Monopod - quick release attachment

[WesternGuy]

Mods, not sure if this belongs here, if not, feel free to move it, but I am looking for a bit of help in a way.

I was lucky enough to receive a Gitzo GM2541 Monopod for Christmas and I am wondering if there is anything like a quick release mechansism that one could buy that isn't a ball head or other kind of tripod mount. What I envisage, was something that screwed onto the top of the Monopod and something else that screwed into the bottom of my camera or telephoto lens and that these two "things', whatever they look like, could then fit together and lock together with a clamp of some sort. To release the camera/lens from the monopod, I would simply flip the clamp and the camera would slide out of the unit on the top of the monopod for handheld photography and then slide back into the monopod unit and clamp down for photography on the monopod. This thing, whatever it looks like would not move like a ball head, but simply be a relatively benign quick release unit so that I could get the camera on and off the monopod quickly if I needed to do that. Anyone ever seen anything like this, or have any ideas. Thoughts, Thanks.

Regards,

WesternGuy

[mjs1973]

I think there are a few options that would work for you. Do you currently have a quick release system for your tripod? If so, you may be able to find something that will use your current quick release plates. I have a Manfrotto 234RC Swivel/Tilt head on my monopod. I will tilt forward and backwards but it doesn't give you the full movement like a ball head would and if you don't want it to move at all, just tighten it down and leave it. For less than $40 it's a pretty good piece of equipment that should fit your needs.

If that's too much, you could simply by the clamp with the plate like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-323-...3714855&sr=1-6

[WesternGuy]

Mike, thaks for your quick response. I do have a quick release plate (if that what it is called) for my current Manfrotto ballhead, a 468MGRC0. I will definitely go and look at the 234RX head and see if that will solve my situation. I will also look at the Manfrotto 323 that you gave me a link to.

Regards,

WesternGuy

[ksbryan0]

WG - If you get one of these, let us know how it works for you. I would like to do the same thing!

[OldClicker]

Mike, thaks for your quick response. I do have a quick release plate (if that what it is called) for my current Manfrotto ballhead, a 468MGRC0. I will definitely go and look at the 234RX head and see if that will solve my situation. I will also look at the Manfrotto 323 that you gave me a link to.

Regards,

WesternGuy

If your head takes an RC0 plate, then you want this clamp.

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/837..._Plate_Adapter

Terry

[WesternGuy]

Terry, that looks like it might be the answer, because it looks exactly like what I have on my Manfrotto ball head. It would be great because it would mean the QR plate is interchangeable from the monopod to the tripod. Thanks for the info - now I just have to see if any of my local camera stores have it in their myriad of gadgets.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[WesternGuy]

WG - If you get one of these, let us know how it works for you. I would like to do the same thing!

Ken, I will definitely let you know what I end up with, a lot depends on whether I can get it locally, or have to bring it in from the States, although with the $C being so close in parity with the $US these days, that may not make a difference. Need to make a trip to my local camera store(s) and see what they have.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[gryphonslair99]

The one question I would ask, what are you planning to put on the monopod in the way of gear? I used to use the Manfrotto QR system until I started acquiring long glass. At that point I switched to the Arca-Swiss system. I wouldn't trust big glass to anything other than Arca-swiss, otherwise the Manfrotto system should be just fine.

[WesternGuy]

The one question I would ask, what are you planning to put on the monopod in the way of gear? I used to use the Manfrotto QR system until I started acquiring long glass. At that point I switched to the Arca-Swiss system. I wouldn't trust big glass to anything other than Arca-swiss, otherwise the Manfrotto system should be just fine.

Right now, the biggest thing I have is the "push-pull" 100-400 mm IS L, but I am keeping my eye on a 600mm, there is supposed to be a new one out later this year - notice I said "supposed to be" - what Canon says and what Canon does - often two different things. I am not sure what I will get to put on the monopod with a 600mm lens (or longer), I must admit, I haven't given it much thought yet, because the long glass is a little ways off. But I have been looking at some of the "Right Stuff" equipment, but not seriously yet, any suggestions, because I do know that people use this Gitzo monopod with long glass, I just don't know what they put on the monopod to secure the glass.

