Walking stick and monopod, all in one?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sun, 5 Jun 2005 21:38:45 -0500, in rec.photo.digital , "Tetractys"
<farga@palenga.jengis> in <gZGdnTE7cbzVKj7fRVn-og@comcast.com> wrote:

>Charlie Self wrote:
>
>> Lee Valley has the needed hardware,
>> including the tripod screw. www.leevalley.com
>
>http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32835&cat=1,250,43243
>
>Neat site. Thanks for the link.
>
I didn't see that when I first went to the site. Thanks for finding it
and showing it.


--
Matt Silberstein

All in all, if I could be any animal, I would want to be
a duck or a goose. They can fly, walk, and swim. Plus,
there there is a certain satisfaction knowing that at the
end of your life you will taste good with an orange sauce
or, in the case of a goose, a chestnut stuffing.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Terry <no@email.invalid> wrote:

: Yeah, while taking the shot you hold the camera. But I routinely carry
: the monopod with the camera still attched. Sometimes over my shoulder,
: sometimes with the monopod horizontal. So I sure hope it's securely
: attached!

: I never noticed this before, but I just checked my Slik Lighty Pod II,
: and you're right, it has a short bolt, about 2.5 turns. My tripod
: bolts are signicantly longer.

: It's never bothered me in use, seems quite secure.

Some cameras had a problem with a short depth of the tripod screw
receptacle on the camera. So many manufacturers made their mounting crew
short or had an adjusting threaded flange that will allow the short depth
to still firmly hold the camera (so it dosen't pivot on the screw). But I
personally wouldn't trust the weight of my camera to a single screw. Too
many pieces could fale and dump my camera on the ground. I would get a
"quick release" head that will screw into the tripod screw on the monopod
and then into the camera. This makes the attaching and removal of the
camera a momentary movement. You can still carry the pod fully extended
over your sholder, but the camera can hang securly around your neck where
it has much less chance of being dropped.

I just wish that someone would make a tripod and a monopod that uses the
same quick release head so that the same camera mounted plate could be
switched between the two "pods" at will. At this time I have one size
plate for my monopod, and a different one for my tripod. So I have to
unscrew and rescrew the plate every time I change support. At least my
hand will support the camera with either plate installed.

JMHO

Randy

==========
Randy Berbaum
Champaign, IL

 

[terry]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Matt Silberstein wrote:

>On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 00:27:09 GMT, in rec.photo.digital , Terry
>wrote:
>
>>Of course it is just a cost issue -- you can
>>add a ball head to your walking stick.
>
>If money were a concern could you suggest an inexpensive one for the
>amateur?

For monopod use, I think almost any inexpensive ball head would work
fine. You should be able to get one for under $20, depending on how
much weight you need to support. B&H lists 6 for under $20, including
a Giotto for $10.

I have used only the Slik that came with my monopod, so I don't have
any direct comparison information.

Terry

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 11:03:26 GMT, in rec.photo.digital , Terry
<no@email.invalid> in <pra8a1h4793a478pr35urf5pcq7rshk1j1@4ax.com>
wrote:

>Matt Silberstein wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 00:27:09 GMT, in rec.photo.digital , Terry
>>wrote:
>>
>>>Of course it is just a cost issue -- you can
>>>add a ball head to your walking stick.
>>
>>If money were a concern could you suggest an inexpensive one for the
>>amateur?
>
>For monopod use, I think almost any inexpensive ball head would work
>fine. You should be able to get one for under $20, depending on how
>much weight you need to support. B&H lists 6 for under $20, including
>a Giotto for $10.
>
>I have used only the Slik that came with my monopod, so I don't have
>any direct comparison information.

Thanks.


--
Matt Silberstein

All in all, if I could be any animal, I would want to be
a duck or a goose. They can fly, walk, and swim. Plus,
there there is a certain satisfaction knowing that at the
end of your life you will taste good with an orange sauce
or, in the case of a goose, a chestnut stuffing.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On 6/5/05 11:42 PM, in article d80k70$fk2$1@wildfire.prairienet.org, "Randy
Berbaum" <rberbaum@bluestem.prairienet.org> wrote:
>
Snip
> I just wish that someone would make a tripod and a monopod that uses the
> same quick release head so that the same camera mounted plate could be
> switched between the two "pods" at will. At this time I have one size
> plate for my monopod, and a different one for my tripod. So I have to
> unscrew and rescrew the plate every time I change support. At least my
> hand will support the camera with either plate installed.
>
> JMHO
>
> Randy
>
> ==========
> Randy Berbaum
> Champaign, IL
>
This company:
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/
makes the plates and clamps so that you can do exactly what your are talking
about. I put one of their quick release clamps on a very small head on my
monopod so that I don't have to remove the plate on my camera or lens every
time I switch from a tripod to a monopod. Their system is not cheap to buy
into but once you have it it offers a lot of flexibility. Fyi - I have no
connection with the company.
Chuck

