I have to say I loved using the monopod - the Wimberley monogimbal - with my Nikon D7500 + 200-500 lens attached when on my Antarctic expedition this time last year. Other photographers were swinging tripods around and quite a few were showing signs of monopod envy! LOL It was just so easy to swing the thing around from shooting whales and seals to albatross in flight. AWESOME! Great video Hudson. Thank you
Perhaps this observation might help some people use monopods more successfully: If you stand on two legs and use a monopod, you and your monopod are a *tripod*. Would you set up a tripod so that one leg was directly under the camera? No. It's not stable enough. So why would you do that with the you-plus-one tripod? Try moving the monopod's foot farther away from your body and then lean into it *slightly*. I find that gives me much better front/back stability.
Try the wrist strap with a bit of downforce Myron. I think you'll find it exceeds the lean in stability with far less physical effort and more ability to quickly pivot in any direction. That's a great technique too though. If you're really trying to stay super steady, they can be combined too.
Thanks, this was helpful. I just got a monopod and threw on a ball head I had laying around and I didn't like it all that much. I just ordered a tilt head and think it'll be much better.
Thank you Hudson! As always, another great video. Thank you for doing these. Hands down the most informative photography info and tutorials available anywhere. I look forward to participating in an Office Hours at some point when I can finally get back and start shooting and hope to do one of your field workshops at some point. Thank you again!
Dave, I can't wait to get back to your part of the world one day. I spent 2 weeks in Perth when but a boy in the Navy and it was fabulous. I surfed Margret River and did a 40km ride with some local mountain bikers. I think it may have been the first time I actually drank quality beer in my life. :-) What a fabulous place you live. I used to comment that the only really spectacular place the military ever took me was West Australia.
I love the videos you do. This is a good one I do like the Leofoto MP-364C. The placement of the controls makes sense and I do need a new gimbal. I also use a monopod with a gimbal, but I have gone to the MH-100. Wimberley MonoGimbal head. It is more expensive, but I really like the friction knob on the head. I can actually let go of the camera body when it is balanced and that has proved to be helpful at times. Please keep up the good work. Really appreciate the videos.
Hi Hudson I like your Swiss Army knife, that I bought recently and I like it so much for my landscape photography. The best head I have used so far. Great video! Best regards Daniel
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Use it with Kirk Enterprise Solution on my Leofoto for my Nikon Z system. Still hope to meet you once personally in a workshop in the future.
A monopod is a godsend on the sideline! The D600+80-200 wasn't light! I think with the Z6+FTZ+70-200 FL ED I can probably handhold for a game, but the second I find myself a 300 or 500...on the monopod it goes. I like the Manfrotto that I have, but if I find myself upgrading...carbon time!
I have the 500aH in route to me. Unfortunately is a week late due to Fed-X still being bogged down after the big cold spell. Looking forward to seeing if it works with my Gitzo.
Hi Hudson, thank you for all your great videos and content. Was wondering if you might have any suggestions for a good long lens support arm/rig. I have both a gimbal and fluid head setup that I use with my 150-600. But would like a little more stability. Using both setups on a large Leofoto carbon fiber tripod. Thanks for your time.
Just want to say thanks for all the information. I cannot find any reviews on the leofoto vh30r tripod head. Plenty of information on vh 30 head, nothing anywhere on the vh30r. Hope to here from you.
I have the Leofoto VH-30R. It's one of my favorite heads, as it's super light weight, built really solid, and quite versatile when combined with a leveling base. It doesn't have fluid, but like a video head, you can tighten the friction of the tilt and pan so your equipment doesn't flop. The tension adjustment is more refined than a ball head, but definitely not as good as a fluid head. All in all, it's a great head to have for a lightweight setup. I have it on a Leofoto LQ-324C with the LB-60N leveling base.
@@lewlarson6882 The vh-30R. The upper panning part not on the vh-30 allows for the orientation from l bracket to long lens to be set on the head. This could be done with a nodal slide on the vh-30 if you can't find the vh-30R
@@barryobrien1890 Hey Barry. I have seriously looked at the VH-30R as well. I emailed Hudson about this a while back, he had not looked at the VH-30R, and said if I purchased one to let him know about its performance. You might want to reach out to him. BTW where did you purchase? I sees prices on it and Leofoto tripods fluctuating every quarter.
