Yuri's Favorite Photography Gadget: The Manfrotto Monopod

[FotomanCalgary]

I love Yuri's attitude. I've only been shooting models for a year, and when I started, the photographer I was shooting with taught me a lot. We were both with the mindset of sharing. Why hide anything at all? There's the internet...you can find out anything. He's moved on and not really sharing anything, but I know way more photographers now and we all collaborate. Keep up the great work Yuri!! Love your work and your reviews and info on the products!!

[xxcidiann]

Sorry gaffatape is not English DET DANSK(it's Danish)

[nosajarta]

Yuri, I was loving this video till you just skipped over some of the parts needed. You said that there may be six parts to your setup, yet only outlined 3 or 4. How do I get the entire setup. Thanks again.

[SuperLonney]

Looks like some thing I could use.. Thank you. \

[custombrackets]

@SuperLonney check out the Yuri Arcurs SteadyPod (his current setup) at w w w . steady-pod . c o m

[Theonegamefreak]

Funny how this does with media yet the video does not fill the video window..

or that's for artistic purposes..

[farhood21]

I love the design, but I can replicate stability with a solid washer, a bolt, and strong twine. The twine should be the length of your body and a little more to tie the bolt and washer to opposite ends. Secure the bolt to your camera and place the washer under your foot. Pull the camera to create tension and as long as there is tension there is stability. This apparatus costs about +/- 50 cents, is easy to carry and arguably more efficient than your design. Nevertheless yours is a great design!

[Purziani]

Gracias por tu información Yuri ... saludos de argentina

[Purziani]

Tanks Yuri...

[rezrocknj]

can you please breakdown all the parts in a list under this video Maybe links to each item. How much did you buy all this for. I know the price might have chance since you made this video, but I have to get this and I need a ball park figure.

[999ej]

Thanks a lot for the post... It helped me make my decision.

[MrCJ1988]

what monopod you suggest then? because i noticed you pointing out a lot of the disadvantage and i am looking to buy my first monopod. please help :) thanks

[polarbear60]

@MrCJ1988 I am getting that crappy one! It's very functional!!!

[kevinhanpye]

GET GITZO!!!!!

[MrShaz2cool]

so many elements in this review lol

[music2012]

Very good that he's honest about the Manfrotto, I got the 503 head and tripod and it broke the first time I opened it right out of the box, what a piece of junk.

[TryThinkingAboutIt]

Useful, thanks

[rooflz]

Complete BS, I usually save comments for more positive occasions but my god I hope you mean when your shooting with a super telephoto. Please people by no means do you need a monopod.. This guy is a walking talking paid advertisement

[markdstump]

Thank you Yuri!

[cubeproduktion]

you should get manfrotto's better monopods

[viducce]

Thanks for the great and honest review.

Got inspired and bought myself the 685b plus the 484rc. Handles quiet well and of course its much better than handheld, but how to hold a monopod really steady?

[custombrackets]

@viducce Yuri no longer uses the 484rc, he now uses the Custom Brackets Tilt Head CB

[TryThinkingAboutIt]

@viducce I find jamming it up against a fence or firm object a real help: sometimes against my foot or leg if that's all that's available. I once jammed it up against my wife's back: it was really windy - she acted as a wind break - yes, there was plenty of leg-pulling when we told our children.

[TheDustinash]

why would he call the monopod a peice of crap if Manfroto paid him... ? Any photographer who knows what they are doing has got to see the genius in this creation. You may not like the extra bulk of such a device but his concepts are dead on the money.

[PhotographerMN]

Yeah I use that Mono, it looked like it would break all the time. I liked its concept though. I know my Gitzo may not be as fast but its not going to break or stop working in water.

[PhotographerMN]

@PhotographerMN Personally use the Gitzo G1564. Gitzo makes some of the longest lasting tripods and mono pods in the world. I buy most of my equipment from National Camera Exchange in Minneapolis they can get anything Camera, Video related. You'll want to pick out a mono pod the has a load rating that will match your cameras weight and that it will work in the environment it will be in.

[Morrgore]

The guy's got a point

[JohnLRice]

That was great, thank you for your insights! :-)

[DreadaDenDread]

eeeeaaaaannnnd aaaa......

[chirpybee]

Manfrotto didn't pay me and I love my monopod on the camera - even just using it as a handle is great

[ScribblesOfOwls]

How much does that go for? I am picking up a cheap one today at a discount store obviously it doesn't compare but i wanna test it out before i get it.

[karonxls]

Thank you for your videos,I needed to see this one. I use a monopod, however I knew I had to be missing something. Thank you for sharing with us your tips.

