Manfrotto 680B Monopod (4-SCTN) - Replaces 680 (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)What a back saver!!!

Pros:

Small and light enough to carry anywhere
Makes for a really steady shot in questionable lighting situations
Takes the weight off your back and arms while still maintaining that ready to shoot stance

Cons:

Could be a couple of inches taller

I wanted totake photos at the Arizona Renaissance festival using my Canon 135mm F/2 and Canon 70-200 F2.8 L lens.They are both so heavy especially the 70-200 lens and I had hurt my back several years ago and it has never recovered.So I needed someway to get several thousand photos without killing myself.

What a God send this monopod was.I haver never owned one before and didn't realize how usefull it can be.A tripod is just way too clumbersome for something as dynamic and crowded as a Renaissance festival.You have to be able to move out of the way quickly and to move to get the shot.A monopod fits the fill perfectly.After shooting for over 9 hours my back and arms were almost as fresh as when I arrived.I simply could not have stayed more then an hour or two without it killing my back.

Don't forget you will probably want a ball head or some other head with a rapid connect release system.This is essential when you suddenly find you need to take your camera and / or lens off the monopod.I am using a Bogen-Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N) and found it works perfectly.

9-9-2008 Update:

My back has gotten much better recently so I'm not using this monopod as much for back support anymore.Where I am using it still is to get low light shots where I am on the edge of getting the shot if I were hand held with my image stabilized lens.I have found that I can get away with a several second long exposure using this monopod and my Canon 17-55 F/2.8 IS lens.It's much easier to carry and easier to move then a full on tripod so I find the combo really useful in places where people would frown on using a tripod like inside a museum.

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Product Description:
Four section Monopod featuring sure rubber grip, wrist carrying strap, quick action lever leg lock system with 45° run, large 60 mm camera/head platform with plastic cover and dual 1/4" - 3/8" camera fixing screw. This replaces the Bogen Manfrotto 680.

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