Customer Reviews

Manfrotto 680B Monopod (4-SCTN) - Replaces 680 (Black)

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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!!!!

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.

I purchased this product and took it on a road trip to 11 national and state parks in Utah .It worked flawlessly and also served as an adjustable walking stick on miles of trail hikes(yes it is built to take quite a bit of abuse)!
By the way I attached an old threeway swival camera mount from a broken tripod on top of the manny and I would strongly recommend you add a ball mount or other form of swival( the manny accepts two common screw thread)to yours since it increases the utility of this product a 1000%!
I was shooting down to 1/4 sec. with no noticeable jitter on my 8x10 prints however I am very steady( hold breath, squeeze trigger lightly as if your shooting a gun at a traget, use camera self timer when possable).
This is no tripod so if you want rock steady shots use the tripod!! However, for pictures on the go it beats luging a tripod around on the trails and set up time is a snap compared to the tripod.

Bogen-Manfrotto always makes solid products, and this one is no exception. I use a Nikon D200, usually with a Nikkor 17-55 lens (fairly heavy setup), so this monopod is probably overkill, considering that it can hold like 26 lbs. I have used it on a pack trip (where weight matters), and it is light and compact enough to carry. I'm amazed at how tightly all of the components fit together - there's no wobble at the joints, the clasps are tight - this thing is totally solid.

The clasps for each section work excellently, but for speed, they aren't the best. I haven't seen anything better out there, but it sure would be nice if they would make these clasps a mechanism that you squeeze to release each section, for speed and ease of use. That way, you wouldn't have to activate these clasps to adjust for a photo. Wishful thinking.

So, great product - strongly recommended - especially for those with heavier gear (pro bodies + telephoto/heavy lenses). Probably overkill for entry-level DSLR's.

I some what shoot professionally for for a couple non-profit organizations around the world. My equipment consist of Nikon D300 and D40X, with two heavy lens, a 70-300mm and a wide angle 18-200mm and a video camera. I also had a knee replacement recently and need a strong monopod/walking stick. After much thorough investigating, I decided to get the 680b with a Manfrotto 234RC Head Quick Release. All I can say is WOW. This combination is so awesome and extremely strong. I highly recommend this mono pod for a person that is more than a casual photographer....thx, C

Good parts: It's sturdy, it feels like it will last a long time, securely attaches to camera, quick, smooth telescoping action, good quality, easier and quicker to set up than a tripod, great for the price.

Not so good parts: I feel it's not all that useful without the separate head so you might as well figure that into the cost. You can't shoot profile, which I do, a lot of the time, very well like it is. Without it the tilt head, it's just a big ol' handle sticking out the side and is awkward.
It's a little heavy for backpacking - might go with a carbon version instead if money isn't the deciding factor.
The rubber tip on the bottom is rounded so getting a good grip on a surface like a rock, or anything that is solid, flat is difficult. It wants to roll or slip on me. A flat, swivel foot like I've seen on some tripods would be much more stable. I may try to find something at the hardware store, or photo store and alter it myself.

My info: I use a Canon EOS Rebel XTI, usually with either a 100mm macro lens, or 28-135mm. Avid hobby photographer hoping to turn pro when I retire from my current job. Shoot a couple hours daily. Will probably buy the extra head and modify the foot and continue to use this monopod some of the time.

So the "Peacemaker" arrived today.

This is the first monopod i have ever bought. I was not sure what to expect.

To say this is study would be an understatement. You could easily use this bad boy for home defence. Simply select the amount of "reach" you want with this snappy cugdel by extending the legs and you can wreak severe havok upon any unfortunate intruder who had the mistake of choosing your house. And after the carnage and chaos, you can use it to steady the camera to snap a few fun photo's of the aftermath.

That aside, it is relativly light and straps to my flipside 200 pack with ease. The leg locks are strong and secure and you can tell this will hold some weight.