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <BEC73A6D.8740%nobody@nowhere.com.re>,
nobody <nobody@nowhere.com.re> wrote:
>Has anybody thought of making a walking stick monopod? If so, where could I
>find and buy it?
>Nobody
>
When I was in Austria a few years ago, I bought a pair of ski/hiking
poles. It is "calibrated" and adjustable. I fit it on the top with
a 1/4-20 screw and covered it with a large flat plastic nut (as a safety
protection). It is excellent for the three purposes. It is sturdy and
strong. This is another solution in additional to the many others
suggested here.

Good luck!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sat, 4 Jun 2005 18:35:21 +0100, "News"
<Keith@nohtsystems.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Charlie Self" <charliediy@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:1117883364.844068.26210@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>
>> News wrote:
>>> "Roy" <royphoty@iona-guesthouse.co.uk> wrote in message
>>> news:LHfoe.5712$hT6.5326@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net...
>>> >
>>> > "nobody" <nobody@nowhere.com.re> wrote in message
>>> > news:BEC73A6D.8740%nobody@nowhere.com.re...
>>> >> Has anybody thought of making a walking stick monopod? If so, where
>>> >> could
>>> >> I
>>> >> find and buy it?
>>> >> Nobody
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> > Try your nearest Hillwalking / Mountaineering equipment shop.
>>> >
>>> > They do make Walking Poles, which can have a variety of Handles or
>>> > other
>>> > bits fitted, including a Camera Tripod Screw.
>>> > Most of them are also adjustable in length.
>>> >
>>> > Roy G
>>> Just what I went looking for yesterday (saw them in Milletts a few years
>>> back, they don't have them now). Need to keep looking...
>>
>> All you need to make your own is a wood lathe, a couple turning tools,
>> and some wood billets (I'm turning several of cherry). Lee Valley has
>> the needed hardware, including the tripod screw. www.leevalley.com
>
>To paraphrase Mrs Beeton - first catch your lathe...
>

First catch your local ski shop.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sat, 04 Jun 2005 22:23:16 GMT, Terry <no@email.invalid> wrote:


>Yeah, while taking the shot you hold the camera. But I routinely carry
>the monopod with the camera still attched. Sometimes over my shoulder,
>sometimes with the monopod horizontal. So I sure hope it's securely
>attached!
>
>I never noticed this before, but I just checked my Slik Lighty Pod II,
>and you're right, it has a short bolt, about 2.5 turns. My tripod
>bolts are signicantly longer.
>
>It's never bothered me in use, seems quite secure.

If in doubt, attach a lanyard to the stick with a snap on the
end of the cable to snag something on the camera.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 04:42:08 +0000 (UTC), Randy Berbaum
<rberbaum@bluestem.prairienet.org> wrote:


>I just wish that someone would make a tripod and a monopod that uses the
>same quick release head so that the same camera mounted plate could be
>switched between the two "pods" at will. At this time I have one size
>plate for my monopod, and a different one for my tripod. So I have to
>unscrew and rescrew the plate every time I change support. At least my
>hand will support the camera with either plate installed.
>
>JMHO
>
>Randy
>
>==========
>Randy Berbaum
>Champaign, IL

Shouldn't both use the same 1/4 - 20 screw as the camera?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Randy Berbaum <rberbaum@bluestem.prairienet.org> writes:

> I just wish that someone would make a tripod and a monopod that uses the
> same quick release head so that the same camera mounted plate could be
> switched between the two "pods" at will. At this time I have one size
> plate for my monopod, and a different one for my tripod. So I have to
> unscrew and rescrew the plate every time I change support. At least my
> hand will support the camera with either plate installed.

I use a separate mounting plate on top of the tripod and flash brackets (no
monopod currently). I use a Sima QuicKonnect I got from my local Microcenter
for ~ $8, and have multiple for each tripod/flash bracket and camera. I like
it in that it is small enough not to block the battery door on my C-2100UZ.

