Portable monopod suggestion?

I

infinet

Member
I've been testing out my AF100 for the past few days and most of the stuff I am shooting is on the run and my tripod is really slowing me down. Anyone have a suggestion on a good monopod to be used with the Af100?

I'm also looking into a Glidecam HD as well. thoughts?
 
Check the monopod recommendations by stillmotion on their blog. Also check out blackbird for stabiliztion.
 
infinet said:
I've been testing out my AF100 for the past few days and most of the stuff I am shooting is on the run and my tripod is really slowing me down. Anyone have a suggestion on a good monopod to be used with the Af100?

I'm also looking into a Glidecam HD as well. thoughts?
Click to expand...


Check out the Sachtler Soom http://www.sachtler.com/us/xl-system-soom.html
It will support up to 19 lbs. I original bought the Soom for a camera pushing the maximum weight limit. It worked, however for small cameras like the AF100 , it performs very well.
Here is a picture of it in use in Paris with HVX200. I walked around all day with it wasn't too bad. http://www.dvfootagesource.com/images/big_run.jpg
 
If you're moving between the monopod and the sticks frequently, consider using the same brand of both, so the plate is compatible.
 
Thanks for the suggestions all! That Manfrotto looks like a good deal and is what I'm looking for. I wish I had the budget for the Soom kit though!
 
*** NOTE: There is a new version of the Manfrotto 561BHDV monopod the model number now has a "-1" added to it. ( 561BHDV-1 ) The new version has a "RED" panning socket at the base of the monopod, and it has been redesigned to overcome the "sticky" problems when panning with the old version. I have the old version and I hope that Manfrotto comes out with an upgrade kit for owners of the old model.
 
bgundu said:
Check the monopod recommendations by stillmotion on their blog. Also check out blackbird for stabiliztion.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendation. I was looking at either the Merlin or Glidecam but now I have a third option.

I was leaning toward the Merlin but I read it isn't as sturdy and holds less weight than the Glidecam. I like the form factor though and many swear by it. Blackbird looks good and priced well. At the moment, I don't have the budget to purchase a vest.

I'm having a hard time deciding on which to get. I would rather try them out before making my purchase but I cant find a place near me that rents them out - and I dont want to do the whole shipping/renting/shipping back route. Has anyone used these stabilizers with their AF100? Even better, has anyone used 2 or 3 of these and can make a recommendation on which works better with the Af100?
 
infinet said:
Thanks for the recommendation. I was looking at either the Merlin or Glidecam but now I have a third option.

I was leaning toward the Merlin but I read it isn't as sturdy and holds less weight than the Glidecam. I like the form factor though and many swear by it. Blackbird looks good and priced well. At the moment, I don't have the budget to purchase a vest.

I'm having a hard time deciding on which to get. I would rather try them out before making my purchase but I cant find a place near me that rents them out - and I dont want to do the whole shipping/renting/shipping back route. Has anyone used these stabilizers with their AF100? Even better, has anyone used 2 or 3 of these and can make a recommendation on which works better with the Af100?
Click to expand...

I just rigged up my Merlin to use with the AF100. I have it balanced OK right now with the Olympus 14-35 which is a pretty decent piece of glass. I was pretty surprised at how fast it actually balanced up with that lens on it. It lines up nicely with the lens support screw on the merlin too.
 
I read that the Merlin (even with its arm) can only hold up to 7 pounds; whereas the Glidecam can do up to 10 without the arm and 18 with it. Is this true? Why would there be such a wide gap between two similar/competing products? I was leaning towards the Merlin but I want to make sure in the long term it can hold all my attachments I have for my Af100.
 
It's all about counter weight. The Glidecam does have a longer stem, in essence creating more inertia. The Blackbird's neck is also extendable and like the other two, can add more counter weight. 8 pounds does get heavy so unless it's quick bursts of shooting, an arm may be better. Have you weighed the AF100 with all your attachments? With steadicams, you don't want to use long lenses. The 20mm 1.7 is pretty nice on the camera and is light. To prevent lens flares, you can make a quick and dirtly lens hood. As soon as you add matte boxes and rods, the weight adds up quickly.

infinet said:
I read that the Merlin (even with its arm) can only hold up to 7 pounds; whereas the Glidecam can do up to 10 without the arm and 18 with it. Is this true? Why would there be such a wide gap between two similar/competing products? I was leaning towards the Merlin but I want to make sure in the long term it can hold all my attachments I have for my Af100.
Click to expand...
 