@@lewlarson6882 I have purchased from super-photo-gear on ebay. Gary is the USA dealer and runs the ebay store. He is really helpful and you can make an offer 10-15%lower than the list price. If he does not have one listed you can ask him through eBay messages on another leofoto item and he will list one for you. All items are new and shipped from USA
While looking around to buy a monopod and head I discovered that the Leophoto VH-10 head and the VH-10s head are slightly different. The 10 appears to be discontinued. The 10s clamp does not rotate from north/south to east/west. This is important to me because I want to be able to use the monopod with both a long lens and with my camera body depending on the circumstances. After thinking about it - I am going to try to use my Acratech panoramic head and just lock out the pan base on the head which turns it into a tilting head. Overkill to use that head for sure. But, I already own it, and I think I can deal with moving it back and forth between tripod and monopod. We'll see. If its to much of a PIA to switch, I'll get some sort of small tilt head for the monopod.
I think that will work great Robert. If I used the VH-10 with a small lens (haven't yet, but who knows), I'd just mount the LRP-3 nodal rail between. :-)
Amazing video, after buying quite a few cameras and lenses, I started to look for tripods and heads, and one person referred me to this excellent channel. I think that will try the Manfrotto 500AH/Kirk setup and try see from there if I need a gimbal too for my larger lenses. I use my long lenses for night sky photography, and I got an inexpensive geared Benro head with 6 kg of capacity. It still didn't arrive to try it, but using a ball head was an absolute nightmare for that. One slightest movement and the long lens with TC is looking anywhere else in the sky. I'm not sure if the Manfrotto/Kirk combination, a normal or fluid gimbal head would help me there? Was wondering if for gimbal options, if needed, is better to get one without fluid or with fluid motion?
Hi Hudson, if you had to pick just one between Leofoto's VH10S vs MPG-01 - for wildlife - which one would you choose and why? (I currently just carry my D7500+200-500mm with a peak design strap and shoot handheld) Much appreciated! 9:30
Hello Hudson, awesome video real straight to the point ! I shoot mostly surf and Kitesurf nowadays but am also interested in doing some macro, would the Gimble (I am actually looking at that kit from Leofoto) works for those 2 really different type of photography? Or should I go with a monopod for Surf/Kitesurf with Sigma 150-600 and a tripod for macro ? Thank you 🙏
I think the monopod and tripod is the more versatile answer to be honest. But maybe consider the fluid head tripod, which really does do it all well. I honestly use it 98 percent of the time. Www.hudsonhenry.com/tripods
Thanks for getting us through Covid sanely. I'm hesitant to dump my DLSRs for a mirrorless Nikon because of the some issues regarding FTZ adaptor on long lens, for example a noticeable drop in auto focus speed. I can't really afford to replace all of my F glass. Have you heard of or had any issues yourself? Thanks!
Great vid!! QQ: Typically on a tripod you’d disengage the in-body camera/lens image stabilization. On the Manfrotto fluid head, with all that motion, do you reengage it?
I use the Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 fluid head with my D850 and D500 and Sigma 500mm f4 sport. It has made my gimbal obsolete. This fluid head is fantastic.
And 5 pounds instead of 2. I'm not a fan of Manfrotto's bigger heads and you sure don't need them for dslr or mirrorless unless you're doing serious filmmaking with added monitors, audio preamps and focus pullers attached. I prefer cartoni and sachtler for those situations, but that's yet another league. :)
@@gosman949 I did, it makes no sense. The manfrotto 608 nitrotech fluid video head is not any bigger than a large quality ball head, and it's smaller than a gimbal.
Hey Hudson. Love your videos bro. I'm thinking Leofoto is the way to go after watching this. But I have a question. Does the VH-10s allow for the clamp to be in the tilt position only or can you unscrew it and rotate 90 degrees and fix it in that position. To explain further. If I want to mount my camera to it on smaller lenses I'd need to rotate the clamp as I have the Kirk wide plate on the bottom of the body of the camera at it wouldn't allow front to back tilt but side to side. I did see there is a VH-10 (no s) that has a rotation but I'd rather stay fixed if possible. Other consideration is the VH-20 but seems like no one sells it!!!
Hey! Tanks for these amazing videos of yours! I'm mostly into wildlife but while I'm out I often want to ta the occasional panorama. So if I just want to bring one head, could I not just bring the leofoto gimbal and their nodal slide with clamp, switch to my 14-24mm and mount it vertically with my L-bracket and just like that I'm able to do multiple row no parallax panos?? Or is it some problem I can't see?
For wildlife/birds in flight, how does the acratech long lens head or panoramic & tilt head compare re freedom of movement with the 500AH or a gimbal if using something like the Tamron 150-600mm? Is there a greater 'flop' risk with the acratechs?
