Looking for some advice re monopods and quick release plates

Photobug

Scuderial said: Any chance you know if the Kirk Lens collar (for 300mm f/4) is compatible with the RRS clamps?

I'm hoping I don't have to sell mine and exchange it for an RRS..

You should not have any problems with them working together. I had not problem with a Kirk lens plate and RSS lens plates and body plate working on Markins head. Msmoto is the "queen" of the standard and I bet she jumps in with her technical knowledge. LoL.

Msmoto

Lots of experience on the forum, but when one has a limited budget, a few considerations are in order…. lighter/stronger is more cost. The convenience of ARCA Swiss style clamps are more expensive. Carbon or other exotic is more.

Knock-offs of RRS and others cost less and in many scenarios are nearly as good. But, with these one must really be careful.

When one is looking for a tripod/head for less than $500 maybe the used market needs to be examined.

If one can afford a D800 and 80-400 (new) then I would certainly recommend spending more than $500 and getting into the 39 pound weight capacity set-up with a good head and possibly aluminum legs.

If money is not a big worry, RRS cannot be beaten.

ChasCS

If one can (afford) save money for 4 years to buy an ultimate camera and setup, doesn't mean it's free flowing capital, yes?
Perhaps the fact$ are not all clear, but that's besides the point..
I see that Vanguardworld.com also build tripods of higher strength and reliability factors too.

But the prices are always much steeper as you go up in quality. Lucky for me, that I'll have plenty of time to shop around.
Not sure that an extra 750g will make all that much difference to my current setup, but that will have to be tested thoroughly before venturing off to hinterland, only to discover the failure of my present equipment choices.

Vipmediastar_JZ

does anybody have this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554098-REG/Manfrotto_234RC_234RC_Swivel_Tilt_Head_for.html?

I was wondering when it has the plate is the locking lever supposed to lock the same way when the plate is off? Am I supposed use force to close it all the way in? According to the manual that it comes with thats how it shows.

Golf007sd

@Vipmediastar_JZ: Avoid any heads that dose not utilize ARCA Swiss platform.

spraynpray

@Vipmediastar_JZ: To add to what Ali said, Manfrotto have a head that they say is Arca compatible, but it isn't in reality. Some plates fall out of their head I understand.

Golf007sd

...Manfrotto have a head that they say is Arca compatible, but it isn't in reality.

+1 Very true #-o

Vipmediastar_JZ

Ok I'll probably return this setup. The locking lever doesn't fully close as when the plate is off. The monopod looks nice and is light but I didn't take into account the weight of the flash so I would need one with more weight support.
With the 70-200 I personally need a tripod. I am a weak person and with the monopod I still had slight camera movement.

Golf007sd

@Vipmediastar_JZ: For any telephoto lens 70-200 or larger focal length, you want to mount the lens to the tripod or monopod via the lens collar. Moreover, you want to replace the stock collar with one that is Arca compatible. RRS makes one for every lens manufacture and they are the ones I would recommend getting.

Photobug

Also consider changing the Nikon foot on the 70-200mm lens. The RRS foot has a lower profile and is stronger. Go to the RRS web site and check the accessories for the 70-200mm lens to learn more about the foot. Then open the PDF and read about if the foot becomes lose, RRS makes a new plate to drop in to replace the Nikon plate. Mine is still good and have not had to replace it....yet.

Golf007sd

@Photobug +1

Just to be clear, the 70-200 f4 has a collar, while the 70-200 2.8 has a foot. RRS has a their own version for each lens.

spraynpray

@Golf007sd: There was talk of the Nikon 70-200 f4's collar being expensive and poor quality when it came out - does the RRS collar hold the lens like it should, just better than the Nikon, or what?

Golf007sd

@spraynpray: I have not seen or had the opportunity to play with the collar offered by RRS for the 70-200 f/4. Yet, I'm willing to take a stand that it is far superior to the one Nikon offers. In addition, it is designed to work with any Arca Swiss head.

