Monopod camouflage advice.

[mn shutterbug]

I have a Bogen monopod and the bugger is aluminum. Does anyone have any idea on how to camouflage something like this? Or, at least make it less inconspicuous? It's a 3 section pod.

[Frog]

They make camo duct tape but that might make it hard to slide the sections.
How about cutting the leg off an old pair of camo pants?

[jeffp]

assuming its just like in some woods or something, watching some show about sniper training i remember they said just something as simple as a piece of cardboard taped to it to cover the silver part is enough. i dont know how hidden you want to be, but that's a suggestion anyway

[mn shutterbug]

I don't believe the tape would work, considering the sliding in and out of the sections. I suppose a person could make a camouflaged sock long enough for the whole pod extended, and then just leave it extended while out and about.

[Loupey]

I used camo vinyl (you know, the left over pieces from my waterproof camera/lens cover) and taped each section of my 3-piece Bogen separately secured with black electrical tape. True you can't adjust the sections once taped, but it worked OK until I started shooting some school sports events.

Anything camouflaged has the opposite effect when used in the city. I peeled off the tape. I figure I'll get a black monopod eventually for the nature stuff.

[Jimmy B]

Try going to value village or second hand store and buy a pair of old camo pants. Cut them into strips and sew them together to be just shorter and large enough in diameter to fit over the extended pod and enough room to work the extension levers. Use wire ties to attach the cover at the top and bottom of the pod. Figure maybe an hour to cut and sew and maybe $5.00 for pants.
Sorry for the long explanation. Good Luck.
Jimmy B

[mjs1973]

Have you thought about painting it? Not sure if it would work, but it would be easier than having to deal with adding things too it.

[zrfraser]

I was going to mention painting as well, or if you have the money powder coating may be an option. Sandblasting would make it flat instead of shiny.

[mn shutterbug]

I was thinking about painting it a flat color, but I'm kind of thinking it would scape off pretty easy.

[another view]

I looked into powder coating a small amount of material for a work project (but a lot more than a monopod). From that conversation, it would be cheaper to buy any other monopod on the market. Loupey suggests a black one, and Bogen/Manfrotto do have them available.

Paint might work but won't last long. It'll get scraped off as the leg sections get folded up. If it didn't work, the 'pod would be garbage - but if it were me I think I'd try something like the appliance touch-up paint which sticks to anything and is very tough. Not sure what colors you'd find, but a good commercial paint supplier (not a big-box) can custom mix spray paint. Of course by the time you pay for this and sell the other one you might as well buy a new black one...

[mjs1973]

You could tie some long camo rags to the top of the pod. Kind of like Steven Tyler from Aerosmith does with his mic stand.