Yes indeed. It's like the fluid head with no fluid to slow the flop. If you leave it loose and let go in anything but perfect balance it will flop in perfect vertical tilt with potential catastrophic result. You need to be certain you lock the tilt before letting go, then you're fine. :)
I would avoid anything smaller than the 500AH. I really would. No one I know regrets getting that head. It's a wee bit bulky but light. Check out my links. Www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks My main setup is 79 inches (which lets you get eye level on steep slopes) and weighs under just 7 pounds with the head and leveling adapter. When students pick it up, they're like "wow, that's so much lighter than I thought."
Do you have the contact info for your rep that you work with at Leofoto? I have one of their tripods (I love it) but I need to buy some replacement legs. I took it into the ocean and did not clean it and the legs seized up. Thanks for the tips on using a fluid head, on your recommendation I got one and absolutely love it.
Hi Hudson, I have been looking for a solution to steady my short video clips better (vs. Handheld) when using my Z9 with the 500PF shooting birds nesting, feeding in the water and on the beach. Static or birds moving thru the water not necessarily flying high in the sky. I don't want to use a gimbal because it is too bulky when used on a large tripod and the purpose of the 500PF is so I can hand carry all day and react quickly. I was looking at the Manfrotto MVMXPRO500US XPRO Aluminum Video Monopod with the fluid head and fluid base with the feet which you didn't seem to be a fan of (my assumption), I worry about beach sand ruining these feet and I have an old Manfrotto Element Monopod from a long long time ago with no head but it does adjust high enough for my 6'2" frame. Should I just look for a head to throw on that and would that be good enough, it has the swivel strap on it as well. What head would you recommend for my situation, I have the Acratech GP Ballhead on my full size Manfrotto tripod but I don't think I need anything that expensive for what I'm trying to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
For a monopod you'll do great with nothing but a tilt and a standard foot you can pivot. All that stuff on a monopod, just makes it ungainly in my opinion. The great thing about a monopod is the ability to move quickly, plant pivot and tilt. That's all you need. If you want to get serious with the video stuff though, my tall, 7lb fluid head system will make you REALLY, REALLY happy. Ball heads are really no good for video at all, or panos, or tracking movement, or... well much besides some types of macro work or situations where you can't level at the base (like above a star tracker). You can see my monopod and tripod builds, ideas and suggestions at www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks
Since you appear to have Leofoto's ear, can you advise them to ditch the crappy narrow leg angles on their tripods. 24-25 degrees would be awesome, instead of sub 23.
They're the same as my Gitzo 3540 I've used for years, and I prefer the height. You can always splay if you need wider. Never bothered me in the slightest. Add a stone bag to go even more rock solid.
Find your videos very informative. I bought the Manfrotto fluid head & panoramic rig you recommend. Difficulty for me is no no graduations on fluid head to register start & end points & increments of rotation for panos. How do you deal with that? Also, bought the camera strap & QD connector you recommend - do you have confidence that one QD connector will hold camera with 100-400 lens? I can't find any weight limit specs for that QD connector. Thanks, Ken
I had the same concerns and I used a paint pen and a flexible ruler and put marks every 1/8 of an inch all around the base to create my own scale. Once shooting I figure out how many or portions of increments to move - works great. The QD's are designed for heavy rifles I trust mine with my camera gear.
I quit using marks years ago when live view arrived. I simply turn on the grid view, watch and shoot every time a grid line touches a reference point. Simple. The QD is mil spec. Just inspect it to ensure the little bearings are in place. There was a bad batch they had to send replacements for where those balls didn't get crimped in quite right. If you bought in the last 6 months you should be fine. If earlier, keep an eye on that. I run around with my 500 on mine a lot.
Oh yeah. I'm no fan of the big clunky 502. That's for red cameras or big movie rigs with focus pullers and monitors. If you need that I'd suggest sachtler or cartoni. The 500AH is perfect for dslr and mirrorless systems. Perfect. Works for me even with an old pro dslr and my 500. :)
What do you think of geared heads for landscape photography? I have a benro geared head and so far so good. I have zero interest in video and looking for a solid rig for landscapes and panos. My issue with the benro is the platform doesn't align this the pivot...
I find them slow and limiting. I won't give up my fluid head for anything. Best all around head for stills of just about any sort as far as I'm concerned.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto thank you for the quick reply. I see you really love the fluid heads and Arcatech pivot head. Have you seen the Leofoto 2 way head? www.leofoto.com/products_detail.php?id=423. I was think about this instead of the Arcatech due to price. Seems like the top pano head could be good to switch back and forth between camera orientations too...thoughts?
