I'll keep the NL tripod adapter. Although it transforms the 12x42 on tripod, if adding an element of confinement, I'm finding the NL tripod adapter to work well with a new monopod. I've used the 12x almost three years handheld with FRP, works just fine. However, I've discovered more joy with the 12x mounted to the monopod, without the forehead rest. When walking, the monopod and 12x, is an easy carry. (no need for tilt head when walking)
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Binoculars mounted on tripods. What is the use? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter ReinierB
- Start date
Yes, I will keep it as well. I haven't tried it on a monopod yet. Is it possible you send us a picture of your set-up?
The tripod has many advantages over handheld OR a monopod. "Hey Joe, is this a cackling goose in with those Canada's?" Move aside and the binocular will still be on the correct spot for another observer. Need your field guide right quick? Hold your field guide OR phone while looking thru the binoculars. Want your 8X around your neck for close work while scanning the water with the 15Xs? No problem.
Agree. I like my Series 5 Gitzo, and the ATX85, and so far, I find greater mobility with the monopod. Was wishing I'd brought the scope this morning.
picture of monopod and slipcase I made. and, how I've carried it this week, extended easy to place and view.
this monopod seems to be 'feature rich', I'd prefer simpler. bought it for it's long length, however, the tripod adapter adds length
Thank you! It looks quite "plain" to me without too many features.
I have an tripod and I can use one leg as monopod. I am quite tall, so I have to mount the center column, a ball head/video head and the tripod adapter to get the full length I add to look straight through it. So probably no the righ configuration.
I see you don't even use a ball head or video head.
@ReinierB I did buy a Sirui L-10 tilt head. works, will give it some use, but Extra weight may outweigh its' usefulness. I'm practicing what @TheBlackGrouse has suggested
Hermann
Well-known member
Definitely not. Using the legs of a tripod as a monopod is rarely satisfactory IME. And adding the center column, a ball head and the QR platform ... No, not really. If you want to seriously use a monopod, you first need to work out how long it needs to be: Your own height minus 35 to 40cm for an angled scope, and your own height minus 25 to 30cm for a straight scope. That works for me. You'd normally need a bit less, but this includes a reserve in case you use it in the mountains (or more likely on a seawall in your case ...
) For instance, I use angled scopes, my most used monopod is 155cm, I'm 191cm tall.BTW, I use the same formula when it comes to tripods. In that case you need to figure in the height of the head obviously.
I only ever use a head (normally a a simple tilt head, you surely don't need a video head on a monopod) in the mountains to keep the monopod straight when looking up to a ridge. BTW, if your monopod is too short, the best way to get some extra length is to get a tripod extension like the Sirui SL-200 or SL-100. Works pretty well, however, I prefer not having to use one.
Hermann
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TheBlackGrouse
Well-known member
And I forgot to mention that situation when talking about the need for a tilt head. The last few years I haven't seen any mountains other than our top hill of 322 meters. And no ridges there, flat land saves you a tilt head.
Being that my monopod was purchased with the intention of using it for scanning the night sky , I needed one that was taller than I , I'm 5'10 1/2" . My monopod with pistol grip head and fluid tech base is approximately 7 feet or 214cm tall at the mounting plate . Works well if I am looking at zenith with room to spare .Definitely not. Using the legs of a tripod as a monopod is rarely satisfactory IME. And adding the center column, a ball head and the QR platform ... No, not really. If you want to seriously use a monopod, you first need to work out how long it needs to be: Your own height minus 35 to 40cm for an angled scope, and your own height minus 25 to 30cm for a straight scope. That works for me. You'd normally need a bit less, but this includes a reserve in case you use it in the mountains (or more likely on a seawall in your case ...
BTW, I use the same formula when it comes to tripods. In that case you need to figure in the height of the head obviously.
I only ever use a head (normally a a simple tilt head, you surely don't need a video head on a monopod) in the mountains to keep the monopod straight when looking up to a ridge. BTW, if your monopod is too short, the best way to get some extra length is to get a tripod extension like the Sirui SL-200 or SL-100. Works pretty well, however, I prefer not having to use one.
Hermann
Even though I bought it for mainly stargazing I seem to be using it more in the daytime .
