Sling monopod

[Endrick]

I'm intending to make myself a monopod and thought I'd run this idea past the experts as I don't at the moment use them.

What I intend to do is make a long walking stick with a blunt wooden spear at the foot. At the business end I was thinking of making a removable "U" shape lens support with 2 inch wide nylon webbing lens support which would run between the arms of the "U".

Does this seem feasible or is a sling support a bad idea?

Malcolm

[nigel_b]

A couple of things. I find I'm forever adjusting the length of the monopod depending on whether the ground in front rises or slopes away or whether I'm going for a target low down or high up. You're going to be very restricted with a single length pole.

Does your lens have a balance point in the right place so the tape won't foul anything that's moving as you or the AF focus the lens? I think having a deep U seems a good idea.

[John D]

[quote=nigel_b;705378]A couple of things. I find I'm forever adjusting the length of the monopod depending on whether the ground in front rises or slopes away or whether I'm going for a target low down or high up. You're going to be very restricted with a single length pole.

I would agree that a monopod that can't be varied in height would be very limited in use and in my opinion pretty useless.

John D

Zenfolio | John's Wild World

[Geoff F]

My first ever tripod was a discarded angler's rod rest which I adapted to fit a small metal plate which could be bolted to my camera in the usual manner.

For a really secure and stable fitting, I would prefer to bolt a small piece of metal angle, possible aluminum, to the top of your stick (bolt going through the diameter of the stick) with a suitable hole in the other side of the flange which could be used to bolt on the camera using the normal tripod fixing threaded hole. It is usually 1/4 inch American thread.

Possibly using a wing headed bolt would make attachment relatively easy, until you eventually drop the bolt!

As others have pointed out, you will lose the length adjustment option but if you make the stick an average comfortable length for general use, say standing or kneeling, it might work reasonably well in most circumstances.

[johnf3f]

Originally Posted by Endrick

I'm intending to make myself a monopod and thought I'd run this idea past the experts as I don't at the moment use them.

What I intend to do is make a long walking stick with a blunt wooden spear at the foot. At the business end I was thinking of making a removable "U" shape lens support with 2 inch wide nylon webbing lens support which would run between the arms of the "U".

Does this seem feasible or is a sling support a bad idea?

Malcolm

What you seem to be conteplating is a form of shooting stick (not the type you sit on), having made and used a few I think the idea is basically sound. The only real problem I see is that a Rifle is much more stable to use than a camera, simply bcause of the way you hold it and the rifle's better balance. I think it may not be the best way to go. A decent monopod is pretty cheap these days, even the basic Manfrotto 679 will happily support a pro body with any production Canon/Nikon lens ( for the Sigma 200-500 F2.8 you may need a Gitzo). A purpose built monopod will (I feel) give you a more stable result, nothing wrong with trying a bit of DIY though!

[Endrick]

Thanks for all the replies. Yes I did consider that an extendable monopod would be a good idea but I couldn't find one with a sling so have decided to make my own.

Why a sling? The answer is basically speed. I already have a tripod which I use with a big Nikon lens and that set up is fine for static photography.

However I like to wander about and for that my set up is a D90 and a Tokina 80-400. I wouldn't pretend that this takes pixel perfect photographs but I do get photographs I wouldn't otherwise have got.

The problem is that, in other than very good light, handholding at 400mm gives a lot of camera shake so I have to crank the ISO up and keep the aperture at 5.6 to get a high sutter speed. I have tried the same camera lens combo on a tripod and can get very good shots at lower ISO and more suitable apertures (the lens actually is surprisingly sharp from F8 and up).

So what I am looking at is a compromise: a walking stick with a sling seemed the quickest option for getting off a shot at a lower shutter speed while minimising shake.

I think I'll give it a go!

[John D]

[quote=Endrick;705803]T
So what I am looking at is a compromise: a walking stick with a sling seemed the quickest option for getting off a shot at a lower shutter speed while minimising shake.

Why not consider for example - A Manfrotto 679B monopod with a Manfrotto 234RC head with quick release plate. I use this combination all the time. Each of my cameras has a plate attached permanently which allows me to make 'quick changes' from tripod mounting, monopod mounting or hand held, depending on what the situation demands.
The Manfrotto 679B monopod can be varied in height from around 60cms to 156cms. This allows a great deal of flexibility when it comes to composing shots etc.

John D
http://johnswildworld.zenfolio.com/

[slimrbp]

I am not sure that a sling would be that stable as a lot of the stability from a monopod comes from the way the camera and monopod act as one and makes it easier to brace it. I could imagine that there would still be some opportunity for movement.

Another compromise might be one of these 'steadepod' devices? Not tried one myself I have to admit.

Intro 2020

[al69]

Is this any good or this pre made one ?

[nigel_b]

Originally Posted by al69

Is this any good or this pre made one ?

I suppose the only comment I'd have is that you usually get what you pay for.

I use my Manfrotto to support a Nikon with double battery pack, TC and 300mm f4 lens. It's quite weighty and I had to tighten up a couple of the clamp nuts to stop the thing collapsing back down with all the weight. I'd get something substantial.