I haven't weighted it just yet. Right now, I have a Redrock baseplate/follow focus, monitor and some Zeiss ZF2 lenses. At times I will be renting a nanoflash for certain projects. I am also planning to purchase a matte box later down the line. I just want to make sure I invest in something that will last me (and eventually get a vest/arm). And also something that is reasonable in cost (ie I cant afford a Pilot)

bgundu said:
It's all about counter weight. The Glidecam does have a longer stem, in essence creating more inertia. The Blackbird's neck is also extendable and like the other two, can add more counter weight. 8 pounds does get heavy so unless it's quick bursts of shooting, an arm may be better. Have you weighed the AF100 with all your attachments? With steadicams, you don't want to use long lenses. The 20mm 1.7 is pretty nice on the camera and is light. To prevent lens flares, you can make a quick and dirtly lens hood. As soon as you add matte boxes and rods, the weight adds up quickly.
Click to expand...
 
If you are going to use all that gear on a stabilizer, then stepping up to the pilot is a better choice. On a side note, unless you have remote focus, having the FF on there is useless. Strip it down, and the merlin, glidecam, blackbird, are surprisingly very capable gear. Besides, this type of shots are not really bread and butter. Rent if you have to and put the money into glass.

infinet said:
I haven't weighted it just yet. Right now, I have a Redrock baseplate/follow focus and some Zeiss ZF2 lenses. But I am also planning to purchase a matte box later down the line. I just want to make sure I invest in something that will last me (and eventually get a vest/arm). And also something that is reasonable in cost (ie I cant afford a Pilot)
Click to expand...
 
I wish I could afford a Pilot. I'll do a deeper search to see if there are any places near me that do rentals. Thanks for the FF tip

bgundu said:
If you are going to use all that gear on a stabilizer, then stepping up to the pilot is a better choice. On a side note, unless you have remote focus, having the FF on there is useless. Strip it down, and the merlin, glidecam, blackbird, are surprisingly very capable gear. Besides, this type of shots are not really bread and butter. Rent if you have to and put the money into glass.
Click to expand...
 
TheDingo said:
*** NOTE: There is a new version of the Manfrotto 561BHDV monopod the model number now has a "-1" added to it. ( 561BHDV-1 ) The new version has a "RED" panning socket at the base of the monopod, and it has been redesigned to overcome the "sticky" problems when panning with the old version. I have the old version and I hope that Manfrotto comes out with an upgrade kit for owners of the old model.
Click to expand...
+1
 
I would suggest you also look at Junior Rig from DVTec. The string pole does help a bit if you would like to move. It is however NOT a Glidecam, so don't think the string pole will do shots like that. Move for a few steps slow is still doable though. A good thing compered to other "rigs" is that your hands are where they are supposed to be, on the camera with finger distance to all function nobs. I really really like this device so much better then a normal monopod since I am so much more movable and still beeing able to deliver picture. It is so difficult when the monopod touch the floor or when you lift it up to maintain picture. Earlier I quite often used a monopod to my belt or pockets, but hip movement while taking a few steps makes it impossible to use for other then just standing still. You could add a quickrelease of the same kind as your tripod, for easier mounting camera between Junior Rig and tripod.

EDIT: Glidecam, and the like, is for movement only. Hard to stand still. Hard with wind outdoors. Don't go with these systems unless movement is close to 100% of what you shoot. I just use my Glidcam when I have to get a smooth moving shot (the few times I have used it for standing still for an intervju or whatever, I hate myself in the edit suite. It is not close to a Junior Rig shot)
 
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editman said:
I like the 561 also. Great little monopod that even can stand on it's own.
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I also agree that the Manfrotto 561 is a great monopod. But while it can stand on its own without a camera mounted, I would NEVER leave it unattended with a camera on top. A medium strength breeze could knock it over.
But, again, it's a great deal. I use this thing all the time with the GH1 and hope to use it even more when the AF100 gets here.
 
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