Attachments
TooManyTims
New member
Hi all. For me, the different in image detail and comfort I experience when using a tripod woth my binoculars makes the hassle of carrying and setting up absolutely worth it. Once I started using a tripod I never looked back. I should add that I exclusilve use only 8 x magnification and can hold them pretty still by hand (to the point that the only real motion in the image is my heart doing its thing ). I've spent some time playing with tripods/monopods, different styles of mounting heads and attachment methods and have a setup that works really well for me. After a little practice, it takes me <7 sec to get the binoculars securely on the tripod and trained on a target. Importantly this can all be done with out ever taking eyes of the bird (or the last place you saw things moving in the trees). I've created a short video to run through it for anyone who might be interested. Sure, I might miss the occasional fleeting bird, because of those precious few seconds of setup, but I'm 100% willing to pay that price.
Youtube video link here.
). I've spent some time playing with tripods/monopods, different styles of mounting heads and attachment methods and have a setup that works really well for me. After a little practice, it takes me <7 sec to get the binoculars securely on the tripod and trained on a target. Importantly this can all be done with out ever taking eyes of the bird (or the last place you saw things moving in the trees). I've created a short video to run through it for anyone who might be interested. Sure, I might miss the occasional fleeting bird, because of those precious few seconds of setup, but I'm 100% willing to pay that price.Youtube video link here.
Hillclocks
Active member
T, nice demo and idea. This helps to make this thread interesting. Yes, learn to use what works well and is comfortable for you. Through practice it "almost" becomes second nature.
I've included a photo of my mono pod setup. A Monfrotto 681B mono pod, with a 234RC quick-tach head. This is topped off with a home made bino base. I have come to like the "easy to use" feel. Shown is an Opticron BGA 7X36 attached. It handles My Ultravid 12X50 bins very well. Thanks to all fellow Bird Forum contributers.
I've included a photo of my mono pod setup. A Monfrotto 681B mono pod, with a 234RC quick-tach head. This is topped off with a home made bino base. I have come to like the "easy to use" feel. Shown is an Opticron BGA 7X36 attached. It handles My Ultravid 12X50 bins very well. Thanks to all fellow Bird Forum contributers.
Harry Stottle
Unknown-Known
Hillclocks
Active member
Wow....ow........ow! Makes a good impression on paper. Try to count the points on a mule deer at 800 yards while it's walking. Ya have to find him first. Put those bins on a good tripod, Just imagine the view. I think my Zeiss 85 Victory FL 20X60 would fill this slot "extremely" well. Have fun holding them. I always mount my Steiner 20X80 Ralay on a tripod, It can hold "steady" for hours and not get tired!
Hi to all !
I am kind of late to shime in on this subject but I stumbled upon this thread while I was searching for alternatives to mount my Swarovski's and possibly other bins on a tripod. The reason for this is simple; I have 2 SLC HD's, one 10 and one 15x56 which both serve a specific purpose in my birding'needs'.
I use them both on a Swarovski adapter in combination with a Sirui VA-5 which works fabulous but when switching from one to another I always have to unscrew the cone which is connected to the one Swaro and screw it on to the other Swaro. So, this is not so convenient, as is the fact that this adapter only works for Swarovski's and not for my lately returned old Zeis Jenoptem 10x50W which is the binocular I started birding with when I was a young child. It would be nice to have the possibility to mount this one too at a tripod.
Has anyone experiences with the use of larger ballheads instead of a fluid head?
- For example a Leofoto LH-40
I know about 2 Berlebach adapters which may seem interesting?:
1. Berlebach Verrekijkerhouder
2. Berlebach Montering Fernglashalter FGH deluxe
Thanks in advance!
Now to continue about what kind of situations and why I use them mounted on a tripod for is the next.
I have 2 main purposes for the use of these Swarovski's on a tripod in which I believe and find that one of the combinations for its specific purpose I use it for in particular is just simply brilliant.
1. The SLC 10x56 HD is simply standing in front of my livingspace-window, pointed at our garden, usually and mainly during winter time.
The difference imagewise between handholding them or mounted is Huge! Their true quality really comes to their right.
The lack of shake caused by trembling hands or body, or by heartbeat makes them so much more easy and enjoyable to use.
All the birds at our feeder and anywhere around the garden are so relaxing to look at.
Little Spotted Woodpecker this very morning in the back of our garden! Beautifull!
I also remember last summer how I pointed the 10's (mounted!) at a migrating group of 95 White Storks passing our backgarden. The entire group in 1 image! No shake and using both eyes made this a simply deeply mindblowing experience which no scope in the world can challenge..
2. The SLC 15x56 HD is my 'to-go' migration counting tool. I am a passioned counter at our local migration counting station (and if possible anywhere else I can go within and beyond Belgium borders) which is Averbode Bos&Heide. We have almost 50, more or less active and enthousiastic birders in our own local Whatsapp group but there are non who use there scope as efficiently as the way I use, for this purpose absolutely brilliant, Swaro binoculars!