Morgan, if one extra pound isn't make or break, then I'd really urge you to try the 500AH fluid head. It's what I reach for every time. The pano head is for multiday ski mountaineering trips or to bring as a second tripod system. I miss the fluid when I dont have it. The acratech stuff is so good. I can't help but compare it. The only leofoto head I've really loved is the gimbal, but I've not tried that one yet. Check out the fluid head links at www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks
@@morganmessina I have both the 500ah and the leofoto vh-30R. I totally agree that the fluid head is way nicer for a setup when ultra low weight is not important, or you want to shoot video. It is smooth and very responsive. The vh-30R is much lighter and perfect for a fixed studio or backpack trip. It is a lot better than even the best ball head as it's really easy to level and a certain amount of friction prevents the flopping of the lens if you let go, but it does not work anywhere as smooth as a fluid head, as the friction is not proportional to the speed of motion, and tends to be too loose, or jerk a little when starting a pan. I would say they complement each other, and instead of getting 2 tripods the same, get a heavy one for astro and big landscape work and use a fluid head. For the second, get a lightweight carbon with a panning head similar to the acratech/vh-30R for your second lightweight backpack one. You will be surprised how useful a second tripod is.
When they make a good one I'll let you know. To this point the legs and leveling adapters are extremely high quality, innovative, and a joy to work with. I love them. The heads by contrast are derivitive, poorly made and terrible to use. The fluid head is better than the ball heads, but heavy, clunky in operation and has that abysmal, tiny handled clamp interrated that requires 7-10 turns to open or close.
Is it really worth the $ to add a ballhead to a monopod? I've been using my 200-400 f4 mounted directly to the monopod for years without any problems. what am I missing?
Tilting up and down quickly would be your problem. You will have to almost fall over your monopod to point it down without the tilt down! Or fall backwards if you aimed it upwards!
I really almost never use ball heads. That's not a ball head. It's a simple 1 axis tilt. Try it from my link in the description. You get 30 days free returns at Amazon. I'll bet you won't use it. ;) I can't imagine not having that on a monopod.
OK, I'll give it a try! I guess my experience is different because when using the monopod, I am usually shooting sports, which happens on a relatively flat plane, so no need for radical tilting up or down. I certainly understand wanting one for wildlife, esp birds in flight!
Think you should change the titles of your videos, who remembers what number they last saw and what it means, it is just a number, tell us what we can expect to see, pls.
It's a nice thought, but no. It's a lot like a hybrid bike. Not a very good street bike, not a very good mountain bike. I've never seen one of those modular leg sets I'd be happy using. Quite different purposes. 2.5 pounds isn't much to toss in the duffle to check. :)
I have to say I loved using the monopod - the Wimberley monogimbal - with my Nikon D7500 + 200-500 lens attached when on my Antarctic expedition this time last year. Other photographers were swinging tripods around and quite a few were showing signs of monopod envy! LOL It was just so easy to swing the thing around from shooting whales and seals to albatross in flight. AWESOME! Great video Hudson. Thank you
Thanks for the monopod suggestions and also the comparison between using a Manfrotto 500AH versus a gimbal head.
Well, no wonder I've never liked my mono pod - no tilt function! Thanks!
Thanks very much. The monopod segment was of real interest and value to me.
Fantastic as always, thanks Hudson
Brilliant video! Thanks for sharing. _fc
D200, gosh those were the days, seems a very long time ago lol. Great video Hudson, thanks. cheers.
Perhaps this observation might help some people use monopods more successfully: If you stand on two legs and use a monopod, you and your monopod are a *tripod*. Would you set up a tripod so that one leg was directly under the camera? No. It's not stable enough. So why would you do that with the you-plus-one tripod? Try moving the monopod's foot farther away from your body and then lean into it *slightly*. I find that gives me much better front/back stability.
Try the wrist strap with a bit of downforce Myron. I think you'll find it exceeds the lean in stability with far less physical effort and more ability to quickly pivot in any direction. That's a great technique too though. If you're really trying to stay super steady, they can be combined too.
Thanks, this was helpful. I just got a monopod and threw on a ball head I had laying around and I didn't like it all that much. I just ordered a tilt head and think it'll be much better.
