recommend monopod for video purposes?

[tester99]

it's for my 550d. shooting a lot of video lately and thought i might be able to get a monopod to stabilize still footages and also do some flying shots (with a lot of DOF for sure).

what would be the most value for money monopod i can get? budget is around 50+/-. hopefully not too heavy, as i would love to bring it on overseas travel next time.

some of the monopods i'm looking at are :

http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-WT-100...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330052393&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-MP100-...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330052312&sr=1-1

both have really good reviews and are affordable!

P.S : i have a ballhead (from my fancier ft-6222a) and don't intend to use a video fluid head, for the sake of portability. just recommend the monopod would do.

thanks!

 

[Bamboopictures]

For under $50, you should source locally. Otherwise the shipping will not be worth it. Mustafa has a some cheap ones.

 

[tester99]

hi there,

do they have open samples for me to try the monopods? if not i won't know which is good and which isn't.

most importantly, i need it to be able to hold my dslr properly, without sagging when i do very low ground level moving shots and flying shots.

i also have free shipping from places like china/HK - anything to recommend from those 2 places?

OT : i was doing some research on videography and found 1 of ur informative posts on the uk forum.. haha.

 

[Bamboopictures]

For absolute rigidness, try the Manfrotto 685B. Apart from being bloody strong, it has a very unique height adjustment system that does not require tightening or loosening. Just pull to the desired length and it stays there. Press and hold just one single button to shorten. Release at desired length. Very fast and convenient when reframing.

 

[eleveninth]

[video=vimeo;26869155]https://vimeo.com/26869155[/video]

 

[tester99]

hi all,

the monopods recommended are really nice! the bad part is it's priced a little on the high side - considering that i'm currently only doing it for recreational purposes.

the video was really informative though - gonna try out those tricks with my tripod first!

on a side note : is there a monopod with a mini floor stand (like what is shown in the video), but within my budget? perhaps up my budget to 80++?

 

[Zackt87]

prolly this?

Manfrotto 559B-2 Digital Video Monopod w/ Quick Release 559B-1

 

[Bamboopictures]

You can buy a $50 lightstand with 1/4" -20 or 3/8" -16 thread and screw on your fluid head There is a cute (colorful) and short version of a lightstand-converted monopod (portrait/landscape head) for compact cameras selling at Challenger for $35

 

[hanqiang1011]

What if it is a video rig for 5dmk2 with follow focus; anymore things to add on to a monopod besides the $50 lightstand?

 

[Bamboopictures]

Yes, you have to add two legs to make it a tripod

 

[frozentomtom]

Yes, you have to add two legs to make it a tripod

Would a normal monopod be able to achieve the same video result as the Manfrotto 561??

p326

 

[SCULDER]

Would a normal monopod be able to achieve the same video result as the Manfrotto 561??

p326

Can. Serve the purpose. Like a car, BMW and bus. Both take u to destination. But the experience is different.