anyone using the Manfrotto 561 BHDV monopod?

Peter Riding · July 16th, 2011, 04:29 PM

I'm going to be a dissenting voice here.

For a long time I've used the Gitzo GM5561T Mountaineer monopod. Its far more expensive than the manfrotto and does not come with a head, but its very light, very chunky so easy to hold, and collapses very short so is easy to carry even on your belt. You can use it totally collapsed and steadied against your waist with good results.

Gitzo GM5561T Mountaineer Monopod - Carbon Fibre

I've been using it with a Manfrotto 701HDV video head. The head is great for what it is.

Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Mini Head - Fluid

Previously I'd used a smaller head, the manfrotto 234RC, but switched to the 701 in order to be able to use the same quick release plates on all my gear.

Manfrotto 234RC QR Monopod Tilt Head - Tilt Tops Accessories

However, who uses the head to pan and tilt rather than just rotating the monopod itself? Its no more stable to use a head on a monopod.

I'm sure many videographers don't realise that you can get an adapter that fixes direct to the monopod and allows you to use the normal standard 501Pl plate which many of us use as standard on all our gear. Its the Manfrotto 577:

Manfrotto 577 Sliding Plate Adaptor - Quick Releases Plates

Just screw that onto your monopod and you're good to go :-)

The Manfrotto video monopods have small retractable feet ..... but so what. They are not substantial enough to risk leaving a cam atop unattended. You might just as well use a normal monopod and for situations where you want a quick and stable platform without the bulk of a tripod just put a 701HDV on top of a normal lightstand. Lightstands also give you a LOT more height than tripods :-)

Pete

Harry Simpson · July 18th, 2011, 08:03 AM

Thanks,

That's what I figured cause when i opened it up i knew that wasn't right....may give this one another shot.

Harry Simpson · July 18th, 2011, 02:25 PM

Welp this has been a great thread!! I've ordered this monopod today - it'll be here Wed and I have a shoot Friday.

Question: Anyone attaching a small 7" monitor to this monopod is some fashion.....i'm gonna try it but wondered how anyone else's mileage varied doing this.....

Jeff Murray · July 20th, 2011, 11:08 AM

Only comment I'd make over that lovely light Gitzo monopod is the Manfrotto has the 3 feet. You can actually support the camera with a small light lens on it (not unattended). But it allows you to try out an HDR or long exposure. Even like this there will be some lateral movement (wind, mirror, lock-up, etc) but the 'align images' setting in most editing software will fix this.

However faced with lugging my 3.5kg tripod up a Scottish Mountain - I prefer the monopod anyday.

Guy Cochran · July 26th, 2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Simpson

Question: Anyone attaching a small 7" monitor to this monopod is some fashion.....i'm gonna try it but wondered how anyone else's mileage varied doing this.....

I use a Manfrotto Superclamp with an IKAN Israeli arm to attach my 7" monitor to the monopod.

These 561B HDV-1 monopods have been getting really popular. We can hardly keep them in stock. Stillmotion just produced a video worth watching

Federico Perale · July 26th, 2011, 05:20 PM

very nice video indeed

still...I am not convinced people should be invited to try the "static" method, of leaving the camera unattended on the monopod...

a small hint of wind and.....BLAAAAAM

Harry Simpson · July 26th, 2011, 09:31 PM

Ordered the Cinevate Simplis and articulating arm - after the shoot friday i decided i def needed the monitor for focus accuracy!

Greg Fiske · July 27th, 2011, 09:15 AM

I have both a photo monopod and a 561 BHDV. The normal photo monopods are not great with video. They stutter when you do a pan.

My solution to using a monitor on the monopod is to use a long adapter plate. The camera screws in the front of the adapter plate, and its long enough for a dp6 to screw in the back part of the adapter plate. I've tried putting the dp6 on the hot shoe, but it creates wobble. It basically places the monitor behind the lcd and gives you enough room to make changes with the buttons.