Thank you Hudson! As always, another great video. Thank you for doing these. Hands down the most informative photography info and tutorials available anywhere. I look forward to participating in an Office Hours at some point when I can finally get back and start shooting and hope to do one of your field workshops at some point. Thank you again!
Awww, thanks so much. That means a lot! I missed this before somehow.
Thanks Hudson, another informative video, always lean so much.... Cheers from Western Australia.
Dave, I can't wait to get back to your part of the world one day. I spent 2 weeks in Perth when but a boy in the Navy and it was fabulous. I surfed Margret River and did a 40km ride with some local mountain bikers. I think it may have been the first time I actually drank quality beer in my life. :-) What a fabulous place you live. I used to comment that the only really spectacular place the military ever took me was West Australia.
Excellent video and demonstrations! Thank you.
I love the videos you do. This is a good one I do like the Leofoto MP-364C. The placement of the controls makes sense and I do need a new gimbal. I also use a monopod with a gimbal, but I have gone to the MH-100. Wimberley MonoGimbal head. It is more expensive, but I really like the friction knob on the head. I can actually let go of the camera body when it is balanced and that has proved to be helpful at times. Please keep up the good work. Really appreciate the videos.
Some great points & well made
Hi Hudson
I like your Swiss Army knife, that I bought recently and I like it so much for my landscape photography. The best head I have used so far. Great video! Best regards Daniel
So great to hear!
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Use it with Kirk Enterprise Solution on my Leofoto for my Nikon Z system. Still hope to meet you once personally in a workshop in the future.
@@DHAGMANN2 I sure hope so too Daniel! 👍
Thanks so much for the information. Your videos are great.
Thanks, Hudson good info.
I shoot sports. I use a Gitzo carbon fiber with no head. I would never put a 600mm on a small ball head on top of a monopod.
A monopod is a godsend on the sideline! The D600+80-200 wasn't light! I think with the Z6+FTZ+70-200 FL ED I can probably handhold for a game, but the second I find myself a 300 or 500...on the monopod it goes. I like the Manfrotto that I have, but if I find myself upgrading...carbon time!
I have the 500aH in route to me. Unfortunately is a week late due to Fed-X still being bogged down after the big cold spell. Looking forward to seeing if it works with my Gitzo.
Thanks! great info again!
Hi Hudson, thank you for all your great videos and content. Was wondering if you might have any suggestions for a good long lens support arm/rig. I have both a gimbal and fluid head setup that I use with my 150-600. But would like a little more stability. Using both setups on a large Leofoto carbon fiber tripod. Thanks for your time.
I like Kirk's aftermarket lens feet if that's what you're meaning...? Thanks for the kind words!
Just want to say thanks for all the information. I cannot find any reviews on the leofoto vh30r tripod head.
Plenty of information on vh 30 head, nothing anywhere on the vh30r. Hope to here from you.
I have the Leofoto VH-30R. It's one of my favorite heads, as it's super light weight, built really solid, and quite versatile when combined with a leveling base. It doesn't have fluid, but like a video head, you can tighten the friction of the tilt and pan so your equipment doesn't flop. The tension adjustment is more refined than a ball head, but definitely not as good as a fluid head. All in all, it's a great head to have for a lightweight setup. I have it on a Leofoto LQ-324C with the LB-60N leveling base.
Great show thanks. I have the leofoto version of the acratech on my lightweight rig which works well too.
Which Leofoto head do you have?
@@lewlarson6882 The vh-30R. The upper panning part not on the vh-30 allows for the orientation from l bracket to long lens to be set on the head. This could be done with a nodal slide on the vh-30 if you can't find the vh-30R
@@barryobrien1890 Hey Barry. I have seriously looked at the VH-30R as well. I emailed Hudson about this a while back, he had not looked at the VH-30R, and said if I purchased one to let him know about its performance. You might want to reach out to him. BTW where did you purchase? I sees prices on it and Leofoto tripods fluctuating every quarter.
@@lewlarson6882 I have purchased from super-photo-gear on ebay. Gary is the USA dealer and runs the ebay store. He is really helpful and you can make an offer 10-15%lower than the list price. If he does not have one listed you can ask him through eBay messages on another leofoto item and he will list one for you. All items are new and shipped from USA
@@barryobrien1890 Barry, thanks for the recommendation. Much appreciated
While looking around to buy a monopod and head I discovered that the Leophoto VH-10 head and the VH-10s head are slightly different. The 10 appears to be discontinued. The 10s clamp does not rotate from north/south to east/west. This is important to me because I want to be able to use the monopod with both a long lens and with my camera body depending on the circumstances. After thinking about it - I am going to try to use my Acratech panoramic head and just lock out the pan base on the head which turns it into a tilting head. Overkill to use that head for sure. But, I already own it, and I think I can deal with moving it back and forth between tripod and monopod. We'll see. If its to much of a PIA to switch, I'll get some sort of small tilt head for the monopod.
