Short yet sturdy and thick MonoPod?

[jjwithers]

I'm looking for a SLR style monopod in terms of stability. However, i don't need it to extend too high, and I would prefer if it collapsed to about 13-15 inches.
Nothing like this exists... without the legs getting really skinny and weak.
Is there a hack or modification out there?
I need the monopod to fit in my camera bag (about 14 inches) and i actually use it to raise the camera over my head and shoot remotely. I am not putting a 400mm lens on it or anything like that.
Has anybody come across such a thing?

 

[kxl]

Gitzo GM2562T Series 2 Traveler Carbon Fiber Monopod

Folds to about 14 inches. Price is about $255 with the current rebate.
i'm sure there are other options.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Another vote for Gitzo. Under 35cm/14 inches. The bottom section is thin, but still very strong and well damped.

Cheers,

R.

 

[jjwithers]

Thanks gang. I did find that in my research but those last two sections of thin legs might not work.

Not to be too picky but I don't really like the twist style either. A lever works best.

The 'customizer' in me wants to find a way to take a large monopod and modify it somehow...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Thanks gang. I did find that in my research but those last two sections of thin legs might not work.

Not to be too picky but I don't really like the twist style either. A lever works best.

The 'customizer' in me wants to find a way to take a large monopod and modify it somehow...

Might not work for what? I've just tried the application you describe, and it's no worse than any other monopod: one hand on the bottom section, the other just above the last lock.

Why you say "a lever works best"? Either style works well if well made. I have both (and screw clamps on Benbo). Even my wife, who has small, weak hands find that the Gitzo works perfectly.

If you can figure how to modify a large monopod and make it collapse to 14 inches or less, still with quick set-up, I'm sure a manufacturer would buy the rights off you. Don't tell us how you did it until you've patented it!

Alternatively, if you're into customization, consider reversing the monopod, i.e. mounting the camera on the thin end.

Finally, remember that you don't have to extend it fully if you only want a short monopod.

Cheers,

R.

 

[sevo]

Thanks gang. I did find that in my research but those last two sections of thin legs might not work.

What for? As a lever? For its intended application, about the only things that matter are that it can carry the weight and folds and unfolds with ease. A Monopod essentially is one leg of a tripod whose two other legs are human - as such, it always will be the strongest part of the system.

Tamron once bundled a unusual 8-section monopod with its pro sports 400/4 teles (then their first entry into the serious pro market) which did not even attempt to be rigid (it only solidified under load), but could be collapsed (to 38cm/15") and extended (to 1,7m) with one hand...

 

[jjwithers]

So far, the best Monopod that I found is a Bogen 3249.
It collapses down to a halfway decent size (maybe 18") and the legs are still fat at the bottom.
The reason I need fat legs is because I actually use the monopod to raise the camera up over my head and shoot remotely with a pocket wizard. Thin lower legs are not sturdy enough and fat legs provide a better grip.
I also need the monopod to fit in a camera bag as I'm on the go while shooting events. So I need to take it out when needed, shoot, then throw it back into my bag.

I'm thinking of getting another one and taking it apart, then to a machinist friend to see what I can do to make it smaller to fit in my bag better. Perhaps I can cut a few inches off each section and put it back together...

 

[icebear]

What's the purpose of a tripod or mon pod for that matter?
To steady a heavy camera/lens combination that you can't hold steady yourself.
Goal is ultimate IQ.
If you want to have a pocket version for convenience and are not willing to strap a little bit larger but sturdy version on the outside of your bag, then my 2 cents: just forget about the idea of carrying a monopod altogether and ramp up the ISO and use noise reduction tools in post.🙄

 

[jjwithers]

You are completely missing the point. Ramping up the ISO has nothing to do with using a mono pod to raise a camera over my head into the air to shoot and then needing to break it down quickly and put it INTO a camera bag (not strapped to).

What's the purpose of a tripod or mon pod for that matter?
To steady a heavy camera/lens combination that you can't hold steady yourself.
Goal is ultimate IQ.
If you want to have a pocket version for convenience and are not willing to strap a little bit larger but sturdy version on the outside of your bag, then my 2 cents: just forget about the idea of carrying a monopod altogether and ramp up the ISO and use noise reduction tools in post.🙄

 

[sevo]

You are completely missing the point. Ramping up the ISO has nothing to do with using a mono pod to raise a camera over my head into the air to shoot and then needing to break it down quickly and put it INTO a camera bag (not strapped to).

A.k.a. "selfie stick".

 

[zuiko85]

So from your description you need this monopod to extend the camera over your head, right? Kind of like a 'selfie stick' but held over the head.
How high above your head does this need to be? Your grip will be with only one hand? If so then I think you would need a fairly fat custom grip to attach or clamp to the bottom of the pod. Even with that grip I think the set up would be hard to hold steady when held aloft.

 

[sevo]

You might want to look at cine camera rig equipment - there are many solutions for your problem out there that would be considerably superior to holding up a monopod...

 

[Santtu Määttänen]

How about this? I think it would be a rather nice piece 🙂

https://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=details&id=256&sprache=english

 

[wjlapier]

Manfrotto 680b is compact and stout. I think if you cut the sections down you might be able to get it to the collapsed length you desire. I have the 680b and have used it for over 10 years with various Nikon combos, most recently D700/200f2 w/ or w/o TC's. Plenty strong.

 

[sevo]

All monopods share being heavy side up - what is needed is something that can be held from the far end.