Nick Leech
Well-known member
I am thinking of buying my first monopod. I will be using it for photographing birds with either my Canon SX50 superzoom or with my Canon 7D with 400mm/f5.6 lens.
I was thinking either Manfrotto 680B or Manfrotto MM294A4.
I know a lot of people recommend the 680B, but a few people say it is slightly on the heavy side (overkill for a Canon SX50?). I have seen some favourable reviews for the MM294A4 - people who say that it is strong enough for a 7D with 400mm/f5.6 despite being quite a bit lighter than the 680B. So I am leaning towards the MM294A4.
As regards tilt heads for a monopod. Is it necessary to have one at all? I do not envisage needing to switch from landscape to portrait format shots for bird photography. Surely you can achieve a measure of tilt simply by leaning the monopod slightly off-vertical forwards or backwards? Is it really necessary to have a tilt head at all? Might a tilt head be an unnecessary addition to the weight of the monopod set-up?
If people think I do need a tilt head, I would go for one with a quick-release plate. Would people recommend the Manfrotto 234RC?
Any advice welcome. Thanks folks!
I was thinking either Manfrotto 680B or Manfrotto MM294A4.
I know a lot of people recommend the 680B, but a few people say it is slightly on the heavy side (overkill for a Canon SX50?). I have seen some favourable reviews for the MM294A4 - people who say that it is strong enough for a 7D with 400mm/f5.6 despite being quite a bit lighter than the 680B. So I am leaning towards the MM294A4.
As regards tilt heads for a monopod. Is it necessary to have one at all? I do not envisage needing to switch from landscape to portrait format shots for bird photography. Surely you can achieve a measure of tilt simply by leaning the monopod slightly off-vertical forwards or backwards? Is it really necessary to have a tilt head at all? Might a tilt head be an unnecessary addition to the weight of the monopod set-up?
If people think I do need a tilt head, I would go for one with a quick-release plate. Would people recommend the Manfrotto 234RC?
Any advice welcome. Thanks folks!