Monopods with AF100

[tflak]

One add-on I love is a leveleling head between the monopod, & "fluid" head.

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

Have been using a couple of these for about 3 years and also love them. Hesitated to buy at first due to expense, but have gotten lots of use out of them on everything from monopods to a Gorillapod Focus, and sliders. These things are top quality, smooth as silk to adjust and never slip when you tighten them down. And they have a nice large level that's easy to see.

 

[Bern Caughey]

They're now offering a Large version for heads with wider bases.

http://acratech.net/home.php?cat=2

 

[eiker_ir]

One of the things i find really helps with stability is NOT holding the actual Monopod right under the camera, but instead by adding two handles to your rig on each side of the camera. Here's a picture of me using two Redrock handles (on on the other side, can't be seen in the pic) on a basic Manfrotto 680B Monopod, it feels a lot more solid and stable that way.

 

[tflak]

They're now offering a Large version for heads with wider bases.

http://acratech.net/home.php?cat=2

Sweet - glad to know about that - thanks for sharing.

One thing I forgot to mention about the 561BHDV-1 Monopod is how I use it with my GH2. I take a 3 mile fast hike just about every morning at dawn through a beautiful area with lots of wildlife and so need to be ready to set up and shoot fast. And subjects are often pretty far away so using the Lumix 100-300 lens with ETC is often the only way to get a decent shot. Only problem is that at 300mm with ETC engaged it's almost impossible to get a steady footage without a tripod. However, I found a tripod too heavy, bulky and slow to set up. Enter the 561BHDV-1 Monopod. One of its features is it has a detent balance point where it will stand on its own. But it was a bit tricky to get balanced just right so I tightened the screws on the base just enough that it's stiffer than normal. With that done I can quickly frame the shot and then let the monopod free stand to get a steady shot - even at 300mm using ETC. It takes about 5 seconds to completely stabilize once you let go of it, but then gives a rock steady shot -- unless there's a breeze, in which case you're screwed.

Just used it this way this morning to get footage of a bald eagle and a great blue heron that I'd not have been able to get otherwise (without using a tripod). I'll post the video when I can to show how steady it is.

Have found I can walk pretty fast (even hands-free) with this rig balanced on my shoulder and instantly be ready to shoot.

 

[Bernie Hipos]

I have the 680b version and use it all the time especially during wedding prep. During ceremony I have it on standby and use a tripod for that, although I was able to cover some weddings using just a monopod and it works great 'coz you can easily move and shoot in tight places without any problems. Also, using a monopod is easier than using a tripod (based on my experience).

By the way, if you already have a fluid head like the Manfrotto 701HDV, you can just get the 562b-1 instead of buying the 561bhdv-1. As per my research they're the same minus the fluid head that's bundled with it. I really hope that they're both the same 'coz I haven't seen one physically. Lol. Anyway, I bit the bullet and just bought one yesterday and can't wait to use it.