July 16th, 2011, 04:29 PM	#16
Peter Riding Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Reading Berkshire UK Posts: 872	Re: anyone using the Manfrotto 561 BHDV monopod? I'm going to be a dissenting voice here. For a long time I've used the Gitzo GM5561T Mountaineer monopod. Its far more expensive than the manfrotto and does not come with a head, but its very light, very chunky so easy to hold, and collapses very short so is easy to carry even on your belt. You can use it totally collapsed and steadied against your waist with good results. Gitzo GM5561T Mountaineer Monopod - Carbon Fibre I've been using it with a Manfrotto 701HDV video head. The head is great for what it is. Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Mini Head - Fluid Previously I'd used a smaller head, the manfrotto 234RC, but switched to the 701 in order to be able to use the same quick release plates on all my gear. Manfrotto 234RC QR Monopod Tilt Head - Tilt Tops Accessories However, who uses the head to pan and tilt rather than just rotating the monopod itself? Its no more stable to use a head on a monopod. I'm sure many videographers don't realise that you can get an adapter that fixes direct to the monopod and allows you to use the normal standard 501Pl plate which many of us use as standard on all our gear. Its the Manfrotto 577: Manfrotto 577 Sliding Plate Adaptor - Quick Releases Plates Just screw that onto your monopod and you're good to go :-) The Manfrotto video monopods have small retractable feet ..... but so what. They are not substantial enough to risk leaving a cam atop unattended. You might just as well use a normal monopod and for situations where you want a quick and stable platform without the bulk of a tripod just put a 701HDV on top of a normal lightstand. Lightstands also give you a LOT more height than tripods :-) Pete

July 18th, 2011, 08:03 AM	#17
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	Re: anyone using the Manfrotto 561 BHDV monopod? Thanks, That's what I figured cause when i opened it up i knew that wasn't right....may give this one another shot. __________________ 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

July 18th, 2011, 02:25 PM	#18
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	Re: anyone using the Manfrotto 561 BHDV monopod? Welp this has been a great thread!! I've ordered this monopod today - it'll be here Wed and I have a shoot Friday. Question: Anyone attaching a small 7" monitor to this monopod is some fashion.....i'm gonna try it but wondered how anyone else's mileage varied doing this..... __________________ 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

July 20th, 2011, 11:08 AM	#19
Jeff Murray Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom Posts: 176	Re: anyone using the Manfrotto 561 BHDV monopod? Only comment I'd make over that lovely light Gitzo monopod is the Manfrotto has the 3 feet. You can actually support the camera with a small light lens on it (not unattended). But it allows you to try out an HDR or long exposure. Even like this there will be some lateral movement (wind, mirror, lock-up, etc) but the 'align images' setting in most editing software will fix this. However faced with lugging my 3.5kg tripod up a Scottish Mountain - I prefer the monopod anyday.

July 26th, 2011, 05:20 PM	#21
Federico Perale Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London Posts: 410	Re: anyone using the Manfrotto 561 BHDV monopod? very nice video indeed still...I am not convinced people should be invited to try the "static" method, of leaving the camera unattended on the monopod... a small hint of wind and.....BLAAAAAM Last edited by Federico Perale; July 27th, 2011 at 09:21 AM.

July 26th, 2011, 09:31 PM	#22
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	Re: anyone using the Manfrotto 561 BHDV monopod? Ordered the Cinevate Simplis and articulating arm - after the shoot friday i decided i def needed the monitor for focus accuracy! __________________ 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

July 27th, 2011, 09:15 AM	#23
Greg Fiske Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Santa Ana, CA Posts: 499	Re: anyone using the Manfrotto 561 BHDV monopod? I have both a photo monopod and a 561 BHDV. The normal photo monopods are not great with video. They stutter when you do a pan. My solution to using a monitor on the monopod is to use a long adapter plate. The camera screws in the front of the adapter plate, and its long enough for a dp6 to screw in the back part of the adapter plate. I've tried putting the dp6 on the hot shoe, but it creates wobble. It basically places the monitor behind the lcd and gives you enough room to make changes with the buttons.