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monopod for for hiking


cirke

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I am looking for the best monopod for hiking with a light ballhead for my M9

I wanted first to get a Leki Photosystem Carbon but I have heard that it is not the best solution if you need a ballhead

 

The price does not matter

 

 

any idea is welcome ?

 

thank you

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Best monopod available although price may be high!:p

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What type of monopod, there are many, do you have any other preference than price is irrelevant. Do you want/need one acting as walking stick or not, snap or twist lock, metal or carbon fibre. Small ball heads are many, are you looking for one that is Arca-Swiss (AS) compatible or not or plain 1/4" screw at the end of the stick is sufficient.

 

I use heavy duty CF Gitzo with AS clamp and cheap aluminium Manfrotto with selection of cheap Manfrotto heads, both work well as walking sticks.

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the answer in my first post I was looking for Leki Photosystem Carbon

 

Amazon UK sells Leki walking sticks, probably online retail near you as well.

 

If you want photographic monopod that is designed as walking stick Gitzo has the model

 

Gitzo GM1130MT Monotrek Monopod / Walking Stick with Belt Clip (GM1130MT) - Wex Photographic

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Like Mladen, for the Leica M I also use the Gitzo GM1130MT.

http://www.camerasxpert.com/images/4314/gitzo-gm1130mt-monotrek-monopod-walking-stick.jpg

 

It is modestly flexible which is good for walking, and still rigid and tall enough for a monopod. It will definitely not suffice for DSLR telephoto work.

 

For the MF camera I use a heavier-duty model that I cannot recommend as much as the above. I tried a lot of walking assists after an accident as I recovered and there is a model which has a 'shock absorber'. Don't even dream of it. It went to pieces in a week. The only way it worked was to use two. :)

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I got the Manfrotto 685B. It has a nice fold down foot pad that you can use to hold it in place on the ground with your foot and you can screw the rubber base out of the way for hiking which exposes a pointed base rod for hiking. I got a Manfrotto #234 head for it and then use a Kirk plate for mounting my RRS M9 camera base plate for a quick release.

This thing will extend to 6 feet high and if you need to reach very high or very long, it works. I put my camera on 12s delay to give me time to frame my shot with wide angle lenses and go for it from time to time. Over a cliff for example or anywhere you cannot easily reach for a photo on your own.

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Hi Erick,

 

I had a pair of Leki telescopic cross-country poles (Extreme something or other). They were nice and stiff, but light and screwed together to form an avalanche probe. I lost one (fell out of my backpack while speed riding :mad:).

 

The one I was left with has a 1/4" screw sticking out (after you unscrew the handle). So I have added a Novoflex Basic Ball. The ball is possibly overkill, as I can screw the pole directly into the camera, but then the thread does not have the same precision feel. Not sure I want to damage the thread in the bottom of my M9, when the ball also gives me the option of different angles etc.

 

So, I tend to use the pole with the handle on (leaving the ball attached to the bottom of the camera). When I need to take a picture using the walking stick, I unscrew the handle, and then choose the thread on the ball I need. Simple, but effective. I am considering cutting the top off the handle, and attaching the ball to the walking stick, but I'm not sure the end result will be as convenient.

 

Cheers

John

 

PS - I should have added that Novoflex also make a pole, with a handle, the Basic Ball attaches to it.

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