--
Michael Meissner
email: mrmnews@the-meissners.org
http://www.the-meissners.org

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Tue, 07 Jun 2005 23:30:54 +0000, kashe wrote:

> On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 04:42:08 +0000 (UTC), Randy Berbaum
> <rberbaum@bluestem.prairienet.org> wrote:
>
>
>>I just wish that someone would make a tripod and a monopod that uses the
>>same quick release head so that the same camera mounted plate could be
>>switched between the two "pods" at will. At this time I have one size
>>plate for my monopod, and a different one for my tripod. So I have to
>>unscrew and rescrew the plate every time I change support. At least my
>>hand will support the camera with either plate installed.
>>
>>JMHO
>>
>>Randy
>>
>>==========
>>Randy Berbaum
>>Champaign, IL
>
> Shouldn't both use the same 1/4 - 20 screw as the camera?
Not necessarily as 5/16 is also a standard.
--
neil
delete delete to reply

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 18:17:42 +0000 (UTC), ih@duck.ee.udel.edu (Charlie
Ih) wrote:

>In article <BEC73A6D.8740%nobody@nowhere.com.re>,
>nobody <nobody@nowhere.com.re> wrote:
>>Has anybody thought of making a walking stick monopod? If so, where could I
>>find and buy it?
>>Nobody
>>
>When I was in Austria a few years ago, I bought a pair of ski/hiking
>poles. It is "calibrated" and adjustable. I fit it on the top with
>a 1/4-20 screw and covered it with a large flat plastic nut (as a safety
>protection). It is excellent for the three purposes. It is sturdy and
>strong. This is another solution in additional to the many others
>suggested here.
>
>Good luck!
>
>

The suggested idea of converting a ski poles into monopods is
great! A good friend of mine has a pair of old ski poles he was going
to throw away, so I will gladly take them from him & convert them.

The down side is that the ski pole is a fixed length, yes I
can shorten it as needed when I convert it but it won't be collapsible
& extendable as many monopods are.

On the up side:

1> The cost is great, often free for the poles. If you don't know a
skier who is upgrading ask @ a local ski/sporting store, because they
may get skier come in with 1 pole to match up the to another set
because they damaged 1 pole. After they have matched it up with a new
set of their likely they will likely tell the store to toss out the
single pole which they may save for your use.

2> This poles are light weight & strong.

3> They already have a spike on the end, a handle on top & most also
have a lanyard.

There is 1 function I hope to do with a P&S with a converted
ski pole that might prove interesting & that is to take overhead
shots. Sure I can do this now with my Canon A95 thanks to it's swivel
1.8" LCD screen but I am limited to my arms length. Now with it on a
monopod, I could get at least an extra 2 feet.

Yes I would either need to 1st set the self 10 second timer or
possibly rig a mechanical remote shutter system. I'll try the self
timer 1st & if the added 2 or so feet prove of interest, I can
consider rigging 1 with some type of remote shutter system.

Group of crowd shots from 7 to 9 feet above ground level may
prove to be interesting & yes I know it will place the camera @ some
risk but @ times I think it may be worth it.

Thanks to everybody for all of the ideas, now I have something
else to try that may make for some interesting pictures. With all of
the very light & tiny cameras now available like the Canon SD400, I
would think we may be seeing more quality digital pictures being taken
from Radio Controlled model airplanes & helicopters.

Respectfully, DHB

..

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

DHB wrote:
> On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 18:17:42 +0000 (UTC), ih@duck.ee.udel.edu
> (Charlie
> Ih) wrote:
>
>> In article <BEC73A6D.8740%nobody@nowhere.com.re>,
>> nobody <nobody@nowhere.com.re> wrote:
>>> Has anybody thought of making a walking stick monopod? If so,
>>> where
>>> could I find and buy it?
>>> Nobody

<snip>

>
> Group of crowd shots from 7 to 9 feet above ground level may
> prove to be interesting & yes I know it will place the camera @ some
> risk but @ times I think it may be worth it.
>
> Thanks to everybody for all of the ideas, now I have something
> else to try that may make for some interesting pictures. With all
> of
> the very light & tiny cameras now available like the Canon SD400, I
> would think we may be seeing more quality digital pictures being
> taken
> from Radio Controlled model airplanes & helicopters.
>
> Respectfully, DHB
>

Twenty years or so ago I used a Canon A1 on a monopod to get "in
front" of the crowd. It had a mechanical shutter-release activated by
an air tube and bulb. Twenty-four mm lens and a small ball head. As
pointed out by someone, it took a fair amount of muscle, but two-hand
grip is possible, and if you keep it close to balance, disasters are
avoidable.