I think that will work great Robert. If I used the VH-10 with a small lens (haven't yet, but who knows), I'd just mount the LRP-3 nodal rail between. :-)
Amazing video, after buying quite a few cameras and lenses, I started to look for tripods and heads, and one person referred me to this excellent channel.
I think that will try the Manfrotto 500AH/Kirk setup and try see from there if I need a gimbal too for my larger lenses.
I use my long lenses for night sky photography, and I got an inexpensive geared Benro head with 6 kg of capacity. It still didn't arrive to try it, but using a ball head was an absolute nightmare for that. One slightest movement and the long lens with TC is looking anywhere else in the sky.
I'm not sure if the Manfrotto/Kirk combination, a normal or fluid gimbal head would help me there?
Was wondering if for gimbal options, if needed, is better to get one without fluid or with fluid motion?
Hi Hudson, if you had to pick just one between Leofoto's VH10S vs MPG-01 - for wildlife - which one would you choose and why? (I currently just carry my D7500+200-500mm with a peak design strap and shoot handheld) Much appreciated! 9:30
The manfrotto 500AH without a doubt. www.hudsonhenry.com/tripods
@@HudsonHenryPhoto a fluid head on a monopod…
Hello Hudson, awesome video real straight to the point ! I shoot mostly surf and Kitesurf nowadays but am also interested in doing some macro, would the Gimble (I am actually looking at that kit from Leofoto) works for those 2 really different type of photography? Or should I go with a monopod for Surf/Kitesurf with Sigma 150-600 and a tripod for macro ?
Thank you 🙏
I think the monopod and tripod is the more versatile answer to be honest. But maybe consider the fluid head tripod, which really does do it all well. I honestly use it 98 percent of the time. Www.hudsonhenry.com/tripods
Thanks for getting us through Covid sanely. I'm hesitant to dump my DLSRs for a mirrorless Nikon because of the some issues regarding FTZ adaptor on long lens, for example a noticeable drop in auto focus speed. I can't really afford to replace all of my F glass. Have you heard of or had any issues yourself? Thanks!
Great vid!! QQ: Typically on a tripod you’d disengage the in-body camera/lens image stabilization. On the Manfrotto fluid head, with all that motion, do you reengage it?
I use the Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 fluid head with my D850 and D500 and Sigma 500mm f4 sport. It has made my gimbal obsolete. This fluid head is fantastic.
wow, much more expensive and complex than Hudson's fluid head!
And 5 pounds instead of 2. I'm not a fan of Manfrotto's bigger heads and you sure don't need them for dslr or mirrorless unless you're doing serious filmmaking with added monitors, audio preamps and focus pullers attached. I prefer cartoni and sachtler for those situations, but that's yet another league. :)
@@gosman949 You get what you pay for.
@@jfphotography69 see Hudson's remark above.
@@gosman949 I did, it makes no sense. The manfrotto 608 nitrotech fluid video head is not any bigger than a large quality ball head, and it's smaller than a gimbal.
👍👍
Hey Hudson. Love your videos bro. I'm thinking Leofoto is the way to go after watching this. But I have a question. Does the VH-10s allow for the clamp to be in the tilt position only or can you unscrew it and rotate 90 degrees and fix it in that position. To explain further. If I want to mount my camera to it on smaller lenses I'd need to rotate the clamp as I have the Kirk wide plate on the bottom of the body of the camera at it wouldn't allow front to back tilt but side to side.
I did see there is a VH-10 (no s) that has a rotation but I'd rather stay fixed if possible. Other consideration is the VH-20 but seems like no one sells it!!!
Hey! Tanks for these amazing videos of yours! I'm mostly into wildlife but while I'm out I often want to ta the occasional panorama. So if I just want to bring one head, could I not just bring the leofoto gimbal and their nodal slide with clamp, switch to my 14-24mm and mount it vertically with my L-bracket and just like that I'm able to do multiple row no parallax panos?? Or is it some problem I can't see?
For wildlife/birds in flight, how does the acratech long lens head or panoramic & tilt head compare re freedom of movement with the 500AH or a gimbal if using something like the Tamron 150-600mm? Is there a greater 'flop' risk with the acratechs?
