Monopod for SL and 90-280

[SP0]

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Thanks, everyone, for your many and varied inputs.  Here's some feedback having listened to all the ideas and made a purchase.

 

So I ordered a Gitzo GM2542 Carbon eXact Monopod, which is one of their latest models (and boy is their site confusing ... too many similar models, called useless things like "Series 2" with no guidance as to the differences).  It is well made and lots lighter than the aluminium Manfrotto I used earlier.

 

I also ordered a Manfrotto tilt head, but it is not needed and I'm sending it back. It's better just to screw the monopod to the lens foot.  The reason a head is not needed is that this monopod comes with a tilting foot.  This allows me to get all the tilt motion I need, simply and easily.  (Note that I'm using it to photograph people on a playing field; bird photographers, for example, may still prefer a tilting head so they can get bigger angles without losing balance.) 

 

The tilt can't be tightened up but I didn't find this a problem at all.  It is still steady enough, although my primary purpose for a monopod is to take weight off my back rather than to gain extra shutter speed.  Having said that, I did take a test shot of a brick wall across the street and it was usably sharp down to 1/20 second at 280mm telephoto (maybe just luck that I had a steady hand for a moment!). 

 

Some posters also suggested a QR plate.  Again, in my particular use case (I only need the monopod for my SL 90-280) this is redundant, because the Leica lens foot already has a quick release mechanism built in.  It's a bit fiddly, and I tend to knock the lens on something in the process, but I will get used to it.

 

I spent the afternoon shooting some rugby, and this lens was FAR more comfortable with a monopod!

[Leicaiste]

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I also ordered a Manfrotto tilt head, but it is not needed and I'm sending it back. It's better just to screw the monopod to the lens foot. The reason a head is not needed is that this monopod comes with a tilting foot. This allows me to get all the tilt motion I need, simply and easily.

 

The tilt can't be tightened up but I didn't find this a problem at all. It is still steady enough, although my primary purpose for a monopod is to take weight off my back rather than to gain extra shutter speed.

 

Some posters also suggested a QR plate. Again, in my particular use case (I only need the monopod for my SL 90-280) this is redundant, because the Leica lens foot already has a quick release mechanism built in. It's a bit fiddly, and I tend to knock the lens on something in the process, but I will get used to it.

 

 

Sorry, but I don't understand those compromises with usability.

 

A tilting foot make you move your camera and big lens of balance. A tilting head keeps the balance near you.

 

A QR plate put all the wear on a cheap and easily replaceable part instead of an expensive part like the Leica 90-280 lens foot.

 

Not to mention the risk taken with the camera and lenses by fiddling.

[jaapv]

I'm not a great fan of monopods. A shoulderpod or chestpod will take the weight of the lens just as well and be more maneuverable. If you are in a static situation the stability of a good tripod is preferable.

[Leicaiste]

I'm not a great fan of monopods. A shoulderpod or chestpod will take the weight of the lens just as well and be more maneuverable. If you are in a static situation the stability of a good tripod is preferable.

I agree. For me (and many others) nothing beats a gimbal with a long lens.

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[phongph]

Hi All!

This topic of Monopod for SL 90-280 is useful!

Thanks!

[rriley]

I didn't really care for monopods but I did buy one of the discontinued Gitzo monopods that has the shoulder brace (Shoulder Stock).  This model works much better with a heavier camera like the S and it is ideal for travel because it quickly folds to a small package.  

 

The link to photos is longer than the monopod!

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=gitzo+shoulder+monopod&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS730US730&tbm=isch&imgil=yYkPIBKkO43ugM%253A%253BmJCg2JjfJ92GSM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.shutterbug.com%25252Fcontent%25252Fgitzopods-and-friendsbrthere-more-monopods-meets-eye&source=iu&pf=m&fir=yYkPIBKkO43ugM%253A%252CmJCg2JjfJ92GSM%252C_&usg=__1QN1c1jygyEJKvuAyWl2Lkoqa5o%3D&biw=1726&bih=959&ved=0ahUKEwj-srilifTVAhVnzFQKHR2fC04QyjcIQw&ei=ZPqgWf7wFueY0wKdvq7wBA#imgrc=yYkPIBKkO43ugM: