Bogen / Manfrotto 560B Fluid Video Monopod - what do you think?

Meryem Ersoz · November 6th, 2006, 05:33 PM

i'll have some footage online in a few days which i shot with this...with my canon HV10, it is the absolute best accessory out there for this cam. you get mad smooth pans, and tripod-still footage when you let the camera rest on it stand-alone. it's fantastic for light cameras. i can't say enough good things about it for portability. i hiked all over the desert with this monopod and had no regrets leaving even my lightest tripod behind. it takes a little practice to get super smooth, but it is light years better than my old regular monopod, and the legs are a much more stable platform than those wiry kind.

now, i also have an FX-1, which i used to shoot a friend's wedding, and it was great, but it is more limited than with the HV10. i would be reluctant to let the camera stand alone for tripod-like stillness, because it can't completely bear the extra weight. also, the extra weight settles the camera into the legs in such a way that the pans have considerably less range of motion than with the HV10 because there is a sticking point where the weight of the camera "catches" the fluid ball joint. so you can still do smooth pans and tilts, but within a limited range. it was great for the wedding, though, because i was very mobile, and i could get great overhead shots standing on a chair that i could not have gotten easily with a tripod....

i only hope they make a beefier version of this monopod which works a little better with the FX-1 and with my heavier cameras. i would buy one in a heartbeat!

John C. Chu · September 4th, 2010, 10:16 AM

I know this thread is old, but I have been thrilled with the Manfrotto Video Monopod 560B-1 on the Rebel T2i. With the Tamron 17-50, it is bit front heavy but it can actually stand by itself if needed.

Harry Simpson · November 4th, 2010, 05:54 PM

I've got a Manfrotto tripod and the 701HDV and was looking for a heavy duty monopod and was disappointed when I unpacked the 560 today. It is really for flip cams and light dslr. My 5dMK2 w/battery grip is too much for it and the quick release is a very small adaptor.

Packing it up and returning to B&H tomorrow.
My search continues.......

Roger Shealy · November 4th, 2010, 06:20 PM

John, I wouldn't trust that monopod to stand by itself! I have both the 560 and the 561 (heavier duty with fluid tilt). I love them both, but the 561 is a little heavy and not needed for the DSLR's I now use.

What I've really enjoyed lately is the 560 you have and replaced the head with a inexpensive Velbon PH368 head. I lock the pan knob on the tripod (pan using the monopod) and use the tilt of the Velbon. Silky smooth. You could use another head of your choice, but the results are great and the head was only about $30. Here's what it looks like: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...rtability.html

September 4th, 2010, 10:16 AM	#17
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	I know this thread is old, but I have been thrilled with the Manfrotto Video Monopod 560B-1 on the Rebel T2i. With the Tamron 17-50, it is bit front heavy but it can actually stand by itself if needed. Attached Thumbnails

November 4th, 2010, 05:54 PM	#18
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	I've got a Manfrotto tripod and the 701HDV and was looking for a heavy duty monopod and was disappointed when I unpacked the 560 today. It is really for flip cams and light dslr. My 5dMK2 w/battery grip is too much for it and the quick release is a very small adaptor. Packing it up and returning to B&H tomorrow. My search continues....... __________________ Nashville TN using Canon 5D MK3, Canon 550D, RODE SVM mic, 70-200 f2.8L II IS, 24-105 f4L IS, 50 and 85 f/1.8, Vegas Pro 11, Zoom H4n, Blackbird, Lilliput Monitor, Lightroom

November 6th, 2006, 05:33 PM	#16
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	i'll have some footage online in a few days which i shot with this...with my canon HV10, it is the absolute best accessory out there for this cam. you get mad smooth pans, and tripod-still footage when you let the camera rest on it stand-alone. it's fantastic for light cameras. i can't say enough good things about it for portability. i hiked all over the desert with this monopod and had no regrets leaving even my lightest tripod behind. it takes a little practice to get super smooth, but it is light years better than my old regular monopod, and the legs are a much more stable platform than those wiry kind. now, i also have an FX-1, which i used to shoot a friend's wedding, and it was great, but it is more limited than with the HV10. i would be reluctant to let the camera stand alone for tripod-like stillness, because it can't completely bear the extra weight. also, the extra weight settles the camera into the legs in such a way that the pans have considerably less range of motion than with the HV10 because there is a sticking point where the weight of the camera "catches" the fluid ball joint. so you can still do smooth pans and tilts, but within a limited range. it was great for the wedding, though, because i was very mobile, and i could get great overhead shots standing on a chair that i could not have gotten easily with a tripod.... i only hope they make a beefier version of this monopod which works a little better with the FX-1 and with my heavier cameras. i would buy one in a heartbeat!

November 4th, 2010, 06:20 PM	#19
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	John, I wouldn't trust that monopod to stand by itself! I have both the 560 and the 561 (heavier duty with fluid tilt). I love them both, but the 561 is a little heavy and not needed for the DSLR's I now use. What I've really enjoyed lately is the 560 you have and replaced the head with a inexpensive Velbon PH368 head. I lock the pan knob on the tripod (pan using the monopod) and use the tilt of the Velbon. Silky smooth. You could use another head of your choice, but the results are great and the head was only about $30. Here's what it looks like: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...rtability.html