--
Frank ess

 

[Q]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

I've been using the ski pole idea for a few years now with a slightly
different twist. I had an old ball head C clamp type mini tripod that I
removed the ball and socket from and attached it to the top of the pole.
The only advantage is that it allows using the camera in portrait mode.

Q

DHB wrote:

>
> The suggested idea of converting a ski poles into monopods is
> great! A good friend of mine has a pair of old ski poles he was going
> to throw away, so I will gladly take them from him & convert them.
>
> The down side is that the ski pole is a fixed length, yes I
> can shorten it as needed when I convert it but it won't be collapsible
> & extendable as many monopods are.
>
> On the up side:
>
> 1> The cost is great, often free for the poles. If you don't know a
> skier who is upgrading ask @ a local ski/sporting store, because they
> may get skier come in with 1 pole to match up the to another set
> because they damaged 1 pole. After they have matched it up with a new
> set of their likely they will likely tell the store to toss out the
> single pole which they may save for your use.
>
> 2> This poles are light weight & strong.
>
> 3> They already have a spike on the end, a handle on top & most also
> have a lanyard.
>
> There is 1 function I hope to do with a P&S with a converted
> ski pole that might prove interesting & that is to take overhead
> shots. Sure I can do this now with my Canon A95 thanks to it's swivel
> 1.8" LCD screen but I am limited to my arms length. Now with it on a
> monopod, I could get at least an extra 2 feet.
>
> Yes I would either need to 1st set the self 10 second timer or
> possibly rig a mechanical remote shutter system. I'll try the self
> timer 1st & if the added 2 or so feet prove of interest, I can
> consider rigging 1 with some type of remote shutter system.
>
> Group of crowd shots from 7 to 9 feet above ground level may
> prove to be interesting & yes I know it will place the camera @ some
> risk but @ times I think it may be worth it.
>
> Thanks to everybody for all of the ideas, now I have something
> else to try that may make for some interesting pictures. With all of
> the very light & tiny cameras now available like the Canon SD400, I
> would think we may be seeing more quality digital pictures being taken
> from Radio Controlled model airplanes & helicopters.
>
> Respectfully, DHB
>
> .
>
> "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
> or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
> is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
> to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <srvda1p09rfmsg4u2enmb411f9vn05bkcq@4ax.com>,
DHB <yoda2k@verizon.net> wrote:
>On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 18:17:42 +0000 (UTC), ih@duck.ee.udel.edu (Charlie
>Ih) wrote:
>
>>In article <BEC73A6D.8740%nobody@nowhere.com.re>,
>>nobody <nobody@nowhere.com.re> wrote:
>>>Has anybody thought of making a walking stick monopod? If so, where could I
>>>find and buy it?
>>>Nobody
>>>
>>When I was in Austria a few years ago, I bought a pair of ski/hiking
>>poles. It is "calibrated" and adjustable. I fit it on the top with
>>a 1/4-20 screw and covered it with a large flat plastic nut (as a safety
>>protection). It is excellent for the three purposes. It is sturdy and
>>strong. This is another solution in additional to the many others
>>suggested here.
>>
>>Good luck!
>>
>>
>
> The suggested idea of converting a ski poles into monopods is
>great! A good friend of mine has a pair of old ski poles he was going
>to throw away, so I will gladly take them from him & convert them.
>
> The down side is that the ski pole is a fixed length, yes I
>can shorten it as needed when I convert it but it won't be collapsible
>& extendable as many monopods are.
>

The ski/hiking poles I have are collapsible and "calibrated" (you can set the
length in cm, three sections). They also have removable rubber tips.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Wed, 8 Jun 2005 20:09:43 +0000 (UTC), ih@duck.ee.udel.edu
(Charlie Ih) wrote:
>The ski/hiking poles I have are collapsible and "calibrated" (you can set the
>length in cm, three sections). They also have removable rubber tips.

Sound like Leki. The Leki Sierra Photo I have is exactly as
you describe, already has a camera screw (hence "Photo") and
is a really well made pole. Same pole is sold by Novoflex as
the BBSTOCK but is finished in bright blue... the Leki is a
more tasteful finish and is actually cheaper.

--
Regards

John Bean

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Actually my brand is KomperDell - antishock, made in Austria (I guess by
an Austrian compuany). It is well made and finished and looks very nice.

In article <mclea15cffs47kplmtpqnafuqdbqtfh87p@4ax.com>,
John Bean <waterfoot@gmail.com> wrote:
>On Wed, 8 Jun 2005 20:09:43 +0000 (UTC), ih@duck.ee.udel.edu
>(Charlie Ih) wrote:
>>The ski/hiking poles I have are collapsible and "calibrated" (you can set the
>>length in cm, three sections). They also have removable rubber tips.
>
>Sound like Leki. The Leki Sierra Photo I have is exactly as
>you describe, already has a camera screw (hence "Photo") and
>is a really well made pole. Same pole is sold by Novoflex as
>the BBSTOCK but is finished in bright blue... the Leki is a
>more tasteful finish and is actually cheaper.
>
>--
>Regards
>
>John Bean

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

kashe@sonic.net wrote:
: On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 04:42:08 +0000 (UTC), Randy Berbaum
: <rberbaum@bluestem.prairienet.org> wrote:


: >I just wish that someone would make a tripod and a monopod that uses the
: >same quick release head so that the same camera mounted plate could be
: >switched between the two "pods" at will. At this time I have one size
: >plate for my monopod, and a different one for my tripod. So I have to
: >unscrew and rescrew the plate every time I change support. At least my
: >hand will support the camera with either plate installed.

: Shouldn't both use the same 1/4 - 20 screw as the camera?

Yes, but I was talking about the plate that attaches to the camera with
the 1/4-20 screw and then attaches to the tripod/monopod. Each brand of
support seems to have a different plate dimension. So the plate for my
monopod is long and narrow while the plate for my tripod is nearly square.
So the quick release plate for the monopod won't fit on the tripod and
vise-versa. I guess I could get an add-on quick release that would screw
onto the camera screw of the built-in quick relase on the tripod and
monopod. But this would mean that on both supports I would have one quick
release stacked on another quick release. Not the most prefferable
situation, but I would gain the ability to quick change from one support
to another. Unfortunately most tripods and monopods (within my budget
range) seem to have built in quick release that can't be changed without
sawing the top off the tripod head.

I was only hopeing that there would be some standardization, even within a
single manufacturer, between different forms of camera support that would
allow one camera to share several supports, without having to stack quick
release systems.

Randy

==========
Randy Berbaum
Champaign, IL

 

[terry]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Randy Berbaum wrote:

>kashe@sonic.net wrote:
>: On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 04:42:08 +0000 (UTC), Randy Berbaum
>: <rberbaum@bluestem.prairienet.org> wrote:
>
>
>: >I just wish that someone would make a tripod and a monopod that uses the
>: >same quick release head so that the same camera mounted plate could be
>: >switched between the two "pods" at will. At this time I have one size
>: >plate for my monopod, and a different one for my tripod. So I have to
>: >unscrew and rescrew the plate every time I change support. At least my
>: >hand will support the camera with either plate installed.
>
>: Shouldn't both use the same 1/4 - 20 screw as the camera?
>
>Yes, but I was talking about the plate that attaches to the camera with
>the 1/4-20 screw and then attaches to the tripod/monopod. Each brand of
>support seems to have a different plate dimension. So the plate for my
>monopod is long and narrow while the plate for my tripod is nearly square.
>So the quick release plate for the monopod won't fit on the tripod and
>vise-versa. I guess I could get an add-on quick release that would screw
>onto the camera screw of the built-in quick relase on the tripod and
>monopod. But this would mean that on both supports I would have one quick
>release stacked on another quick release. Not the most prefferable
>situation, but I would gain the ability to quick change from one support
>to another. Unfortunately most tripods and monopods (within my budget
>range) seem to have built in quick release that can't be changed without
>sawing the top off the tripod head.
>
>I was only hopeing that there would be some standardization, even within a
>single manufacturer, between different forms of camera support that would
>allow one camera to share several supports, without having to stack quick
>release systems.

There *is* a standard -- it's the machine screw.

I don't know of any monopod or tripod that has a *non-removeable*
quick release plate. Usually they don't come with quick-release plates
at all, you have to add that. What brand/model are you talking about?

Terry

 

[Guest]

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Terry <no@email.invalid> wrote:

: There *is* a standard -- it's the machine screw.

