Manfrotto 680B Monopod 4-SCTN Replaces

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

Four section Manfrotto 680B Monopod featuring sure rubber grip, wrist carrying strap, quick action lever leg lock system with 45° run, large 60 mm camera/head platform with plastic cover and dual 1/4” - 3/8” camera fixing screw. This replaces the Bogen Manfrotto 680.

It really helps you out when you are shooting in low light conditions, say under 1/60s. It also makes for a good walking stick when not in use, if you are shooting outdoors.

Most Helpful Manfrotto 680B Monopod Customer Reviews:

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars - What a back saver!!!, March 4, 2008 By Grant Brummett

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.

Overall Rating

Size and weight :
Sturdiness :

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.