Monopod for RB67

Don Wallace · Sep 20, 2009

I want to get a monopod for my RB67 for when I am travelling with family. They don't like to stand around for the time required to set up for "masterpieces." Sigh.

So, does anyone have any recommendations? I would like to keep this as inexpensive as possible. I have a quick release pan head on my tripod which I suppose I could put on the monopod, but is it necessary? I have never used a monopod and I can't anticipate what the problems might be, so any advice based on experience and not speculation would be appreciated. A trip to NYC in a few weeks will be the acid test.

Gerry M · Sep 20, 2009

Don,
I used a Manfrotto #682 (model with 3 collapsible/removable feet). I added a Manfrotto #3229 tilt head and a Kirk QR clamp, with a QR plate on the camera. Probably not the cheapest way to go, but as heavy as the RB is, stability is most important. I adjusted the head so that I could place the foot of the mpod about one foot forward of my body and the camera would remain level. That way, with your feet about 12"/18" apart, your body and the mpod become a tripod. Rest the film back against your body. This way the three folding legs were unnecessary. Also, I used a WLF. Just my experience.
Gerry

DWThomas · Sep 20, 2009

I bought a Cullman 741 several years ago, as about the cheapest thing I could find that looked like it might last a few years. I put a Manfrotto 3229 head on it (now replaced by a 234RC) which is a horizontal swivel arrangement with the RC-2 quick release.

It works fine with my Bronica SQ-A, but I haven't really used it very much, as most of my projects have been leisurely in uncrowded places where I could set up a tripod. It's just a straight telescoping leg with five sections, the last of which I would never need with a WLF. Collapsed it's about 17 inches long and weighs about 1 1/4 pound (550 gm), including the aforementioned head.

(Edit: )
I suppose one could go super cheap and screw the 1/4-20 stud on the monopod right into the camera, but the additional swivel thingie is nice in that the camera can be tilted up and down without having to lean the monopod. For non-square formats you might rotate the QR plate 90º on the camera and use the swivel to rotate to portrait mode -- not sure how that would handle with the off center mass hung off the side though.

DaveT

Don Wallace · Sep 21, 2009

Thanks guys. I can see that the swivel would be good if I wanted to tilt the camera. I suppose that a monopod works best when the weight is pushing straight down. I have a quick release head on the tripod I am now using for the RB, so I guess I can just put it on the monopod.

Like DW, I mostly shoot in uncrowded circumstances with no family around, drumming their fingers and looking at their watches but as I said, this is a family trip (wife, daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons!). I will likely only need the monopod for interiors which I have been unable to do much on other trips. I can't hold the RB67 effectively below 1/125 and even if I could get down to 1/60, the dof is still too shallow in most dark interiors. I need just a little more room and I am hoping I can get down to 1/30, maybe even 1/15 with the monopod. Or is that just wishful thinking?

As for portrait vs landscape mode, the RB67 has a rotable back which I learned to appreciate quite early on.

Brook Hill · Sep 21, 2009

I agree with above on the QR head and a swivel. I have a Benbow monopod and an unexpected bonus was that it is only in two sections with the locking screw within easy reach when using the camera on top. It is a simple matter to reach down and adjust the height whilst still maintaining full control and viewing of the camera.
Tony

Xmas · Sep 21, 2009

medium sized 'bean bag' is also useful if there is convenient wall or auto to set the bag and camera on.

jeffreyg · Sep 21, 2009

Have you tried not spreading the legs of the tripod when family prohibits? You could use it as a monopod or modified monopod and still have a tripod when they are not looking. If not Manfrotto has monopods that can handle the weight and are not expensive.

DWThomas · Sep 21, 2009

Hehe, I just remembered another observation about monopods ...

I used mine on a trek along a local trail while I was attempting to take shots of the same scenes on Delta 100 and Acros 100, swapping backs on the Bronica. I was also occasionally trying a filter. I am obliged to report that, unlike a tripod, a monopod will not hold the camera for you while you twiddle widgets and fish through gadget bags. I didn't drop the camera, but had some thoughts about how evolving a third hand might be a nice thing! The afternoon required more flexibility and dexterity than my tire old bod is acustomed to providing.

DaveT

Sirius Glass · Sep 21, 2009

DaveT,

The mental picture of that is painful. It will take some time to recover from that post.

Steve

paul ron · Sep 21, 2009

I use a collapsing hiking staff I bought at a Campmor. Added a 1/4-20 screw in the grip adn put a quick release on that. There you have a perfect monopod that also serves as a walking stick. I guess a ski pole will work just as well with some mods.

Donima · Oct 21, 2009

Don; I have a Giotto monopod which i use on my rb67 and it is very sturdy. It has a tilting head and a quick release system. I got it from B@h and it cost a about a 100.00 a couple of years ago. It is larger than most monopods but not very heavy. It also has a couple of 12in legs that fit on the top that will turn it into a very sturdy tripod and also it can be used as a walking (large ) stick! hope this helps you. Don

Dave Krueger · Oct 22, 2009

Hmmm... I just ordered a Manfrotto 681 and a 486RC2 head for it ($135 from B&H). I mostly wanted it for 35mm because I often pick up a Grande Starbucks at the beginning of my photo expeditions which tends to make me a bit unsteady. I think I will probably continue to use a tripod with the RB where possible, but I specifically picked a monopod that would support the RB since it has to be easier to handle and less likely to be intrusive on city sidewalks and other places where there is pedestrian traffic. Only time will tell if it really suits my needs, but holding the RB (especially with the AE prism) is increasing less appealing as I get older.

Anyway, I can't really recommend it since it hasn't even arrived yet, but I thought I'd pass on the info anyway. I stayed with the 3-section pod because I thought it would be quicker to use and more rigid even though it doesn't collapse down quite as much as the 4-section 680. It's not very high, but neither am I. I've never used a ball head before, so that should be an interesting challenge. I do have a 3-way head I can use on it, but it will be bulkier.

One complaint I've read about is that it doesn't have the locking screws that keep the head from unscrewing. I will probably feel compelled to rectify that in some way if it looks like it will be a problem. The heads on my other tripods are secured with locking screws.

darinwc · Oct 22, 2009

I have a Tiltall monopod that is a pretty massive thing. I use it on my RB67 and Graflex SuperD 4x5. It is solid.

But monopods give you no left-right stability, so it did not work very well with a canon and 600mm mirror lens.

For the RB67, I found a wide neck strap to work very well. The mass of the camera combined with resting it against your body is pretty stable.

Something else to try is an 800 speed film. The extra space a 6x7 neg gives you really make grain a minor issue.

Don Wallace · Oct 27, 2009

Followup: Well, I bought a relatively inexpensive Induro monopod. I don't intend to use it a lot, so I didn't want to spend a lot of money. It was just fine - nice and light, folded up short. The problem was with my Manfrotto head which does not fold up well and is rather heavy. I use for my 6x7 and my 4x5. On the trip to NYC, the monopod was great, but the head was a giant PITA. I am going to have to get a much simpler and lighter head for it to make it truly portable on such trips. Nonetheless, I was able to get down to 1/60 with RB67 without any loss in sharpness. I even shot a few at 1/30 with extra bracing from a fence.

btw, thanks for all the input, folks!

Monopod for RB67

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