Yes indeed. It's like the fluid head with no fluid to slow the flop. If you leave it loose and let go in anything but perfect balance it will flop in perfect vertical tilt with potential catastrophic result. You need to be certain you lock the tilt before letting go, then you're fine. :)
Any thoughts on the Gitzo 2 way fluid head for tripod or the wimberly monogimbal. The gitzo looks more compact and don’t need to buy the arca adapter?
Great video as always and am convinced a fluid head is the way to go. Any suggestions for a smaller setup? (Fuji x-t4 with 100-400 or 70-300)
I would avoid anything smaller than the 500AH. I really would. No one I know regrets getting that head. It's a wee bit bulky but light. Check out my links. Www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks My main setup is 79 inches (which lets you get eye level on steep slopes) and weighs under just 7 pounds with the head and leveling adapter. When students pick it up, they're like "wow, that's so much lighter than I thought."
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thanks a stack for the answer.
Do you have the contact info for your rep that you work with at Leofoto? I have one of their tripods (I love it) but I need to buy some replacement legs. I took it into the ocean and did not clean it and the legs seized up. Thanks for the tips on using a fluid head, on your recommendation I got one and absolutely love it.
Email me at hi@hudsonhenry.com I'll put you in touch.
Hi Hudson, I have been looking for a solution to steady my short video clips better (vs. Handheld) when using my Z9 with the 500PF shooting birds nesting, feeding in the water and on the beach. Static or birds moving thru the water not necessarily flying high in the sky. I don't want to use a gimbal because it is too bulky when used on a large tripod and the purpose of the 500PF is so I can hand carry all day and react quickly. I was looking at the Manfrotto MVMXPRO500US XPRO Aluminum Video Monopod with the fluid head and fluid base with the feet which you didn't seem to be a fan of (my assumption), I worry about beach sand ruining these feet and I have an old Manfrotto Element Monopod from a long long time ago with no head but it does adjust high enough for my 6'2" frame. Should I just look for a head to throw on that and would that be good enough, it has the swivel strap on it as well. What head would you recommend for my situation, I have the Acratech GP Ballhead on my full size Manfrotto tripod but I don't think I need anything that expensive for what I'm trying to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
For a monopod you'll do great with nothing but a tilt and a standard foot you can pivot. All that stuff on a monopod, just makes it ungainly in my opinion. The great thing about a monopod is the ability to move quickly, plant pivot and tilt. That's all you need. If you want to get serious with the video stuff though, my tall, 7lb fluid head system will make you REALLY, REALLY happy. Ball heads are really no good for video at all, or panos, or tracking movement, or... well much besides some types of macro work or situations where you can't level at the base (like above a star tracker). You can see my monopod and tripod builds, ideas and suggestions at www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks
I see guys using gimbals on monopods now. You have some added weight but also the action and mobility.
I can't imagine it helping in the slightest. Tilt is all you need.
Since you appear to have Leofoto's ear, can you advise them to ditch the crappy narrow leg angles on their tripods. 24-25 degrees would be awesome, instead of sub 23.
They're the same as my Gitzo 3540 I've used for years, and I prefer the height. You can always splay if you need wider. Never bothered me in the slightest. Add a stone bag to go even more rock solid.
Find your videos very informative. I bought the Manfrotto fluid head & panoramic rig you recommend. Difficulty for me is no no graduations on fluid head to register start & end points & increments of rotation for panos. How do you deal with that? Also, bought the camera strap & QD connector you recommend - do you have confidence that one QD connector will hold camera with 100-400 lens? I can't find any weight limit specs for that QD connector.
Thanks,
Ken
I had the same concerns and I used a paint pen and a flexible ruler and put marks every 1/8 of an inch all around the base to create my own scale. Once shooting I figure out how many or portions of increments to move - works great. The QD's are designed for heavy rifles I trust mine with my camera gear.
@@cjgetreal Thanks for that info, I will
try adding my own scale.
Oh no. I have this head on order. Don't tell me it has no marks on it? And I don't want to deface it like you guys are doing.
I quit using marks years ago when live view arrived. I simply turn on the grid view, watch and shoot every time a grid line touches a reference point. Simple. The QD is mil spec. Just inspect it to ensure the little bearings are in place. There was a bad batch they had to send replacements for where those balls didn't get crimped in quite right. If you bought in the last 6 months you should be fine. If earlier, keep an eye on that. I run around with my 500 on mine a lot.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto OK, thank you, I’m going to practice with the grid in live view &, hopefully, that resolves my issue.
