?? Monopod Manfrotto Neotec 685B

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Archive 2009 · ?? Monopod Manfrotto Neotec 685B

Daniel M.
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p.1 #1 · ?? Monopod Manfrotto Neotec 685B

Anyone out there using it or have used it in the past?
Can you share your experience?
All the reviews at B&H look great, but searching FM brought no results...

thanks!

The heaviest load (for now) would be a 40D + grip and a 300 2.8.

B&H link

Edited on Mar 31, 2009 at 08:04 PM · View previous versions

Mar 31, 2009 at 07:30 PM

Alistair Watson
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p.1 #2 · ?? Monopod Manfrotto Neotec 685B

I had the 685B, 2 of them actually. The first got replaced after 1 month as it wouldn't shorten smoothly, the 2nd I had for a year before I finally got tired of the wobble and sold it for a carbon Gitzo which is really stable. I should add at this point I was using a 1D3 and 400/2.8 IS but for a smaller lens I think it would be better and it is great for being able to setup and use very quickly.

Mar 31, 2009 at 07:51 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #3 · ?? Monopod Manfrotto Neotec 685B

I've used one with a 300/2.8+2xTC and 1DII body for about three years with no problems at all. It's about half of the weight that Alistair described. I hope to use it with a 400/2.8 later this year. It's really great in close quarters, as you can open and close it in the shooting position, without needing extra space, or crouching, or raising your arm in the air like a conjurer (not that there's anything wrong with that

). Plus, it's fast and has an easily interchangeable rubber foot and spike foot.

Mar 31, 2009 at 09:47 PM

Daniel M.
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p.1 #4 · ?? Monopod Manfrotto Neotec 685B

.. I loved the part about the conjurer.. that was funny..

Thanks all for the reply...

Apr 02, 2009 at 03:48 PM

Jason Kim
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p.1 #5 · ?? Monopod Manfrotto Neotec 685B

I have one. It is fast in operation and fairly stable but it doesn't travel well. Then when I bought Gitzo, all my other monopods (3) are gathering dust somewhere in my closet.

Apr 02, 2009 at 03:59 PM

dennisgibson
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p.1 #6 · ?? Monopod Manfrotto Neotec 685B

Jason Kim wrote:
I have one. It is fast in operation and fairly stable but it doesn't travel well. Then when I bought Gitzo, all my other monopods (3) are gathering dust somewhere in my closet.

I like mine a lot but it doesn't travel well as Jason mentioned. It's very long even with fully compacted. Really like it though!

Apr 02, 2009 at 07:33 PM

JohnJ80
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p.1 #7 · ?? Monopod Manfrotto Neotec 685B

I had one and sold it. I used mine for shooting sports.

Pro:
+Fast set up.
+Easy adjustment

Con:
+Aluminum - terrible for shooting in the cold. Just sucks the heat out of your hands.
+Too Long at 27" when attached to pack, hooks on everything, hard to get pack out of car.
+Too Heavy
+Plastic top not great with long, heavy glass (a bit wobbly).
+No spike attachment on foot which I use all the time on grass and hard pack snow (ski areas).

I replaced this a Gitzo 2540 which I really love. More expensive but better support, better in the cold, much lighter, smaller. I'd recommend a Feisol if money is an issue.

J.

Apr 04, 2009 at 01:33 AM

Daniel M.
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p.1 #8 · ?? Monopod Manfrotto Neotec 685B

I just wanted to post here my findings after using the monopod for a while.
I love it! The new clamps are so quiet when they close... so no loud snap. The Height is great and there is a big cover (foam?) near the top so it is not cold when you hold it.
:-)

Nov 09, 2009 at 03:30 PM


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