Mounted on a tripod, they really shine in this part of active birding. This is a stationary way of birding where you just put yourself down and start looking around over the area, searching for flying birds so no need to move and become bothered by the tripod itself.
I often notice questionable looks into my direction when peoples see me standing or sitting while looking through these bins when all the others have scopes. They then usually ask if they can have a look through them and the reactions are always the same ; 'WOOW' !!
A few of my friends start to become so intrigued by them that they are considering a Good(!) 15 power themselves.
In this regard, the benefits over a scope are easy to see, though sometimes quite remarkable as well and thus easy to sum up.
It is so much more easy to find groups of birds or solitary birds and keep track of them while they move and fly by. Much quicker and easier than with any scope, mainly because of the slightly lower magnification and the much wider field of view. You than also have to take into consideration that you are using both of your eyes and thus see so much more details eventhough the lower mag. In some occasions it has really astonished, not only me, but also our colleague-counters!
In 1 such occasion I once discoverd a Harrier slightly above the horizon at a large distance, straight ahead of our stand. I was able to orientate the rest of the team towards the bird to the point that every single one of us had the bird in image. I was than the first to make a possitive ID and judge the bird as an adult male Hen Harrier. Not so difficult right? but really remarkable that the rest of the birders where NOT able to judge this, even though they were looking at 20-30x magnification (Kowa-Swarovski-Nikon scopes!). I swear with these, mounted on a tripod for the purpose of migration counting.
Though I do have to admit that earlier on in the season, when Honeybuzzards, Marsh Harriers as well as other interesting raptors and Storks start to migrate, I find myself using my ATX65 or Meostar S2 more often because it makes it usually more suitable to get a 'closer-up' image of every individual raptor which passses. And off course when a juvenile harrier or a really interesting one might pass over some distance, I still think a good scope will fix the job more effectively. Later on in the season, when the peak really starts at the end of september onward, and more and more groups of pipits, finches, thrushes, larks,.. start to move, there is nothing really better, than a fixed high magnification binocular to observe and especially enjoy the phenomenon.
Ok, with this you have my take on the whole matter and I guess that this was the most of what I wanted to express here.
Hopefully you find these perspectives of any interest!
Greetings to you all !
I am kind of late to shime in on this subject but I stumbled upon this thread while I was searching for alternatives to mount my Swarovski's and possibly other bins on a tripod. The reason for this is simple; I have 2 SLC HD's, one 10 and one 15x56 which both serve a specific purpose in my birding'needs'.
I use them both on a Swarovski adapter in combination with a Sirui VA-5 which works fabulous but when switching from one to another I always have to unscrew the cone which is connected to the one Swaro and screw it on to the other Swaro. So, this is not so convenient, as is the fact that this adapter only works for Swarovski's and not for my lately returned old Zeis Jenoptem 10x50W which is the binocular I started birding with when I was a young child. It would be nice to have the possibility to mount this one too at a tripod.
Has anyone experiences with the use of larger ballheads instead of a fluid head?
- For example a Leofoto LH-40
I know about 2 Berlebach adapters which may seem interesting?:
1. Berlebach Verrekijkerhouder
2. Berlebach Montering Fernglashalter FGH deluxe
Thanks in advance!
Now to continue about what kind of situations and why I use them mounted on a tripod for is the next.
I have 2 main purposes for the use of these Swarovski's on a tripod in which I believe and find that one of the combinations for its specific purpose I use it for in particular is just simply brilliant.
1. The SLC 10x56 HD is simply standing in front of my livingspace-window, pointed at our garden, usually and mainly during winter time.
The difference imagewise between handholding them or mounted is Huge! Their true quality really comes to their right.
The lack of shake caused by trembling hands or body, or by heartbeat makes them so much more easy and enjoyable to use.
All the birds at our feeder and anywhere around the garden are so relaxing to look at.
Little Spotted Woodpecker this very morning in the back of our garden! Beautifull!
I also remember last summer how I pointed the 10's (mounted!) at a migrating group of 95 White Storks passing our backgarden. The entire group in 1 image! No shake and using both eyes made this a simply deeply mindblowing experience which no scope in the world can challenge..
2. The SLC 15x56 HD is my 'to-go' migration counting tool. I am a passioned counter at our local migration counting station (and if possible anywhere else I can go within and beyond Belgium borders) which is Averbode Bos&Heide. We have almost 50, more or less active and enthousiastic birders in our own local Whatsapp group but there are non who use there scope as efficiently as the way I use, for this purpose absolutely brilliant, Swaro binoculars!
