Customer Reviews

Manfrotto 790B Modo Photo-Video Monopod

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm not a big fan of steadying devices for cameras, believing if you can't hold it steady enough, crank up the ISO, raise the shutter speed, open the aperture, or go directly to tripod. However...I'm currently using a Nikon D80 with a 80-400 lens and found that even with Nikon's Vibration Reduction, I was losing the hand held battle in moderate light conditions with the lens at full extension. Hence the monopod purchase.
I used it for three hours this morning and it works just fine. It is lightweight, quick to extend and retract, long enough to accomodate me without stooping (I'm 6'1"), and solid.
An unexpected plus...I attached the monopod to the lens pod mount, and discovered the fully retracted monopod to be an ergonomically pleasing 'handle' that enhanced the camera's balance.
What's not to like here? This product is well built, does everything it's supposed to do, and is fairly priced.
If you need a monopod, I suggest you give this one a try.

We purchased this monopod for our l9-year old who regularly shoots weddings, family Christmas pictures, etc. He absolutely loves it, especially it's size when it "scopes" down so fits easily on his camera case backpack. He says it allows him to do so much more with his camera.

I ordered this based on reviews, size closed and weight. I'm very happy I ordered this. As a matter of fact I'm ordering a second one a soon as I finish this review. One for traveling and one for carrying in the jeep so I'll have it when I need it. It's sturdy enough for a Nikon D40 or D90 with an 18-200 zoom lens and gives you just the right amount of support for the job. Especially when coupled with the VR lens. It's just great. Now like others mentioned ... the strap is crap. The webbing used is too stiff for the buckle to secure. Trash it and pick up a lashing strap at your local REI or backpacking shop. Trim to length (a little longer in my case) and you can use it as a wrist strap ... and the Monopod can be used as a light duty walking stick inbetween shots. It comes in handy for pushing brush out of the way to get that just right spot for the just perfect shot. If you need a monopod ... or just want one. This is the one. So small and light weight you don't mind carrying it along. I even pop it in my messenger bag to use when I need a steady shot with my point and shoot in the factory overseas.
Besides it's a Manfrotto and well represents the quality level you'd expect.
Update ... see photos ... I picked up the rubber walking tips for Leki treking poles (REI $9/pair) and they fit snuggly on the tip of the monopod. This gives you a more durable tip to use this monopod as a light weight walking staff. WORKS GREAT. I put some silicon sealent in the top of the tip after my first use. This keeps the dirt out. I also keep the lower section with the tip fully retracted. That's the weakest section and works out perfectly height wise for a walking staff. I'm just under 6 foot.

Received this as Christmas Gift. Works great with my Digital SLR. Helps steady the camera. Have used it on the beach on a very very windy day. great photos. Also serves as a walking stick. Am very leased with the product. Easy to operate and lightweight. Collapses to fit in a suitecase.

I had this about 1 year before it broke. The top most locking clamp broke right at the hinge and now it is useless. I'm a big Manfrotto fan and this not their typical build quality - this is a bottom of the line monopod.

When it was working I found the last (smallest) section was too small to use. Because this is not a round tube, it is oval, the small section is not stable at all, it wobbles a lot with a heavy camera and glass on it. The foot is also so small it sinks into all but the hardest turf.

If you have a consumer model Canon Rebel or a Nikon D40'ish camera this will probably be OK. for me it is just too unstable.

I was looking for a monopod small enought to fit in a back pack. I was amazed that this did as good a job as the larger Bogen monopod I own. I can use it with a 70-200 lens with great results. I researched just about every small monopod out there.

I was a little disappointed with this at first--it's small, so, it's relatively short compared to most other pro favorites: With my camera attached, it was a little too short for me, even at my 5' 9". My answer, of course, is to attach a decent head....

The item is very high-quality, yet it indicates that it's made in the PRC (China). As mentioned before, some top-paint, as well as the strap, do come off, and, the top cap is difficult to deal with: That cap isn't appropriate with a head, so, for these three faults, I'll deduct a star....

The item is anything but bulky: It attaches really smartly and unobtrusively to packs (it may even fit in certain packs' water-bottle pockets) and camera bags: Using the 790B generally is superior to hand-holding....

In trekking, sometimes it may be wedged in rocks, or otherwise, for even better steadiness--hikers don't desire the bulk and weight of a tripod, even a lauded over-priced carbon-fiber version. With some ingenuity--given most cameras--the 790B could replace a tripod in trekking and a few other activities!

I am very happy with this monopod. I bought it to use with my camcorder when visiting Disney World recently. I picked it because the collapsed size was several inches shorter than all of the other similiar units. This made it fit very nicely in the standard bookbag/backpack I was wearing around. It was also very light, which helped after a long day of carrying. Extend quickly and easily. Note that this is NOT one of the units that can double as a walking stick. The trade off with the light weight and compact size is that it feels a little "flimsy". Since it is a monopod and you are holding it anyway, that is not a problem. The clamps that hold the extensions gripped firmly, so I never felt that it would collapse or slide down on me. I used it at multiple heights with great success (while standing watching fireworks, sitting on bleachers watching a show and sitting on the ground along a parade route. I highly recommend this if your needs were like mine.

I received this monopod as a gift in 2008. It is very light and suits me well. I used it on 5 or 6 occasions. However, two of the plastic tightening clips have broken rendering the monopod useless. The parts broke when I simply tried to tighten the sections the way it is designed to be used. I did not even force the clips.

I have used many tripods in the past and had this type of problem on two of the cheaper models. I had anticipated that the Manfrotto brand would be a higher quality than the tripods that had broken in the past. After thinking about this, I have concluded that the plastic is not sufficiently strong to tolerate normal day-to-day tightening and loosening.

The Amazon listing does not state the warranty of the product. I will request repairs from Bogen and see if they cover the cost of the repair.

When I first saw monopods in person I was surprised at how large and thick the professional models were - like a pipe. I was looking for something smaller to support a 1.5lb Nikon D90 kit. Then I saw the 790B and it seemed to be just what I had in mind. It's lightweight, but not flimsy. It's compact and easy to carry. The leg is actually oval shaped and the curved finger locks hug the leg , so it always feels somewhat flat. Finger locks are well made and operate much smoother than the other rickety no-name brands. Glad I read that other review, because the wriststrap really does slip right out of it's fastener constantly. I didn't really mind - one quick stitch on the sewing machine and it was good to go. Still, a great value for the price. Just stay under its 2lb weight limit. Glad to finally have that extra bit of confidence when conditions warrant a bit more steadiness.