: I don't know of any monopod or tripod that has a *non-removeable*
: quick release plate. Usually they don't come with quick-release plates
: at all, you have to add that. What brand/model are you talking about?

My newest monopod is a Slik E-Z pod jr. that I purchased from B&H. The
Quick Release is built right into the top of the pod. I suspect that I
could figure a way to break the whole head off the pole, but then I would
have a hollow tube to mount a new head to. I don't have my tripod infront
of me so I can't give a make and model, but the same thing is true on it.
the QR is built right into the pan/tilt head. I have found that unless you
go to a professional grade support (with proffesional grade price) most
inexpensive supports tend to have the QR built right into the head
assembly. I tend to go with the less expensive (but still very useable)
supports as the vast majority of my shooting is hand held and thus
spending grocery (or rent) money to get a larger, heavier support, that I
would use even less as I don't want to lug the thing around all day, isn't
practicle.

I have both a monopod and a tripod so I only have to carry the least I
have to. If I am going out with the intention of taking lots of low light
or panorama photos I'll lug the tripod. If I just want a little steading
support for probable long tele shots I carry the monopod. And many days I
am looking for more spur-of-the-moment shots, where quick reaction time is
more important than fussing with a support system. There have been times
around home that I would like to shoot a tripod shot, then want to unclip
the camera to shoot people in the shade (which would benfit from the
monopod). But the time it takes to remove one QR plate and install another
one is the time it takes the camera shy subjects to realize I am about to
turn around and make themselves scarce. The same QR fitting on both
supports would allow a quicker response time to changing conditions.

I guess I'll just have to go with stacked QR systems to get what I want
(at a price I am willing to pay).

Randy

==========
Randy Berbaum
Champaign, IL

 

[terry]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Randy Berbaum wrote:

>Terry <no@email.invalid> wrote:
>
>: There *is* a standard -- it's the machine screw.
>
>: I don't know of any monopod or tripod that has a *non-removeable*
>: quick release plate. Usually they don't come with quick-release plates
>: at all, you have to add that. What brand/model are you talking about?
>
>My newest monopod is a Slik E-Z pod jr. that I purchased from B&H. The
>Quick Release is built right into the top of the pod. I suspect that I
>could figure a way to break the whole head off the pole, but then I would
>have a hollow tube to mount a new head to. I don't have my tripod infront
>of me so I can't give a make and model, but the same thing is true on it.
>the QR is built right into the pan/tilt head. I have found that unless you
>go to a professional grade support (with proffesional grade price) most
>inexpensive supports tend to have the QR built right into the head
>assembly. I tend to go with the less expensive (but still very useable)
>supports as the vast majority of my shooting is hand held and thus
>spending grocery (or rent) money to get a larger, heavier support, that I
>would use even less as I don't want to lug the thing around all day, isn't
>practicle.
>
>I have both a monopod and a tripod so I only have to carry the least I
>have to. If I am going out with the intention of taking lots of low light
>or panorama photos I'll lug the tripod. If I just want a little steading
>support for probable long tele shots I carry the monopod. And many days I
>am looking for more spur-of-the-moment shots, where quick reaction time is
>more important than fussing with a support system. There have been times
>around home that I would like to shoot a tripod shot, then want to unclip
>the camera to shoot people in the shade (which would benfit from the
>monopod). But the time it takes to remove one QR plate and install another
>one is the time it takes the camera shy subjects to realize I am about to
>turn around and make themselves scarce. The same QR fitting on both
>supports would allow a quicker response time to changing conditions.
>
>I guess I'll just have to go with stacked QR systems to get what I want
>(at a price I am willing to pay).
>

Interesting, I haven't seen monopods or tripods with these built in
like that. I agree with you that these are foolish, exactly because
they make it difficult to change cameras or supports. You want the
same system to be used throughout your kit.

However, you do not have to "go to professional grade support (with
professional grade prices)" to get this.

You can purchase monopods and tripods for similar money without
built-in quick release fittings. Your e-z pod jr is about $40. The
Slik lighty pod with ball head is $50, and the Slik Monopod 350 is
$30, and neither has a QR plate. There are many other examples, just
start searching B&H.

Of course, now that you already own the equipment, it probably is
easiest to just use a stacked QR system. Note that if you get the QR
accessory to match one of your system, then you'll only have to stack
on one of the tripod or monopod, not both.

Terry