Mounted on a tripod, they really shine in this part of active birding. This is a stationary way of birding where you just put yourself down and start looking around over the area, searching for flying birds so no need to move and become bothered by the tripod itself.
I often notice questionable looks into my direction when peoples see me standing or sitting while looking through these bins when all the others have scopes. They then usually ask if they can have a look through them and the reactions are always the same ; 'WOOW' !!
A few of my friends start to become so intrigued by them that they are considering a Good(!) 15 power themselves.
In this regard, the benefits over a scope are easy to see, though sometimes quite remarkable as well and thus easy to sum up.
It is so much more easy to find groups of birds or solitary birds and keep track of them while they move and fly by. Much quicker and easier than with any scope, mainly because of the slightly lower magnification and the much wider field of view. You than also have to take into consideration that you are using both of your eyes and thus see so much more details eventhough the lower mag. In some occasions it has really astonished, not only me, but also our colleague-counters!
In 1 such occasion I once discoverd a Harrier slightly above the horizon at a large distance, straight ahead of our stand. I was able to orientate the rest of the team towards the bird to the point that every single one of us had the bird in image. I was than the first to make a possitive ID and judge the bird as an adult male Hen Harrier. Not so difficult right? but really remarkable that the rest of the birders where NOT able to judge this, even though they were looking at 20-30x magnification (Kowa-Swarovski-Nikon scopes!). I swear with these, mounted on a tripod for the purpose of migration counting.
Though I do have to admit that earlier on in the season, when Honeybuzzards, Marsh Harriers as well as other interesting raptors and Storks start to migrate, I find myself using my ATX65 or Meostar S2 more often because it makes it usually more suitable to get a 'closer-up' image of every individual raptor which passses. And off course when a juvenile harrier or a really interesting one might pass over some distance, I still think a good scope will fix the job more effectively. Later on in the season, when the peak really starts at the end of september onward, and more and more groups of pipits, finches, thrushes, larks,.. start to move, there is nothing really better, than a fixed high magnification binocular to observe and especially enjoy the phenomenon.
Ok, with this you have my take on the whole matter and I guess that this was the most of what I wanted to express here.
Hopefully you find these perspectives of any interest!
Greetings to you all !
TheBlackGrouse
Well-known member
Can't agree more. Since I'm counting raptors too, I've tried out the SLC 15x56 and it was fantastic. With two eyes the perceived magnification is about 1.5, dependent on the viewer, it's the binocular summation factor. My Leica Ultravid 10x42 mounted on a monopod becomes a 15x scope, at least.
After years of thinking and reading reviews here (help, still recovering
) my choice was to switch to 8x42 binos and the STC 17-40x56, both of them can be used with a monopod. But that's because I'm in different landscapes on a birding day, from thick forest to open meadows and lakes.If you have one instrument, nothing beats the SLC 15x56 for watching migrants, especially raptors at larger distances.
Hillclocks
Active member
I surely agree to the pluses of binos used on a good tripod. I have been amazed what my 12X50 Ultrivids can do for my birding experience when on a good tripod. I must admit that at age 76, hand holding heavier bins is less fun.
TheBlackGrouse
Well-known member
Forgot to mention the Ultravid 12x50.I surely agree to the pluses of binos used on a good tripod. I have been amazed what my 12X50 Ultrivids can do for my birding experience when on a good tripod. I must admit that at age 76, hand holding heavier bins is less fun.
These are also amazing binoculars, I've tested them as the one-binos option, it's a close race with the SLC 15x56 because handholding the 12 is possible for a short time (contrary to 15x). When Leica decides to produce a 15x50 Ultravid HD (or 56) I'm in trouble, first world problem of course
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normjackson
Well-known member
This maybe?
Binoculars
www.keele.ac.uk
.
hopster
Well-known member
Me too. I have adapted the handle on my walking pole by wrapping it with grippy rubber (an old bike inner tube) and it sits between the tubes of all my binoculars and produces a very stable platform. They sit on top safely with no other support, but typically I use hands on top and fingers 'trapped' underneath to stabilise further, and of course to focus. This gives great stability for the 12x and I can use it for a long time like this. It even benefits the 8x somewhat and produces a very relaxing view where I can move my eye around the FOV with small head movements to extract the best from the image. I usually also carry a lightweight folding stool which puts my head at the ideal height and this produces great flexibility about where I set up and how long I can observe for.
I can follow birds for a short while with the 12x handheld, but after a few minutes it becomes troublesome.
For astronomy I use a tripod with the 12x as I require this to get the focus just right and study detail.