This video might assist with your question better.

spraynpray

Thanks for that, seems like a good bit of kit. That guy made me laugh with his big deal about the squeaking, I guess he is not an engineer though as he doesn't know that anodised aluminium surfaces always squeak like that. A touch of graphite on the face and thread of the locking screw would stop that.

Msmoto

Nice extra for the flash ring….with the ARCA Swiss foot from RRS.

Vipmediastar_JZ

Well i found a couple of options. I need both a tripod and monopod.
I know that you guys said no to ball head but I am more pro tripod for the 70-2002.8 and
I found that I didn't really tilt the head as much in the first day but the quick release was very useful.
Having said that i found the Mefoto Road trip travel kit model to offer both tripod and monopod in one.
The other option is the Oben ACM-2400L with support legs at the bottom and adding a Sirui L-10 tilt head.

What are your thoughts.

TaoTeJared

Just went through a couple of Sirui tripods - ball heads stink on them. Soft steel/aluminum. Good legs but you want 2.5x your set-up weight (camera & Lens) for the legs. (D800 & 70-200 = 22lbs rated.) I read up on the Mefoto products and tried a couple at a store, for small systems they were great, but putting something like the 70-200 would be stressing them quite a bit.

I'm not a big mono pod shooter but I have a Giottos MM5580 which has a built in head, and like the Oben, you posted, has feet for it to stand. It is heavy, well built, big diameter and heavy (3lbs). The weight is nice shooting wildlife though, less of a top heavy feeling. It is actually a good ball head (non-removable) as well. Locks and stays in place. The mounting plate is round with a grove so you can loosen it and it will spin without coming out (set screw tightens it). I actually use it the most for a quick light stand since it stands 6-feet when fully deployed. (I love dual use tools!) I have a love-hate relationship with it, do wish it was lighter, smaller, and had a more standard head, but the designers were shooters for sure and knew what really is useful. I pretty much don't like it, until I am using it, and then I forget about it. Kind of the point of a well built tool, you shouldn't know you are using it since it feels natural.

Msmoto

@Vipmediastar_JZ

Here is an interesting model:
Benro C1682TV1 Travel Angel II Triple Transfunctional Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit with V1 Ball Head

http://www.adorama.com/BEC1682TV1.html

This converts from tripod to monopod….30 lb limit, a little over 5 feet tall. Includes head

Photobug

The other option is the Oben ACM-2400L with support legs at the bottom and adding a Sirui L-10 tilt head. -

Can't speak about the Oben monopod. THe Sirui L10 is a good tilt head. Have used it with D300 and D7100 with 70-200 and 200-500 Tamron lens without any issues.

Scuderia1

I know we have a few RRS fans here, but does anyone have experience with Kirk's new Monopod head? On paper, it seems like it should stack up well to RRS MH-01 series.

http://www.kirkphoto.com/Kirk_MPA-2_Monopod_Head.html

Price is great and I know I can get free shipping from B&H

Vipmediastar_JZ

Currently at B&H the sirui carbon fiber monopod is on sale. Its on sale for today only and cheaper than the alluminum version that I paid for and highly recommend.

Msmoto

The Sirui products are very nice, IMO. And, the link to B & H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/918758-REG/sirui_p_324x_photo_video_monopod.html

Vipmediastar_JZ

Yeah that is the product. it sold out that day for the sale price, I have bought a few items on sale. Im a thrifty shopper..

The aluminum version that I have holds the:

D810 with battery grip and L grip and 70-200 2.8 by the foot and it doesnt wobble if I let stand on its own. HIGHLY not recommended but I just wanted to see how it handled my heaviest setup.

I have now added the sirui ball head which is very sturdy as well.

autofocus

I purchased that deal at B&H. I'm looking for a Fluid head now as I intend to use this monopod for video. The feet and fluid head allow for tracking, panning movements in lieu a jib/slider. I have a standard monopod I use sometimes for photography. The ball head works in that case but not so useful for run and gun video.

Vipmediastar_JZ

Look into the manfrotto 502hd fluid head. I have that and I haven't used it as all my video projects are on hold. maybe this weekend I can try it.