Question for monopod users?

Steve Burkett · June 14th, 2019, 02:54 AM

I really wish running 2 cameras would prevent people blocking them. But I have on occasion done so and had people working for me run 2 cameras. It still happens. Difference is, with 2, you're reliant totally on your main camera. I like having multiple backups. A photographer blocking a camera is a minor nuisance for me. Plus I can afford to experiment a bit more. :)

As for setup. I have 2 shoulder bags for tripods and a Manfrotto trolley bag for my gear. Works very well. Setup time is brief, I do 85 Weddings a year. So have plenty of practise to set up and dismantle on my own very quickly.

Pete Cofrancesco · June 14th, 2019, 05:48 AM

A tall tripod with a center column is what’s needed to get over peoples heads and prevent blocking. Anything over two tripods is difficult to transport and setup.

Steve Burkett · June 14th, 2019, 06:13 AM

I use a light stand that can go up very high. Issue is it's not as stable and I have sand bags for the base in dancefloor situations. However footage at eye level is preferred. I don't want all my cameras looking down from above. :)
I manage this and 3 tripods plus a monopod and have even walked half a mile carrying this equipment. But then again I do 18 mile walks every weekend, so count myself in good shape. Lol

Peter Riding · June 14th, 2019, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Cofrancesco

A tall tripod with a center column is what’s needed to get over peoples heads and prevent blocking. Anything over two tripods is difficult to transport and setup.

I never found a tripod that is tall enough to cover all eventualities. I tried clamping a long Manfrotto arm to the top but is was no more stable than a lightstand. The Cheetah self-collapsing big air-cushioned lightstands work great though I don't think you can buy them in the UK any more. For the dancefloor I put one right next to the DJ speaker stands and it blends in without being noticed whilst not getting blocked and doesn't get knocked about. They don't need sandbags or iron weights unless out on their own (in which case they spoil the photos). The Cheetahs can go very high but too high looks too "security" obviously. They are good at the back of big churches as well easily getting over the heads of standing guests.

I use Op-Tech tripod shoulder straps to transport the lightstands.

Pete Cofrancesco · June 14th, 2019, 10:06 AM

I use Manfrotto 028B max height is 89” plus your head. As long as it’s not a basketball wedding I don’t see how you could get blocked.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2855/KBID/3801

Peter Riding · June 14th, 2019, 11:34 AM

I got excited for a moment but ..... not quite high enough for me in some circumstances. I would find that as soon as the dancefloor fills up its going to get dominated by participants who are close to it; it wouldn't cope with a dance in which e.g. the couple are to be the subject in the middle and some of the guests are dancing in a circle around them - though I do also tend to stand on a chair holding another cam on a monopod for that. Likewise guests standing at the back of the church can dominate the composition e.g. during the recessional.

The Cheetah C12 is lighter, potentially much higher, and a lot less intrusive than the 028B though not as stable obviously, plus it doesn't collapse as short as the 028B so its less easy in a car:
https://www.cheetahstand.com/Cheetah...-C12-p/c12.htm

Bryan Worsley · July 19th, 2019, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Baker

When travelling my weapons of choice are a Gorillapod Focus and a Velbon Ultrastick 8 with a swivel head.

Hi Dave. What swivel head are you using on the Velbon Ultrastick 8, out of interest - presumably with a quick release plate ?

Dave Baker · July 19th, 2019, 07:24 AM

Hi Bryan

I use the Manfrotto 234RC swivel head, it takes the 200PL QR plate which I standardised on years ago and works just as happily with the X-T3 as it did with the old HF G30. I also have a 323RC adaptor on the Gorillapod (and all my other supports) for compatibility.

Bryan Worsley · July 19th, 2019, 11:22 AM

Thanks Dave. I'm considering a similar portable set-up for travel and events where a tripod or video monopod is not practical.

June 14th, 2019, 02:54 AM	#16
Steve Burkett Trustee Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Romsey, UK Posts: 1,261	Re: Question for monopod users? I really wish running 2 cameras would prevent people blocking them. But I have on occasion done so and had people working for me run 2 cameras. It still happens. Difference is, with 2, you're reliant totally on your main camera. I like having multiple backups. A photographer blocking a camera is a minor nuisance for me. Plus I can afford to experiment a bit more. :) As for setup. I have 2 shoulder bags for tripods and a Manfrotto trolley bag for my gear. Works very well. Setup time is brief, I do 85 Weddings a year. So have plenty of practise to set up and dismantle on my own very quickly.

June 14th, 2019, 05:48 AM	#17
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	Re: Question for monopod users? A tall tripod with a center column is what’s needed to get over peoples heads and prevent blocking. Anything over two tripods is difficult to transport and setup.

June 14th, 2019, 06:13 AM	#18
Steve Burkett Trustee Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Romsey, UK Posts: 1,261	Re: Question for monopod users? I use a light stand that can go up very high. Issue is it's not as stable and I have sand bags for the base in dancefloor situations. However footage at eye level is preferred. I don't want all my cameras looking down from above. :) I manage this and 3 tripods plus a monopod and have even walked half a mile carrying this equipment. But then again I do 18 mile walks every weekend, so count myself in good shape. Lol

June 14th, 2019, 10:06 AM	#20
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	Re: Question for monopod users? I use Manfrotto 028B max height is 89” plus your head. As long as it’s not a basketball wedding I don’t see how you could get blocked. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2855/KBID/3801

June 14th, 2019, 11:34 AM	#21
Peter Riding Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Reading Berkshire UK Posts: 872	Re: Question for monopod users? I got excited for a moment but ..... not quite high enough for me in some circumstances. I would find that as soon as the dancefloor fills up its going to get dominated by participants who are close to it; it wouldn't cope with a dance in which e.g. the couple are to be the subject in the middle and some of the guests are dancing in a circle around them - though I do also tend to stand on a chair holding another cam on a monopod for that. Likewise guests standing at the back of the church can dominate the composition e.g. during the recessional. The Cheetah C12 is lighter, potentially much higher, and a lot less intrusive than the 028B though not as stable obviously, plus it doesn't collapse as short as the 028B so its less easy in a car: https://www.cheetahstand.com/Cheetah...-C12-p/c12.htm

July 19th, 2019, 07:24 AM	#23
Dave Baker Major Player Join Date: May 2014 Location: Brandon, England Posts: 476	Re: Question for monopod users? Hi Bryan I use the Manfrotto 234RC swivel head, it takes the 200PL QR plate which I standardised on years ago and works just as happily with the X-T3 as it did with the old HF G30. I also have a 323RC adaptor on the Gorillapod (and all my other supports) for compatibility.

July 19th, 2019, 11:22 AM	#24
Bryan Worsley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 439	Re: Question for monopod users? Thanks Dave. I'm considering a similar portable set-up for travel and events where a tripod or video monopod is not practical.