Wildlife Photography

[BrandonsBirbs]

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

 

[mdees88]

View attachment 3428694

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Would any of you have any recommendations for decent monopods/tripods which won't break the bank? Looking for a budget of maybe £50 each, not much I know.

Monopod wise I am looking for something with a decent capacity (min 5kg) and maybe something that felts more natural/tilts? I use the Amazon basics one atm which is great quality but very much stuck in place.

Tripod wise, I was using the Amazon basics 170cm one but the QR plate snapped as its made from pretty poor plastic and couldn't support my bigma lens correctly. I would love one of those ball joints things but I have no experience/expertise with any of this stuff.

 

[mdees88]

Would any of you have any recommendations for decent monopods/tripods which won't break the bank? Looking for a budget of maybe £50 each, not much I know.

Monopod wise I am looking for something with a decent capacity (min 5kg) and maybe something that felts more natural/tilts? I use the Amazon basics one atm which is great quality but very much stuck in place.

Tripod wise, I was using the Amazon basics 170cm one but the QR plate snapped as its made from pretty poor plastic and couldn't support my bigma lens correctly. I would love one of those ball joints things but I have no experience/expertise with any of this stuff.

I bought a $110 tripod off amazon that could turn into a monopod. It was a yessbon zomie. It worked for a short time but then the monopod leg came unglued from it's mount. I gorilla glued it back then another tripod leg came unglued. I never trusted it after that.

I wanted to start using my monopod upside down in certain scenarios, holding my camera just above the ground/water. So I decided to buy from a reputable company. I bought a robus rcm-439 monopod (rated for 17kg). I liked it so much, after a couple years, I finally bought a robus 5570 tripod (quite expensive but much cheaper than really right stuff, gitzo, etc.)

I used the monopod way more than the tripod, but I still use them very little compared to handholding. Pretty much the only thing I use the tripod for is astrophotography and video. I would still recommend that monopod though. It's extremely sturdy and is a night and day difference between the flimsy cheaper monopods.

When looking for either, you want to buy one with the least amount of sections. 3 or 4 sections max. 5 or 6 section tripods fold up smaller but they are a lot more flimsy. Also ideally, you do not want a tripod with a center column. They are more flimsy and do not allow you to setup your camera low to the ground. Problem is most all cheaper tripods have center columns so you may just have to live with that. Just find one with the least amount of sections.

As far as a ball head, I bought an artcise qb40 (rated for 20kg) off amazon for $50 and it has worked very well. You can stick this ball head on your monopod, loosen it up and turn the mount 90 degrees, then hook your lens to it and you have full pan and tilt just like a Wimberley monogimbal mount. That's how I use my monopod.

You only need one ball head and you can easily swap it between the two. For me I use my monopod 90/10 over the tripod for wildlife (only use tripod for wildlife video). But I handhold 95/5 over using a support. If you plan on shooting wildlife from a tripod, a gimbal is works a lot better than a ball head, but the cheapest ones you can buy cost $100. On the monopod, the ball head will work just fine.

If you are happy with your current monopod, then buy a ball head, put it on it, and it will allow you to have the pan and tilt feature you want.

Go on bhphotovideo.com and check out their tripods. They had quite a few tripods without center columns that are over your budget but not ridiculously expensive.

I look at it like this. I didn't want to spend several hundred on a tripod so I bought a $110 tripod/monopod off amazon. It broke twice and I'm lucky it didn't destroy my camera in the process. It's now useless to me so I'm $110 down the drain. Had I just bought my $140 robus monopod from the start I would be much better off money wise...

If the only thing wrong with your current tripod is the mount then just buy that same ball head and swap it between the two. That might be all you need if you are okay with the stability of your current monopod and tripod. Or just buy the ball head first, and see how it works on your current gear. You will need it regardless of whether you upgrade or not.


Here is how the monopod works with the ball head on top....

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

I bought a $110 tripod off amazon that could turn into a monopod. It was a yessbon zomie. It worked for a short time but then the monopod leg came unglued from it's mount. I gorilla glued it back then another tripod leg came unglued. I never trusted it after that.

This is why I opted for the cheapest option as opposed to lower/mid range with the plans to buy a better one down the line. However, this monopod/ball head will be my gift for my birthday which we aim to have an £80-100 limit for one-another

I wanted to start using my monopod upside down in certain scenarios, holding my camera just above the ground/water. So I decided to buy from a reputable company. I bought a robus rcm-439 monopod (rated for 17kg). I liked it so much, after a couple years, I finally bought a robus 5570 tripod (quite expensive but much cheaper than really right stuff, gitzo, etc.)

Can I ask what the advantage is to doing it upside down as opposed to using a smaller tripod or laying down?

I used the monopod way more than the tripod, but I still use them very little compared to handholding. Pretty much the only thing I use the tripod for is astrophotography and video. I would still recommend that monopod though. It's extremely sturdy and is a night and day difference between the flimsy cheaper monopods.