Hudson, with KES now offering a bracket solution for the Manfrotto 502 pro, do you still recommend the 500AH over it?
Oh yeah. I'm no fan of the big clunky 502. That's for red cameras or big movie rigs with focus pullers and monitors. If you need that I'd suggest sachtler or cartoni. The 500AH is perfect for dslr and mirrorless systems. Perfect. Works for me even with an old pro dslr and my 500. :)
Hudson, Any concerns using that monopod in salt water? Thanks for showing how to use them.
No more than a standard tripod. Don't collapse it wet with salt water, rinse it. Should be good. :)
Thanks man, great vid. One question: do you turn off IBIS on the Z cameras when you have them on any of these?
I don't except for long exposures. I doubt it even makes a difference then, but it's good practice.
Hi, Hudson. Would you ever use a spike or claw foot on your monopod?
Spike at the beach yep. But not a claw. Can't see that being useful.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Spear fishing...
What do you think of geared heads for landscape photography? I have a benro geared head and so far so good. I have zero interest in video and looking for a solid rig for landscapes and panos. My issue with the benro is the platform doesn't align this the pivot...
I find them slow and limiting. I won't give up my fluid head for anything. Best all around head for stills of just about any sort as far as I'm concerned.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto thank you for the quick reply. I see you really love the fluid heads and Arcatech pivot head. Have you seen the Leofoto 2 way head? www.leofoto.com/products_detail.php?id=423. I was think about this instead of the Arcatech due to price. Seems like the top pano head could be good to switch back and forth between camera orientations too...thoughts?
Morgan, if one extra pound isn't make or break, then I'd really urge you to try the 500AH fluid head. It's what I reach for every time. The pano head is for multiday ski mountaineering trips or to bring as a second tripod system. I miss the fluid when I dont have it. The acratech stuff is so good. I can't help but compare it. The only leofoto head I've really loved is the gimbal, but I've not tried that one yet. Check out the fluid head links at www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks
@@morganmessina I have both the 500ah and the leofoto vh-30R. I totally agree that the fluid head is way nicer for a setup when ultra low weight is not important, or you want to shoot video. It is smooth and very responsive. The vh-30R is much lighter and perfect for a fixed studio or backpack trip. It is a lot better than even the best ball head as it's really easy to level and a certain amount of friction prevents the flopping of the lens if you let go, but it does not work anywhere as smooth as a fluid head, as the friction is not proportional to the speed of motion, and tends to be too loose, or jerk a little when starting a pan. I would say they complement each other, and instead of getting 2 tripods the same, get a heavy one for astro and big landscape work and use a fluid head. For the second, get a lightweight carbon with a panning head similar to the acratech/vh-30R for your second lightweight backpack one. You will be surprised how useful a second tripod is.
Why dont you use the Leofoto fluid head??
When they make a good one I'll let you know. To this point the legs and leveling adapters are extremely high quality, innovative, and a joy to work with. I love them. The heads by contrast are derivitive, poorly made and terrible to use. The fluid head is better than the ball heads, but heavy, clunky in operation and has that abysmal, tiny handled clamp interrated that requires 7-10 turns to open or close.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thanks for the information
Is it really worth the $ to add a ballhead to a monopod? I've been using my 200-400 f4 mounted directly to the monopod for years without any problems. what am I missing?
Tilting up and down quickly would be your problem. You will have to almost fall over your monopod to point it down without the tilt down! Or fall backwards if you aimed it upwards!
I really almost never use ball heads. That's not a ball head. It's a simple 1 axis tilt. Try it from my link in the description. You get 30 days free returns at Amazon. I'll bet you won't use it. ;) I can't imagine not having that on a monopod.
OK, I'll give it a try! I guess my experience is different because when using the monopod, I am usually shooting sports, which happens on a relatively flat plane, so no need for radical tilting up or down. I certainly understand wanting one for wildlife, esp birds in flight!
@@jonclarke2235 that makes a lot of sense. Hadn't thought about that. :)
Think you should change the titles of your videos, who remembers what number they last saw and what it means, it is just a number, tell us what we can expect to see, pls.
Why not a tripod with removable leg for a monopod. One less thing to buy, carry and store.
It's a nice thought, but no. It's a lot like a hybrid bike. Not a very good street bike, not a very good mountain bike. I've never seen one of those modular leg sets I'd be happy using. Quite different purposes. 2.5 pounds isn't much to toss in the duffle to check. :)