what monopod

S

stefanocps

Well-known member
Hello looking for a monopod to use with my fuj xt3 when shooting video. First thing is to choose if with or without head..but i think with head is better, may be some more bulky but with more options to use.
Now the point, which one you can suggest for a budget within 200 euro?. My gear is light, even if use the 55 200 and smallrig + rode videomic i don't think i l go over 2kg...
Thanks for suggestions
 
I have been trying to make monopods work for a long time. At the very least, you need lockable, spreadable feet to prevent rotation from spoiling the footage. And you need a fluid head because it just isn't natural leaning the pod in all instances. And if you are shooting weddings or uninterrupted video, you have to hold it continuously. After many attempts and realizing its flaws, I came to the conclusion I could do most anything better with a lightweight carbon fiber tripod. You can still use it like a monopod when the legs are not spread, for quickly moving it, plopping it down and recording before you are set, and have something to show rather than nothing from a missed shot. You can tilt, lean it just like a monopod, it's nearly as light, and can stand on its own on uneven ground. I've given up on monopods for weddings and videos.
 
I agree with what Tom said. I lean towards (pun intended) large monopods with large feet with light weight head. They work well for short clips in tight quarters. For example cocktail hour where you're locking down for a few seconds to zoom in and capture a moment then move on. Most other situations its either handheld or tripod. You'll have try it yourself to see how useful it is.
 
I have a Manfrotto MVM500A monopod with a head. It's OK for days when I'm in tight spaces as Peter says, or walking around a lot and want something kinda stable (between handheld and tripod), but don't want to haul along a tripod. I don't use it all that much.I think it's an older version of this: https://www.manfrotto.com/us-en/xpro...-mvmxpro500us/

Some real people, not just YouTubers, seem like the iFootage monopods. Here's their webpage: https://www.ifootagegear.com/collections/monopods

Here's a review by some YouTubers who seem to me to not just be trying to maintain a flow of free equipment. Factor in their target audience, but see what you think. Six minutes.



I bought my Manfrotto monopod on sale. Not sure I'd buy it again, though I do use it a bit. So maybe I'm almost in Tom's camp. As Peter suggests, try one out. Looks like you can rent something online for about $35USD per week.
 
Last edited:
I like those guys they shill while making you smile. Ironically that video for a monopod looks to be filmed entirely on a tripod. Plus they don't address the biggest of the downsides of a monopod, how difficult it is to maintain a steady shot. Every time you have to touch your camera press a button, twist the lens ring, etc the camera moves. It seems to be more useful than it actually is. Most people will tell you that they rarely use it.
 
This model is no longer available, but you might consider something like this: a travel tripod that can be broken down into a basic monopod: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L6IUHUS/

I have a beefier monopod that I use (occasionally) with heavier video cameras, but in general I'd rather be shooting on a tripod. The monopod I use (with a slightly different head) is this model, and I've generally been happy with it: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O469M96/

But for your needs it might be overkill.
 
I use tripod whne it is possible. SOmetime i need to move quickly around and tripod is not good. Then i try to use it closed moving around..but it is bulky and heavy..no good. My tripod has a detachable leg that become a tripod, and i use that for when i need to move around. I know its limit...footage are not really steady, but may be with the 3 leg that support i can have better result. I want to buy one because i want to have my tripod with head ready..i don't want to be to unscrew one leg, the head ecc
That's why i have come to the concluson i might buy one more..and i was askng you about model..i saw manfrotto https://www.manfrotto.com/uk-en/ele...aluminium-kit-with-fluid-head-mvmelmiia4live/, benro https://uk.benroeu.com/benro-a38fd-series-3-al-monopod-with-locking-3-leg-base-s2pro-head-4-le/ and walimex https://www.walimex-webshop.com/en/video-monopod-cineast-mono.html. They cost similar, but have different feature...manfrotto is the lighter but head is not detachable and it only tilt, the other 2 can move the head pan and tilt , head are detachable but are hevier...
 
drboffa said:
If you do video work you absolutely want pan and tilt.
Click to expand...

ok that s a must..monopo, anyway, can do pan just rotating around itself. Like manfrottto monopod, it has an Head that only do tilt, because, they say,. you can rotate the monopod for panning...Intuitevely i can agree..should see on the filed. Anyway..looking for suggestions on model to see/buy!
 
Even though they have a ball joint at the base it doesn't result in smooth pans. Plus it's just easier to have a manfrotto head that you can transition from your tripod to monopod seamlessly. You'll see once you get one.
 
It all sounds so familiar, same rationalizations, same hopes. I have Benro, Manfrotto and several other high end brands. They all were a waste of money for me. The best money was a lightweight but sturdy carbon fiber tripod, that weighs hardly more than the monopods.
 
A monopod is nice for situations where you're moving quickly and don't always know if you'll have the footprint for a tripod. It's a compromise, to be sure, but sometimes it really is the right tool for the job. I was covering a biking event recently and the monopod let me move quickly from interview-style shooting to covering the riders to covering the spectators, all while being able to stay relatively out of the way on a sidewalk.
 
Tom Roper said:
It all sounds so familiar, same rationalizations, same hopes. I have Benro, Manfrotto and several other high end brands. They all were a waste of money for me. The best money was a lightweight but sturdy carbon fiber tripod, that weighs hardly more than the monopods.
Click to expand...

you idea can be good at times..not all the time. Moving around with a tripod is always more difficult than doing it with a monopod! No chance! BTW..which one is the tripod you have lighter than a tripod?
 
Peter C. said:
Even though they have a ball joint at the base it doesn't result in smooth pans. Plus it's just easier to have a manfrotto head that you can transition from your tripod to monopod seamlessly. You'll see once you get one.
Click to expand...

no i don't like that..i want my tripod with its head on it, (and i have already it) and my monopod with its head on it..so i can easily swap from one to the other even in the same session of shooting if needed
 
stefanocps said:
you idea can be good at times..not all the time. Moving around with a tripod is always more difficult than doing it with a monopod! No chance! BTW..which one is the tripod you have lighter than a tripod?
Click to expand...

I didn't say it was lighter, nearly as light, yes it seems close. If you've made up your mind I won't say more, except I was seeking the same benefits as you, but every monopod I've bought has disappointed me, the Benro came closer than the Manfrotto. The CF tripod I use now is a Promaster SP532CK. I totally understand the desire to work in tight spaces, to pick up and move quickly, that's how weddings are. You'll see for yourself after you use one long enough, in enough situations to learn the frustrations. Tripods have their own frustrations but solve more problems than they introduce.
 
Last edited:
Tom Roper said:
I didn't say it was lighter, nearly as light, yes it seems close. If you've made up your mind I won't say more, except I was seeking the same benefits as you, but every monopod I've bought has disappointed me, the Benro came closer than the Manfrotto. The CF tripod I use now is a Promaster SP532CK. I totally understand the desire to work in tight spaces, to pick up and move quickly, that's how weddings are. You'll see for yourself after you use one long enough, in enough situations to learn the frustrations. Tripods have their own frustrations but solve more problems than they introduce.[

i have used tripod as monopod..was not nice, may be because my tripo is not so light, and with the head on top a bit bulky. have used monopod and movements are wayt better...footage not always nice, but may be with the 3 little legs(which i don t have now) could be better?
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top