nikon 800mm f5.6 monopod

[pollux]

I am looking for suitable monopod for this. I've shortlisted the gitzo GM3551 with 18kg capacity. I am 182cm tall. Is the GM5561T simply too short? I plan to use this with a Really Right Stuff monopod head.

thank you

 

[billbretz]

Excuse my speaking in English measurements - The GM 5561T, if what I found is correct, appears to be barely longer than 5 feet, and if I did my conversion correctly, you are about 6 feet? The head may add a couple of inches and the lens/camera itself would add several to get the viewfinder near eye level, but I would think it would be too close, especially if you are going to operate on unlevel surfaces where the monopod would rest a couple of inches lower than your feet. Or if you are going to be pointing the camera upward a lot, you'll want to raise the monopod rather than crouch down frequently or for extended periods. I'd go with the longer monopod.

But both of those are about four or five times more money than I've ever spent on a monopod. I use a good sturdy Manfrotto/Bogen, and it supports an older 400 2.8, about the same weight as the 800 5.6 you are talking about. (Personally, I don't 'get' the attraction to Gitzos and their twist tightening systems, especially if you are going to be adjusting the height often - and some of their monopods have not 3 but 4 (or 5, like the GM5561T) sections to deal with).

 

[cliveh]

800mm

With a 800mm, wouldn't you be better off with a tripod than a monopod?

 

[pollux]

thanks. i might as well go for a taller monopod. i can then work on a platform, and have the camera at the same level. this would also deal with pointing the lens upward, where i will need the extra height.

 

[canuhead]

I would reconsider using a ballhead. Monopod to lens and that's it. With something this weight, I wouldn't want anything in between that could be a weak point. Can't say I've ever seen ballheads used on long lenses on monopods and this is big ticket stuff. ymmv

-curious, why a ballhead and what are you shooting ?

 

[JSU]

A monopod, like a tripod, is best not used fully extended.

I'm very partial to Gitzo carbon fiber monopods, when used at ~80 - 85 % total length, they can be very solid. I have a Bogen tilt head on my Gitzo. It adds maybe three inches total to the length, not much mass and is very solid, too. Best of all, though, the monopod can now be folded along the length of the lens making carrying by a lens strap pretty comfortable without the obtrusion of a monopod extending at right angles to the lens.

 

[pollux]

Now I use the lens on my friend's systematic gitzo tripod. There are a few compelling reasons to consider a monopod, lower weight for carrying, faster setup, faster moving locations, smaller footprint. Could I find any anecdotes or stories online, of the balance of the lens on a monopod? It's lighter than the 600 f4 ais, but its about the balance.

 

[Mick Fagan]

For some time I used a 600 f5.6 ais coupled with an F3 and motordrive, this was on top of a Manfrotto 334B.

I know this is a smaller unit, but the best part of that monopod, is the pistol grip adjuster directly under the top of the monopod.

I’m 176cm so this was alright for me, just.

My suggestion is to find something that it is possible to have at a height that you are stretching to get to the viewfinder on your toes. This seems to work as a height requirement for most situations where the monopod may be in a slight depression.

I would not affix any kind of head, you will find at some stage the ball head becomes loose and you’ll have a very heavy combination working feverishly to break your wrist, I know this from personal experience with the 600 and a fastish 400.

The pistol grip adjuster is fantastic, especially if you find you are on steps, or a grandstand, you just quickly adjust the monopod height in about 5 seconds, focus, then shoot.

Mick.

 

[narsuitus]

My Manfrotto 681 monopod can handle a 26.4 lb max load and extends up to 63.25 inches. Even though this tripod is shorter than my 73-inch height, I find it tall enough to meet my needs.

Since my big lenses have their own rotating tripod mount, I have never needed a head between my lens and my monopod. I do, however, use Arca-Swiss plates when I need to change lenses quickly.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/5647309023/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/5630119100/

 

[tomalophicon]

Ah, the old reverse Michael Jackson trick.