| |
| |  | Binoculars, Telescopes & Optics | Home » » Manfrotto 680B Monopod (4-SCTN) - Replaces 680 (Black) | | | | | | | Product Details: | | | Product Weight:
| 2.15 pounds | | Package Length:
| 21.8 inches | | Package Width:
| 3.0 inches | | Package Height:
| 2.75 inches | | Package Weight:
| 2.2 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 53 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 53 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 72 found the following review helpful:
 What a back saver!!!Mar 04, 2008
By Grant Brummett
What a back saver!!!
Pros:
Small and light enough to carry anywhere
Makes for a really steady shot in questionable lighting situations
Takes the weight off your back and arms while still maintaining that ready to shoot stance
Cons:
Could be a couple of inches taller
I wanted to take photos at the Arizona Renaissance festival using my Canon 135mm F/2 and Canon 70-200 F2.8 L lens. They are both so heavy especially the 70-200 lens and I had hurt my back several years ago and it has never recovered. So I needed someway to get several thousand photos without killing myself.
What a God send this monopod was. I haver never owned one before and didn't realize how usefull it can be. A tripod is just way too clumbersome for something as dynamic and crowded as a Renaissance festival. You have to be able to move out of the way quickly and to move to get the shot. A monopod fits the fill perfectly. After shooting for over 9 hours my back and arms were almost as fresh as when I arrived. I simply could not have stayed more then an hour or two without it killing my back.
Don't forget you will probably want a ball head or some other head with a rapid connect release system. This is essential when you suddenly find you need to take your camera and / or lens off the monopod. I am using a Bogen-Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N) and found it works perfectly.
9-9-2008 Update:
My back has gotten much better recently so I'm not using this monopod as much for back support anymore. Where I am using it still is to get low light shots where I am on the edge of getting the shot if I were hand held with my image stabilized lens. I have found that I can get away with a several second long exposure using this monopod and my Canon 17-55 F/2.8 IS lens. It's much easier to carry and easier to move then a full on tripod so I find the combo really useful in places where people would frown on using a tripod like inside a museum.
28 of 28 found the following review helpful:
Does exactly what it is indended to do, elegantlyJan 10, 2007
By Michael A. Thomas
I really love this monopod. It's very solidly made, and fits its purpose perfectly. You really have to add the tilt head/quick release to it (can't remember the model, but it's about $25) and then it's really perfect. If I were to buy again, I'd probably go for carbon fiber, but that's not this monopod's fault.
30 of 31 found the following review helpful:
 Bogen-Manfrotto compact 4-Section MonopodMay 12, 2007
By C. Davis
"Loves Gadgets"
Although I've had this for a few years, I would highly recommend this monopod along with the optional swivel head. This is a sturdy, professional quality item and is great in those situations where a tripod is not feasible. The monopod is especially nice with a video camera that has 20x zoom capability. The greater the zoom, the shakier the movie. This unit is also strong enough to double as a walking stick when you are on a photography hike.
17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
Very NiceAug 09, 2008
By J. Hayward
At $60, this monopod fit my price range, I have a Canon 30D and use a 100-400 L lens at airshows and other sporting events where I need more stability than hand holding but a tripod is impractical.
The 680B does a perfect job. It's relatively light and sturdy. The monopod has quick release locks for the legs, which was a must for me. I don't want to screw and unscrew to achieve leg adjustment. Either with wingnuts or the barrel twist type
I use the Manfrotto 322RC2 joy stick head on it with great success, but I have also used my Manfrotto 486RC2 head..........the joy stick is more versatile.
It comes with both a 1/4" and 3/8" screw depending on what your camera requires.
If you are working in sand, where I sometimes do, Manfrotto makes an optional Spiked Foot for more stability.
At full extension without your head attached, it measures 60 inches. Colapsed it measures 20 inches w/o the head attached.
Without a doubt I would buy this monopod again.
As usual, Amazon had a great price, free shipping, and no tax.
Amazon rocks!!!!
14 of 14 found the following review helpful:
Excellent value, needs a design tweak for perfectionAug 11, 2008
By Richard Lewington
Per the other reviews, this is a fine buy for the money.
The only minor caveat is that, unlike Manfrotto's tripods, there are no locking screws in the top platform. This isn't an issue if you're screwing the monopod directly into the camera/lens mount, but is if you're planning to mount a ball or tilt head on top. Without the locking screws only friction stops the head unscrewing.
See all 53 customer reviews on Amazon.com
| | |
|
| |
|
|
|
