Seeking input from monopod users

[Flashcam]

Having been gifted with a very lightweight Manfrotto compact monopod that has five clipped sections, and then adding a Rowe small ball head, I have found it works very well compressed all the way in, with a Hasselblad with the ball head tightened so that it forms sort of a short (ft. long) hanging bob weight for balance hand held, or used extended while slightly leaning into it, but not onto it, for more stability. Feet first, camera pointed and oriented next, the place the front leg down. It's very useful for low ISO shooting while also helping support the camera and cutting camera shake. Also, the same pod/head easily can hold a small flash as a main, with another one on camera for fill.

 

[r_a_feldman]

I’ve never had issues when flying with my Feisol carbon fiber tripod. That’s why I’m specifically looking for info in CF monopods.

According to the TSA web site, you can fly with either a tripod or a monopod in carry-on luggage or in checked luggage, but a trekking/hiking pole must be checked. The site does not say what differentiates a monopod from a hiking pole, but perhaps a hiking pole has a hand grip while a monopod has either a ball head or just an exposed bolt at the top end.

 

[Pieter12]

According to the TSA web site, you can fly with either a tripod or a monopod in carry-on luggage or in checked luggage, but a trekking/hiking pole must be checked. The site does not say what differentiates a monopod from a hiking pole, but perhaps a hiking pole has a hand grip while a monopod has either a ball head or just an exposed bolt at the top end.

Generally a modern hiking pole is collapsable, thinner and has a fixed spike at the end. Older ones are just fixed length wooden poles an inch or so in diameter. I could see the hiking pole being considered a hidden weapon of sorts.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Couple things:

An L bracket on the camera makes vertical photos easier.

Also have a 360 degree lockable rotating plate (Benro PC0) on the monopod head. Got it for a long lens I used to have that had a mounting foot on the lens which aligned the camera perpendicular to when attached to the body. It allows tilting side to side as well as up & down. There are probably more elegantly engineered ($$$) solutions.

 

[wiltw]

Generally a modern hiking pole is collapsable, thinner and has a fixed spike at the end. Older ones are just fixed length wooden poles an inch or so in diameter. I could see the hiking pole being considered a hidden weapon of sorts.

Somehow a cue stick (what you use with a billiard table) got onto the TSA list of things that need to be in checked luggage (not in carryon), even though they don't have a spike on the end. My suggestion, for a monopod with a spike tip, is to remove the spike if you can, and put it into checked luggage.

 

[Flashcam]

Not having had the courage to fly for a while I would add that i have a 2x3 inch plate with a quarter twenty nut welded on it, padded on top for the ball head on my mini monopod. so for all length lenses it works OK, so far. Taking a plane somewhere is looking much more likely very soon, so thanks for the discussion on this topic.

 

[Ardpatrick]

I’ve travelled widely with my Mamiya 7 & a Gitzo series 5 cf monopod. What I like is the speed of set-up / take down. Far faster than any tripod when on the move. Also far more nimble and less intrusive in busy environments. I almost never shoot the Mamiya handheld without monopod support (except when I am using a tripod). The monopod is so fast to use with a medium format camera and provides such assurance against camera shake down to 1/4 second that it seems not using one risks a foolish waste of expensive film.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I used a monopod every day when shooting for MLB and the NFL. I shot 17 seasons of MLB using a 400 f2.8, and 14 seasons with the NFL using both a 400 and 600.
I have never used a head on the monopod. Can't see any advantage to it.
My first monopod was a Gitzo metal and is by far my favorite. I also bought a Gitzo CF when they came out but for some reason I never liked it as much and used the metal one if I only had one camera on the go.
I would check it as they might take it away at security but maybe not.

I think it was also mentioned that some hiking poles have a tripod thread on the handle. This might be an easier option.

 

[choiliefan]

This unit makes a great monopod head if you are already using the Manfrotto quick release plates that it is compatible with.
https://www.amazon.ca/Manfrotto-234RC-Monopod-Quick-Release/dp/B01EEMW4J4?th=1
View attachment 392123

I use my monopod from time to time - I've had it for ~45 years, and it has three retractable mini-legs, for when you need something for time exposures.

I use this head on a large three-section Manfrotto monopod. In my case its suitable for 4X5 Graflex SLR's and Bronica S2A. Use your legs, body and the monopod to create a human tripod.

 

[Ardpatrick]

I’ve travelled widely with my Mamiya 7 & a Gitzo series 5 cf monopod. What I like is the speed of set-up / take down. Far faster than any tripod when on the move. Also far more nimble and less intrusive in busy environments. I almost never shoot the Mamiya handheld without monopod support (except when I am using a tripod). The monopod is so fast to use with a medium format camera and provides such assurance against camera shake down to 1/4 second that it seems not using one risks a foolish waste of expensive film.

As others have said - I see little benefit to having a head on a monopod unless you’re moving between portrait & landscape formats. I basically only shoot landscape format and a head is just another point of instability.

 

[MattKing]

As others have said - I see little benefit to having a head on a monopod

I've used mine mostly with a 35mm camera and while travelling.
I like being able to take photos with the camera in portrait orientation!
The same applies to 645.

 

[gbroadbridge]

This unit makes a great monopod head if you are already using the Manfrotto quick release plates that it is compatible with.
https://www.amazon.ca/Manfrotto-234RC-Monopod-Quick-Release/dp/B01EEMW4J4?th=1
View attachment 392123

I use my monopod from time to time - I've had it for ~45 years, and it has three retractable mini-legs, for when you need something for time exposures.

That's exactly what I use with a 3 section Manfrotto monopod For both MF and 35mm

 

[BHuij]

I was recently backpacking in southern Utah. I brought my OM-1 and some lenses (and a tripod), but some of the larger overlooks were so vast that I knew I wasn't going to be happy with results from 35mm film. Luckily I also had my trusty "always with me" PowerShot S100 (I know, I know, digital).

Having my telescoping trekking pole that I specifically bought for its 3/8" screw at the top, and subsequent ability to stick a ballhead on it and use it as a monopod, plus a 3D printed L bracket for the camera is what allowed me to take a large multi-row pano and stitch it together for a very high-resolution (~80mp) final result. Stitching software is pretty good these days, and it's not impossible that I could have pulled this off handheld, but having the "monopod" made it easy, and also super convenient, which is important to me when backpacking haha.

 

[Flashcam]

Great Panoramic there! About the mini size ball head on the light monopod mentioned before, it works great with a small flash along with a fill flash on the camera. Makes for hand held controllable main light with no on camera flash look. Kind of brings an old Hass up to date.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

If you want to try the rope thing, you just need a 1/4-20 eyebolt, and tie the string to the eyebolt. Here's one made for cameras (I think this is intended as a handstrap attachment): https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1525219-REG/kupo_kg019812_1_4_d_ring_camera_mounting.html/

Personally, I think you should be ok putting an aluminum monopod into airline checked baggage. That's why they use high powered X-ray machines on checked baggage; they'll be able to see that it's hollow. I would be cautious in the modern age about putting a big one in my carry on bag. In the US, TSA says tripods are ok in both carry on and checked baggage: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/household-and-tools?page=9

the rope with eye bolt works just fine with 35mm SLRs and fits into your pocket!

 

[GregY]

Since i often hike w trekking poles, i stopped carrying the extra monopod (i have a light CF one and a tiny ball head). I don't carry a head i just place the handles of my poles together...i become the 3rd tripod leg and i've had sharp images in 35 and MF down to 1/15th of a sec.