had to put the camera down so that I can do something else, can the legs support the camera (say HVX200) in an upright position?
2. Do you need to attach a tripod head in order to do pans and tilts?
3. Can you get reasonably stable shots while walking?
 
Cheers guys. I'll post footage of the pod in action by week's end.

mcvideo, same moves are possible, but the monopod alone might slip out from under you more quickly on the bigger moves. And the feel is much different - less exertion and concentration are required with feet, and the resulting footage is smoother. I don't think I'll use the pod without the feet again, unless I want crappier looking footage. :)

Sumfun said:
1. If I had to put the camera down so that I can do something else, can the legs support the camera (say HVX200) in an upright position?
2. Do you need to attach a tripod head in order to do pans and tilts?
3. Can you get reasonably stable shots while walking?
Click to expand...

Sumfun - no, no, no :)

1) I was recording a game of cricket on the weekend with my HV20, and with feet extended the pod wouldn't even keep that upright.

2) You don't, but the head certainly opens up shooting options. I'll demo this in the upcoming footage.

3) I think it would act much like that "fold in the legs of the tripod" stabilization technique. Again, I'll demo this. One thing I can say, you can get some pretty interesting footage lifting the rig well above your head. The world looks a little different at 13' ;) (with HV20, not HVX!). I've now got my pov shots sorted for my upcoming short, "My Invisible Giant and I". Working title of course.
 
Also have one of these a bunch of shoulder mount accessories. Love the monopod, although it is not intended to hold the cam unattended.

Do not try, because it won't balance and the cam will fall.
 
I don't have one but..

I don't have one but..

I have seen an XL-1 stand for at least 30 minutes on a hard surface indoors.
 
kgimedia said:
I have seen an XL-1 stand for at least 30 minutes on a hard surface indoors.
Click to expand...

What's the point of this post? I'm not looking to pick a fight - this may be possible if perfectly balanced, but its precarious at best. A light touch or gentle breeze could knock it over. There's no locking mechanism on the fluid ball of the monopod (which provides the smooth motion when the feet are extended). Would you risk your cam by balancing it like this?

This is one of the few negatives for me - you need to be with the setup at all times when it's standing. Though for under $200 who can complain.
 
Once I bounced a golf ball off a wedge sixty five times in row.

But I won't try to balance a HVX200 on a monopod ever
 
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Added footage of the 562 in use to first post.

Ullanta - when the monopod is left in its upright position, focusing is only a little harder than when you're on a tripod (with feet down the pod is quite stable). For tilt moves it's a lot harder...for obvious reasons. That of course when using an adapter, when using a 1/3" cam focusing is almost no issue.
 
Nice user demo footage, Steve. Thanks!

Stop down the lens attached to the SGbaby, light and composition permitting, and things get a lot simpler with the FF. Cool.
 
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