If I go to the 600 or even longer...I plan on also acquiring a Wimberley head and a new tripod to accommodate it and the longer lens, probably a Gitzo GT3530ls, or its equivalent at the time. I believe that the Wimberley Head is built around the Arca-Swiss model with the appropriate QR plates. So I have thought about it and have an idea of what I am in for from a tripod perspective. Thanks for reminding me, it is appreciated. My bigggest problem is going to be getting all my gear back and forth across the US-Canada border, what with the TSA inspections and load limits for carry-ons and all that stuff...I might do what some people do and that is ship it prepaid to my hotel, in an appropriate re-inforced container, using something like AMEX or UPS, but I haven't looked into this aspect of it yet.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[gryphonslair99]

I shoot sports and my 400mm f2.8 is always on a monopod or tripod. I use this QR clamp from Wimbereley on my monopod and have never had an issue. It has since been replaced with this clamp. I went with this for my foot from Kirk. I like how it lowers the lens when on my Wimberley head II whether it is on my tripod or on my monopod when shooting an air show.

As for getting gear around, Big Brown is cheap, they fly their own planes and every hotel I have ever stayed at will gladly accept a UPS delivery for me prior to my arrival. I have had gear get there far more reliably than my luggage. Plus these days it is as cheap as the outrageous baggage charges airlines want to charge.

[SmartWombat]

I use the same plate on my manfrotto ball head, manfrotto pan/tilt head, and manfrotto monopod.

For prime lenses, I can get the Canon 300/2.8 through carry-on in the backpack.
But I think that's the limit.

Longer lenses I would rent in the USA, if they would deliver to a hotel rather than a private address. In fact if they'd do that I wouldn't even bother taking the 300, I'd rent.

[WesternGuy]

gryphonslair99 and Paul, thanks for the information and insight. I will definitely check this stuff out. I have stashed both replies away for future reference and I will be checking my camera store next week - once this stupid snow goes away - visibility less than 1 km and the thermometer headed for -20° C over night - ugleee...but then that's Western Canada in January and sometimes February - we are not out of it yet - winter that is!

gryphonslair99, thanks for the insight on UPS - it's nice to know they will deliver to a hotel.

Right now, I have a Lowe Rolling Computrekker AW and a ThinkTank Urban Disguise 70 Pro V2.0 and they can take all my camera gear appropriately distributed between them to meet carry-on weight requirements, with the exception of my tripod, which I stash in a bag with some clothes and seal with a TSA lock. So far, no problems, although on my return from Florida last November, the TSA folks did open the bag with the tripod in it, but they didn't make too much of a mess of things and actually got it locked backup in a reasonable fashion...but if I do get the 600 mm and the extra tripod gear, then how I get that out of Canada and back in, on an airplane, becomes the question and maybe for a trip to the States, UPS is the answer, anyway, don't want to get too far ahead of myself.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[SmartWombat]

Travelling with Angie, we use both weight allowances for carry-on to bring my gear.
Otherwise it wouldn't be possible.

I did manage a flight on Easy Jet to Spain for F1 testing, with the big lenses and laptop in my roll-on bag, and the bodies in my photo vest (big pockets) along with small lenses and flashes.
Both of us on the trip did the same thing, it was obvious we were photographers

[WesternGuy]

Travelling with Angie, we use both weight allowances for carry-on to bring my gear.
Otherwise it wouldn't be possible.

I did manage a flight on Easy Jet to Spain for F1 testing, with the big lenses and laptop in my roll-on bag, and the bodies in my photo vest (big pockets) along with small lenses and flashes.
Both of us on the trip did the same thing, it was obvious we were photographers

Only thing is, my wife likes to take her laptop and a large handbag on board with her, and she usually takes a book and/or a magazine for me to read so I don't have it on my "carry-on" allowance.

I have thought of the photo vest though, but I am not sure how the airlines folks would look at that - they might consider it part of the "carrry-on", but you never know. I will have to ask some of my buddies if, and how they have fared with one.

Cheers,

WesternGuy