Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

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Archive 2010 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

J4644
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p.1 #1 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Hi again,

Have had a Canon 300 2.8 for high school field sports and have used the Manfrotto 680B monopod. I am looking to buy a Canon 400 2.8 and I know it is twice as heavy. Will I need a heavier duty monopod or anything else I should know with the 400? I do like to carry it over my shoulder.

Thanks,

Jim

Edited on Feb 07, 2010 at 06:25 PM · View previous versions

Feb 07, 2010 at 06:21 PM

Nill Toulme
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p.1 #2 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

It might be marginal, but try it and see. You're not going to break it on the first outing.

FWIW, I have written moderately extensively about monopod use with the 400 f/2.8 here.

Nill

Feb 07, 2010 at 06:25 PM

J4644
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p.1 #3 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Hi Nill,

Thank you, I will look at the link.

Jim

Feb 07, 2010 at 06:26 PM

jhom
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p.1 #4 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

I've been using a Gitzo 5 series for the last 2 HS football seasons. I absolutely love it. I fits my hand nicely, and I have no second thoughts about stability of the monopod with my 1D2 and 400. I had the 680B before with my 300. It did a good job with it. But, I feel the Gitzo 5 does a better job.

Jim

Feb 08, 2010 at 03:47 AM

dolina
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p.1 #5 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

jhom which Gitzo 5? GM5561T or GM5541?

Feb 08, 2010 at 04:11 AM

PierreB
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p.1 #6 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

I'm using a Gitzo G1588 carbon monopod with my 400/2.8 and it's a great combination & is fine for carrying over the shoulder.

Feb 08, 2010 at 09:42 AM

Derek
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p.1 #7 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

I've only ever used the 680B's, never a problem, mine gets carried for miles, through fences, rough terrain, bad weather

The only thing I do different is remove the 234RC head I use on smaller lenses and screw 690B straight into the 400 foot

Feb 08, 2010 at 10:49 AM

Ari Versiani
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p.1 #8 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

I also use the Manfrotto 680 with a 400mm 2.8 and never had any problems with the set, but the rubber feet have been replaced by Steel Retractable Spiked Foot Adapter. For the price I think is the best cost benefit.

Feb 08, 2010 at 11:21 AM

Breitling65
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p.1 #9 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

I am using Gitzo GM5541 for 500L with RRS monopod head just fine. I wish Gitzo makes this carbon-fiber monopods bit bigger in diameter. But Ok.

Feb 08, 2010 at 12:40 PM

Will Patterson
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p.1 #10 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

I have that exact monopod and it worked fine with my old Mk1 400 2.8.

Feb 08, 2010 at 01:18 PM

jhom
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p.1 #11 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

dolina wrote:
jhom which Gitzo 5? GM5561T or GM5541?

GM5540.

Feb 08, 2010 at 01:32 PM

J4644
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p.1 #12 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the information. So, it looks like the 680B is good enough, but you prefer the GM5540.

Thanks,

Jim

Feb 08, 2010 at 01:41 PM

J4644
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p.1 #13 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Hi Pierre,

Thanks for the reply. Another vote for Gitzo.

Jim

Feb 08, 2010 at 01:42 PM

J4644
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p.1 #14 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Hi Derek,

Exactly what I wanted to hear.

Thanks,

Jim

Feb 08, 2010 at 01:43 PM

J4644
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p.1 #15 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Hi Ari,

Another vote for the 680B. Thank you for your response.

Jim

Feb 08, 2010 at 01:45 PM

J4644
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p.1 #16 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Breitling65,

Sounds like the GM5540 is very popular.

Thank you for responding.

Jim

Feb 08, 2010 at 01:47 PM

J4644
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p.1 #17 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Hi Will,

Sounds like the 680B will do the job. Nice to know that I do not need to spend anymore money on a monopod.

Thanks,

Jim

Feb 08, 2010 at 01:48 PM

Bieg
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p.1 #18 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

I use my 400 2.8L IS on a Feisol 1471 with a RRS Mono-Pod head and it is a great combination for me.

Feb 08, 2010 at 11:52 PM

J4644
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p.1 #19 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Hi Steve,

That is what Nill (above) went with after his research. Far less than his Gitzo and 67% as good if I recall the link.

Thanks,

Jim

Feb 09, 2010 at 12:43 AM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #20 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Breitling65 wrote:
I am using Gitzo GM5541 for 500L with RRS monopod head just fine. I wish Gitzo makes this carbon-fiber monopods bit bigger in diameter. But Ok.

Why do you like it bigger in diameter

It's big and strong enough for any lens Canon sell. I use it all the time to carry my 800+TC over the shoulder.

I also use the low-priced Manfrotto 681 & 681B for that lens. So those will work good for the (O.P.) with the 400/2,8 if he don't like to spend a lot of money

Feb 09, 2010 at 09:26 AM

J4644
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p.1 #21 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Lars,

Thanks for the reply.

Jim

Feb 09, 2010 at 01:52 PM

Nill Toulme
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p.1 #22 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

One thing that's worth adding to the discussion of using the 400 on a monopod is the advantage of using the Wimberley replacement foot. Doing so lowers the center of gravity substantially and makes wielding the rig significantly easier (at least with a light monopod like the Gitzo – the 680 or 681 Bogens might be heavy enough that they balance the lens better with the stock foot, I don't know).

It also makes it possible to use the 400 on a side-mount gimbal head like the Wimberley Sidekick.

Nill

Feb 09, 2010 at 03:06 PM

Nill Toulme
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p.1 #23 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

The 5540/41 doesn't need to be any larger in diameter, but it could definitely stand to be about 6" longer for us taller folks. I had to have an extension fabricated for mine.

Nill

Feb 09, 2010 at 03:11 PM

J4644
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p.1 #24 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Hi Nill,

Have you decided on purchasing the Canon Mark 4 yet? I am waiting for more positive reviews. B and H only has 1 review which seems rather anemic.

Jim

Feb 09, 2010 at 04:49 PM

Nill Toulme
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p.1 #25 · Monopod/Canon 400 2.8

Yes, I'm going to order one as soon as I sell either my 1Ds2 or my 200 f/1.8. But if somebody would buy my White Lightning x3200's, that would help too. ;-)

Nill

Feb 09, 2010 at 04:59 PM


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