I don't really use my tripod at all but I wish to try things like astrophotography at some point, the Amazon tripod is actually pretty good it's just the plate at the top is really cheap, really study base though. The monopod is pretty robust too but without the ball head feels very limited.

When looking for either, you want to buy one with the least amount of sections. 3 or 4 sections max. 5 or 6 section tripods fold up smaller but they are a lot more flimsy. Also ideally, you do not want a tripod with a center column. They are more flimsy and do not allow you to setup your camera low to the ground. Problem is most all cheaper tripods have center columns so you may just have to live with that. Just find one with the least amount of sections.

That's great thing to note! Thank you!!

As far as a ball head, I bought an artcise qb40 (rated for 20kg) off amazon for $50 and it has worked very well. You can stick this ball head on your monopod, loosen it up and turn the mount 90 degrees, then hook your lens to it and you have full pan and tilt just like a Wimberley monogimbal mount. That's how I use my monopod.

Coincidentally some of my saved ones are Artcise ball heads, I was thinking your choice is great.. get a good ball head and maybe better monopod if there's need/money for it later. I really don't use the monopod much (using my 300mm handheld primarily ATM) but when using the sigma 500mm handheld I can't get the shutter speed high enough to save it from my shaky hands. In better light I'm sure it'd be better but that's not happening apparently

You only need one ball head and you can easily swap it between the two. For me I use my monopod 90/10 over the tripod for wildlife (only use tripod for wildlife video). But I handhold 95/5 over using a support. If you plan on shooting wildlife from a tripod, a gimbal is works a lot better than a ball head, but the cheapest ones you can buy cost $100. On the monopod, the ball head will work just fine.

I don't plan on using the tripod for this, too much faff for me and when shooting I am always on the move!

If you are happy with your current monopod, then buy a ball head, put it on it, and it will allow you to have the pan and tilt feature you want.

Brilliant idea!

Go on bhphotovideo.com and check out their tripods. They had quite a few tripods without center columns that are over your budget but not ridiculously expensive.

Previously had to not buy from here due to crazy shipping costs but have similar sites here

I look at it like this. I didn't want to spend several hundred on a tripod so I bought a $110 tripod/monopod off amazon. It broke twice and I'm lucky it didn't destroy my camera in the process. It's now useless to me so I'm $110 down the drain. Had I just bought my $140 robus monopod from the start I would be much better off money wise...

When the plate snapped my bigma fell with it, if I hadn't moved closer to the camera it would've been a goner!

If the only thing wrong with your current tripod is the mount then just buy that same ball head and swap it between the two. That might be all you need if you are okay with the stability of your current monopod and tripod. Or just buy the ball head first, and see how it works on your current gear. You will need it regardless of whether you upgrade or not.

I think I will buy the ball head, then monopod if I feel I need one later on! Thank you Dee.

Here is how the monopod works with the ball head on top....

That's awesome!!

ARTCISE Low Profile Tripod Head,40MM ball Max Load 44.1lbs/20kg https://amzn.eu/d/hsOsLU2

Low Profile Tripod Ball Head, ARTCISE PB40 Max Load 44lbs /20kg https://amzn.eu/d/aUjDkgY

SIRUI DSLR Camera Tripod Ball Head, 10KG/22.05lbs Loading Capacity, https://amzn.eu/d/c1Vlcgt

Neewer Pro Metal Tripod Ball Head up to 17.6 pounds/8 kilograms (Black+Blue) https://amzn.eu/d/9gs3Jtf

NEEWER 44mm Low Profile Ball Head Tripod Head, Max Load: 55lb/25kg https://amzn.eu/d/0ljKOe4


My list, if you don't mind having a look when you have time! The last one looks awesome but would be £72 for me and honestly Neewer have such a mixed feedback idk if they're worth more than the others.

Thanks so much as always!

 

[mdees88]

Can I ask what the advantage is to doing it upside down as opposed to using a smaller tripod or laying down?

I have a unique way of getting some of my low angle shots. Using the monopod upside down lets me lower my camera from boardwalks, seawalls, and also lets me run the camera just off the ground while still sitting in my truck.

The following images were taken while I was sitting in my truck. The killdeer were very skittish when I was trying to walk up to them but since they were nesting near a parking lot, they were not that bothered by vehicles. So I drove up about 15 feet away from this one and got some close up, low angle images that I could not have taken if I tried walking up to her. If you zoom in on her eye in the second image you can actually see my truck.

Here is my setup. I operate the camera from an app on my phone.

All of those ball heads look like decent options. Since I've had good luck with my artcise I would recommend one of them. The only difference between the two seems to be the extra knob for fine adjustments. Mine does not have that but for Astro that might be beneficial for making small adjustments. I think I would lean towards the $59 artcise for that reason. My gimbal is a neewer, no issues with it yet, but I haven't used it much at all.