Rapid deployment monopod (Manfrotto Neotec)
Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 7:09 am
I use a monopod most of the time, more often than handheld. It let's me keep the ISOs low in the often dim light of Scotland. It makes life easier for the developing arthritis in my right hand. And I prefer carrying the camera by means of the big chunky grip of the monopod to having it dangling on any kind of strap. It also gives me rapid access to viewpoints not easy to get my eye behind, such as over the heads of crowds, off the side of a bridge, etc..
For really fast deployment I often use it collapsed without propping it on anything. The extra mass and the nicely spaced two handed grip still gives a good bonus in stability. But quickly grabbed opportunistic long shots in dim light are a problem. I want the stability of the pod foot on the ground, but the time it takes to click out all the telescopic sections often loses the moment. And I don't like walking around carrying it extended.
And I'm lazy. I keep seeing a possibly good opportunity & deciding it's not worth the bother of extending the monopod. Then ten minutes later kicking myself for not having bothered.
So when I discovered this new technology of Manfrotto's I was seriously intrigued. You simply yank the leg out & it stops solidly locked wherever you leave it. There's a trigger grip which let's you push it down again. Plus there's a little fold out foot you can stand on so you can yank it up exactly to eye height. Plus you no longer have to rotate the whole monopod to attach it to the camera if you use it without a head, as I usually do. There's an inset wheel for doing up the screw.
It's delightfully effective! How long will the probably more complicated mechanism last? There is an adjustment screw to take up trigger slack. How important is the slightly oily smear on the pulled out tubes? Only time will tell. Meanwhile I'm an instant enthusiastic convert to this new improved kind of monopod!
For really fast deployment I often use it collapsed without propping it on anything. The extra mass and the nicely spaced two handed grip still gives a good bonus in stability. But quickly grabbed opportunistic long shots in dim light are a problem. I want the stability of the pod foot on the ground, but the time it takes to click out all the telescopic sections often loses the moment. And I don't like walking around carrying it extended.
And I'm lazy. I keep seeing a possibly good opportunity & deciding it's not worth the bother of extending the monopod. Then ten minutes later kicking myself for not having bothered.
So when I discovered this new technology of Manfrotto's I was seriously intrigued. You simply yank the leg out & it stops solidly locked wherever you leave it. There's a trigger grip which let's you push it down again. Plus there's a little fold out foot you can stand on so you can yank it up exactly to eye height. Plus you no longer have to rotate the whole monopod to attach it to the camera if you use it without a head, as I usually do. There's an inset wheel for doing up the screw.
It's delightfully effective! How long will the probably more complicated mechanism last? There is an adjustment screw to take up trigger slack. How important is the slightly oily smear on the pulled out tubes? Only time will tell. Meanwhile I'm an instant enthusiastic convert to this new improved kind of monopod!