Customer Reviews

Manfrotto 681B Professional Aluminum Monopod (Black)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this retail, and threw a 486RC2 ball head on it. Phenomenal build quality. The bottom section is wide, and there is a very nice rubber foot on the end that is as large as I expected.

I already forked over $65 and got a crappy monopod from B&H called a "ShotPod". It is only good for a stand to attach a remote flash to, and not for what a monopod should be for.

It doesn't collapse as small as the 4-section, but let me tell you that seeing them together makes the decision easy. The 4-section is heavier (more hardware), and the last leg (bottom-most) is very small compared to the 3-section. That also means the rubber foot is smaller, which of course means quicker wear, less stability, etc.

Get the 3 instead of the 4. Period.

I just got a canon 40D and am hoping to shoot some photos out on the soccer field. I bought this after hearing much about the Bogen-Manfrotto name. There are a bunch of similar looking monopods for sale, and I couldn't tell you how they all compare or differ from each other. Still, the price on this one was good, and I got it with the 3229 ballhead. The camera can mount to the monopod without the ballhead, but it just feels better with it, and also you can't tilt the camera sideways on the monopod without the ballhead on it, otherwise you are picking up the whole monopod. This may seem simple to some people, but I never had a monopod or nice camera before, so I didn't understand all these little things. I did take the monopod to some soccer games, and it made shooting nice and easy. I don't see how I could have done it without the monopod.

Overall, its a good quality item at a good price, so I am happy with it.

I've been wanting a monopod for my SLR Digital camera for quite some time. I'm currently shooting with a D300 and usually have a vertical grip and either the 17-55 f2.8 or 70-200 VR lens attached. It's just about a 5 pound package and a monopod is the perfect solution for certain types of shooting where you know you should not probably be hand-holding the camera. It's also nice if I want to travel a bit lighter and with less bulk than by hauling a tripod around.

I coupled this with the Manfrotto 234RC Head and think I made a great choice. The monopod is built extremely well. The two-section design is rock-steady and not as heavy as you might expect. When compared to the cost of a graphite monopod, I'll live with the "weight" of this and have no regrets.

The leg extension locks are sturdy without being difficult to use and in fact are easily handled. There is a really nice and long section of foam at the top of the monopod which makes gripping the monopod secure and comfortable. The dual 1/4" - 3/8" fixing screw is a thoughtful inclusion for those people that need a 1/4" solution.

It's a great piece of equipment and I'm giving it 5 stars.

You may also want to consider the 682 version which includes retractable legs. Amazon did not have this available at the time of my order and I'm quite happy with the 681B.

UPDATE: 5/14/2009- I am still extremely happy with this monopod. However there is one issue I need to mention: the wrist strap is constantly slipping out of the nylon "buckle". It's only a matter of time until I accidentally lose the strap because of it's tendency to come un-done out of the buckle. Other than that I love the monopod.

This product was advised to me from POTN.......photography on the net forums. Awesome group of people there. This monopod functions great, quick and easy. It is very sturdy and has really helped my percentage of keeper shots w/ 30D and shooting soccer. Very light and strong.....just wish it came with a case or bag....other than that, I recommend this versatile, lightweight mono!!

This monopod performs flawlessly. It is lightweight, sets up and adjusts easily and is the perfect accessory for supporting my Digital SLR when shooting in low light conditions where use of flash is not possible.

Very often you can't take a tripod, so this is the next best thing!

I love this Monopod. I use it hard, it's my walking stick on hikes everywhere I go. The harder the hike, the more I need it. And with most any of my lenses (and especially my Canon 100-400mm zoom) it helps a whole lot in steadying my shot! I take it everywhere because I'm getting a little older, and hauling a big camera and lens around all day can be a workout. It also makes me feel (a little) safer, walking through the city with 2K's worth of camera equipment hanging around my neck.

This thing is built well, solid, and simple to use. No problems, and if I ever loose it -- I'll get another right now.

I was looking for a monopod that was tall, strong and easy to use. After reading the reviews I took the plunge. I actually was concerned about the price being to low for a quality product. When I received the monopod I was amazed at the quality and attention to detail. The screw is unique in that the larger screw is spring loaded and slips down to reveal the smaller screw size - works great. The clasp are very smooth and tight. The monopod is very rigid even with my heaviest lens. This is an excellent monopod. I have owned two other monopods and had issue with rigidity, weight and clasps. These are no longer concerns with Manfrotto.

Bogen/Manfrotto produces very decent products for the money. Are they the best? No, Gitzo carbon fiber is probably the best, but at 3-4x the cost. If you are an avid amateur, this monopod represents a greta value. I purchased a Bogen 3011 tripod over 20 years ago and it still works great. Highly recommended.

Add a head to this monopod and it's great to have when you are using a telephoto lens and can't bring a tripod with. There are mutliple options for heads on this monopod and the swivel tilt head (Swivel Tilt Tripod Head with Quick Release 3229) is nice for when you want to save some money, but the ball head (Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System) is very nice for the smooth motion and angles it provides.

Pros:

Lightweight

Stable

Easy and Quick to setup and use

Cons:

Not as compact as a 4 section

Doesn't come with a head

Strap is flimsy

it gives a reasonable steady image as one pans across the scene; the camera screws nicely into the double adaptor, set up to take two sizes of fitting; is heavier than the walking sticks versions of monopods; a classy piece of Manfrotto construction though