Customer Reviews

Velbon UP-4000 Photographic/Video Unipod

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased the Velbon 4000 monopod while on a vacation to Alaska. I needed it to take those late evening shots that needed slow shutter speeds. It's wonderfully compact attaches easily to the camera base and I found it quite comfortable to leave attached to the camera as I walked with the camera strapped to my neck. It easily extended to any length. It was so useful that with a short trip to a machine shop I built an adapter so that I could take and use it as a shooting stick for my hunts.

For the Telephoto Camera user this is a must have item to capture those "Once In A Life Time" shots. Its much handier to use and carry than a Tripod. Everone should use one for every shot. You'd be surprised at the quality of your pictures, no more blurred shots from the shaking of a hand held camera. This Unipod is a basic model, but its all you need and it's advantage is that it is very light weight compaired to more elaborate models. The only thing you might want to consider adding is a Ball Head Camera Mount. Also at the end of a long day of shooting, with it's padded hand grip, you can use it as a Walking Stick!

This is a very nice accessory to have. As someone else said, a monopod is NOT supposed to stand on its own. You still hold the camera and it's meant to support it and reduce shake. I still use my tripod more, but for things like sports, plays, etc. where you really can't use a tripod, this comes in handy. You also should consider a head for it. I have a cheap Bogen 3232 that allows you to more easily mount the camera AND allows you to rotate 90 degrees in a jiffy. The only problem I have with it is that the sections sometimes get jammed and they are hard to pull out. This doesn't happen all the time, but does sometimes. But it's so cheap it doesn't matter. Also, make sure you extend starting with the top sections on down. This makes it more stable. That applies to all monopods, not just this one.

EDIT (2006-03-26):
After a couple more weeks, I have to downgrade this to 1 star.

As noted below, this is a headless 'pod and your camera attaches directly to the unit. Friction is what holds the two together and so the two have to be screwed together firmly.

The problem is this: the screw on the 'pod is a bit less than 1/4" long (4mm actually). This isn't long enough to get a solid connection with my camera (Olympus SP-500UZ) and the threads on the camera socket have been stripped by tightening the pod/camera connection. I can no longer use this 'pod with my camera.

If your camera can handle the short screw, this is a 5-star monopod. Otherwise it's not usable; 1-star (and don't bother buying it).

Unfortunately, Amazon won't let me change the product rating.

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I've been using this unipod for a couple of weeks now and I like it. Lightweight, sturdy, compact, great price.

My digital camera weighs just under a pound. When attached to the 'pod (it screws directly onto the top), the assembly can be easily balanced in one hand as I walk. Expand it fully and it gets a bit unwieldy, but nothing major.

I'm six feet tall. When the 'pod is fully expanded, the camera monitor is at my chin so I sometimes need to stoop a bit to get a good view of my shot. Not a big deal. Shorter folk can adjust the 'pod to exactly the right height.

A unipod is not going to replace a tripod for stability. But it has helped the photographs I take using 10X zoom, which is why I bought it. (I find the 'pod helps up/down; less so forward/back and left/right. All what you'd expect.)

I've carried a smallish tripod on past walks. The unipod weighs less and sets up easier. I like it better, even with the lesser stability. The clips are quick, if a bit stiff, and I can work them with my gloves on.

One thing to note is that the unipod is "bare head". Your camera will attach directly to the 'pod. There is no pan, tilt, etc., except for what you do by tilting the 'pod. This can be difficult when shooting shots close to straight up or down. You can buy add-on heads, but I don't know what that would do to the weight and balance.

I've seen a review someplace that mentioned using the 'pod as a walking stick. It's pretty sturdy, but I don't think it would stand up to trail abuse. And I sure wouldn't like my camera getting jarred every other step!

The foot of the unipod is a plastic bumper. It screws upward to reveal a small spike -- presumably for better traction, but perhaps because the designer had a fondness for James Bond-ian gadgets. No idea if the airline security folks would allow this as carry-on.

This monopod is built sturdy and is very cost effective. At a fraction of the price of other monopods, this one is well worth the price. The three section extensions of the leg seem to be made of aluminum or another hard metal, and are very stiff to give good support. The last piece of the leg can get wobbly at times, but this is expected since it is the most skinny of all the sections. The quick locks on the legs are made of plastic but are built well. They clamp strong and the legs cannot move once clamped into place. The bottom piece is plastic, not rubber, but is threaded and can be removed to replace with whatever type of material you would like. I would have preferred rubber, but this doesn't affect much for me. The handle is made of a soft cushion material which is angled to fit nicely in the grip of your hand. The wrist strap seems to get in the way most of the time for me so I took it off. Folds down to a relatively decent length for travel purposes. Highly recommended for a cheap price!

This is not the world's best walking stick, nor is it a tripod, nor is it a blunt weapon. However, ours lives in the car, and has served all three purposes quite well. If we're heading on a hike, and feel we might need to either have a little extra traction, or take some zoom or low light photos, or keep some "Oh he's just growling" off-leash dog away from our ankles, this is a great solution. If it were sturdier, it would be heavier. The only reason for 4 stars is I think it could be a little cheaper - but then again I have no QC issues, so maybe it's worth it.

I just receives my second Velbon UP-4000 monopod, replacing one I've had for almost fifteen years.

For twenty dollars or less, you can't go wrong, especially if you are over six feet tall. Fully extended, this monopod reaches to the point between my chin and lower lip (I'm about 6'2"). Adding a mini-ball head (you will need to) and quick release plate brings the viewfinder on my DSLR higher than eye level. Most monopods this long cost $60 or more.

It is also very sturdy, with aluminum D-shaped tubing, which means you can lean in on a fence or table-edge without it rolling off. The foam grip makes it comfortable to carry against your shoulder or use as a hiking stick, one of my main uses. The wrist strap is maybe a little small for some people, but another loop of something could easily be added. The rubber foot retract to expose a metal spike for hard, rough terrain and screws back down for indoor use. The three lever locks are very secure and easy to open and close.

Monopods are great to keep handy, not only to brace the camera for low light shots. I've used the timer and flexible monitor screen to hold the camera up above a crowd or over a wall...a cable or wireless remote release is great, too. I use mini-bungee cords to lash it to a tree or fence...lots of uses.

What happened to my old one? An internal plastic part on the middle lever lock gave way, this after nearly 15 years of hard use on steep mountain terrain as a walking stick. Not many things under $20 last that long. I was able to Gorilla Glue the joint shut, so now I've got a second monopod, still long enough for hiking, as a back up.

I gave this as a gift and my sister was pleased. It is her first unipod. She will be using it for a photography course through a local camera shop.

I don't have this unipod, but in response to the previous review - a unipod is not designed to stand on its own, somebody has to hold it.

people don't understand the use of a unipod. they're not supposed to be used in replacement of your tripod. you would bring this to a play, or something of that nature. to keep the camera from shaking. it's not supposed to stand on it's own.