Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs Tamron SP Autofocus 90mm f/2.8 DI Macro Lens

[yehosaphat]

Yup... tat's why asked if monopods are useful in this case and is it worth it to get it?

 

[hwchoy]

yes. . . .

 

[yehosaphat]

Thanks hwchoy, any model you using and recommending? and more imptly... price? :bigeyes:

 

[yehosaphat]

Any advise on the monopod anyone? :think:

 

[Denosha]

Using the 1st gen Manfrotto Neotec tripod. Fantastic thing about it is you can just pull the leg out to extend them without having to use any locking levers or knobs. To retract just pull a "trigger" and push in the leg. This makes it super fast to use. The downside? It's expensive (can almost buy a CF one i think), heavy (at least the 1st gen one is) and it doesn't go down very low (which also makes it harder to carry around).

 

[yehosaphat]

THanks for the advise. But dun think you can find that in stores now ya...

From the manfrotto website, the closest one I guess would be 679B and 676B. Any comments on these?

Also, Anyone knows how much are these?

 

[Denosha]

Yeah, those are the newer version i guess. With CP now as the sole agent for Manfrotto, they won't be cheap for sure. Mine was like $160 IIRC.

 

[yehosaphat]

I believe TK Foto also sells them right? cos I bought my manfrotto tripod from them :dunno:

 

[yehosaphat]

Hi all,

Just got a quote for Manfrotto monopod:

1) 676B - $55
2) 680B - $90

Think its a good deal? What will be a suitable one for a 350D with 100mm macro lens?

 

[ST_sg]

Hi all,

Just got a quote for Manfrotto monopod:

1) 676B - $55
2) 680B - $90

Think its a good deal? What will be a suitable one for a 350D with 100mm macro lens?

I have a slik pro pod 600. At once, it quite popular also...
can't comment much since I seldom bring it out to field. ;p

FYI.
http://www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/slik-13.html

EDIT: don't forget, you'll need a ballhead also...

 

[yehosaphat]

I have a slik pro pod 600. At once, it quite popular also...
can't comment much since I seldom bring it out to field. ;p

FYI.
http://www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/slik-13.html

EDIT: don't forget, you'll need a ballhead also...

Ok.... but I checked with the guy if I actually need a ball head and he said not really necessary as long as I am fine with the fixed plane. I was thinking since it is a monopod and it is mobile, I should be able to live without the ballhead. What do you guys think?

 

[yehosaphat]

Called up CP, they actually recommended against using Monopods for macro... might create unsharp image as compared to shooting handheld instead.... true?

 

[hwchoy]

Using the 1st gen Manfrotto Neotec tripod. Fantastic thing about it is you can just pull the leg out to extend them without having to use any locking levers or knobs. To retract just pull a "trigger" and push in the leg. This makes it super fast to use. The downside? It's expensive (can almost buy a CF one i think), heavy (at least the 1st gen one is) and it doesn't go down very low (which also makes it harder to carry around).

for macro applications, the problem with a tripod is not how fast you can deploy it, but how close it allows you to get to the subject. the three spreading legs tend to be a problem.

 

[hwchoy]

Ok.... but I checked with the guy if I actually need a ball head and he said not really necessary as long as I am fine with the fixed plane. I was thinking since it is a monopod and it is mobile, I should be able to live without the ballhead. What do you guys think?

you can share the ballhead with the tripod if you don't mind the trouble. but I use a monopod more as a support and to eliminate up/down movement when framing. you should go and try it and see how much you really need the ball head, if you really need it then get another one loh.

 

[hwchoy]

Called up CP, they actually recommended against using Monopods for macro... might create unsharp image as compared to shooting handheld instead.... true?

how can a monopod fare worst compared to handheld? :think:

 

[yehosaphat]

Thanks hwchoy for the advises, when you use monopod, do you usually shoot without flash since u get more stability?

Also, do you use Av mode and let te cam decide the shutter when using monopod?

Thanks in advance

 

[hwchoy]

I would say I prefer to use available light, but remember that your flash acts as a fill even in available light situation (e.g. back lit subjects). What mode to use and whether to flash is really dependent on your subject, what you want to capture, etc rather than whether you have a monopod or not. At best it allows you a wider option to choose from.

 

[Denosha]

how can a monopod fare worst compared to handheld? :think:

Yeah, that sounds really weird to me. With proper monopod technique, one should be able to get about a 3 stops improvement. Anyway, I think a ballhead will make it easier to compose your shot. It's rather restrictive without one.

 

[yehosaphat]

yeah agree... but just to find out using a monopod, do you use Av mode?

 

[Denosha]

Even with a monopod i still stick to manual mode so I can set the shutterspeed to my flash sync speed (1/250s) and the aperture to what I want. I let my flashes sort out the exposure and use FEC to adjust accordingly. If positioned and diffused correctly, flash light can look pretty natural as well.