[zasvedogovore]

He is Canon!

[aleksandersandstrom]

@zasvedogovore ... and hasselblad.

[TheDewantoro]

I want to have it...its so handy to keep the camera steady.

[TomSka]

NO SATAN, THAT'S TOO MUCH SUGAR.

[bt465]

...35 sec in (CORRECTION) it is NOT wrong... i wouldnt call it lucky either... i would call it talent,,, (steady hands ) wutever,,, i dont think anyone will hold anything against you for using a monopod,,, dont go out your way for recommending a product.... just because they pay you or something.... a true instructor will tell you not to get caught up in the gear hype....

[DGrieux]

I finished building the monopod and still didn't sell a photo. So don't bother to build one, obviously it doesn't work :)

[DGrieux]

@goldtna

For stock photography judges who examine the photos are very harsh. So your judgement about a good in-focus picture may be different from Yuri's.

[braveandtall]

I have one and used it very rarely and it BROKE! The head fell off the sticks. It was being held there by some dumb piece of plastic. NOW WHAT. We tried to glue it on but it fell off again.

[custombrackets]

@braveandtall did you call custom brackets? I bet they would be happy to help you out. We never have problems with it falling apart. Very few warranty fixes ever needed

[hopeariipusheinakuu]

"essentially... this is a piece of junk" always pleasant to see a straightforward review :)

[IceBlack406]

haha he says gafatape, haha hedder det ikke på engelsk !!

[biasvoltage]

Man, a real review.  I always want the downsides and this was really honest.

[custombrackets]

Yuri's new setup: The Yuri Arcurs SteadyPod

Custom Brackets, along with Yuri, have designed an exciting new studio and on location camera setup. This system allows the camera to rotate from horizontal to vertical and to tilt forwards and backwards when attached to a monopod or tripod. For the Tilt Head, we have introduced an industry first, separate lock and drag knobs for the most precise control possible. It also includes the Manfrotto 685B Monopod.

Purchase @ steady-pod . com

[SupaGreenCat]

i love the way this guy advertises his products

"this is crap"

"this is great"

"this is wierd"

"this is really handy"

[TryThinkingAboutIt]

@SupaGreenCat Try listening to what he says... not one of the products he reviews is manufactured by him... not one. He may well own them, but he doesn't make them. And that's what adds weight to his review.

[SupaGreenCat]

@TryThinkingAboutIt gee thx captain obvious,

I was just pointing out the kinda contradicting diversity in what he was saying

[xxbluejay21]

@SupaGreenCat its not his product lulz

[unidigistudios]

I really find monopods stupid, me and my dad have one, and we have never EVER used it. I can easily go to 1/3rd of a second by hand, and still produce sufficiently sharp pictures, it might be my shooting style, idk, but my shooting style only needs a wide angle lens (Canon 17-40 f/4 L ftw!!!) and sometimes a tripod :) o...And a canon speedlight 580 EX flash :D Thats all I carry arround

[blickblocks]

@unidigistudios Yes, because you're using wide angle lenses. Even in bright daylight, a telephoto could use the extra help. Every stop counts.

[Jez2008UK]

Thanks for telling me the Neotec is a piece of junk, would you mind telling me which one to get then ??

Cheers !

[Aldehyde74]

i want to buy the 2 damage manfrotto monopod, and fix the junk

[0Skydiver0]

Thanks very much for your time and sharing your knowledge.

[zubertish]

Yuri, to help with the screw loosening issue I use Locktite screw locking liquid. Or Threadlocker. I believe both these products not only help the screws seize in place but they also allow one to back out the screw if needed. These products can be found (usually) in a local home hardware store in or near the household glue section.

Suggest one focuses on one screw at a time so the whole handle-rig doesn't fall apart. Thanks for great videos!

[TheVideosfactory]

good video thanks

[sinoperture]

It all depends what you shoot. I use one only for slow shutter blur shots. And I don't shoot stock. I shoot real life - so no chance to use one. With developers like rodinal and DDX you can get great film speed. Stop down and with a high shutter. And it's not hard to use zone focus so am rarely out of focus anyway.

[breadloaf]

That camera is sick!

[larisamarr]

Very useful! I agree!

[crowne]

my name is Yuriy too

[ambdesign]

Depending on the lens you're using this could be vital.

Starting @ 400mm you'll have a rough time hand holding sharp photos. The longer your lens the harder it is to steady. And the faster SS you need in order to produce clear shots. At 400mm you should be using 1/400 as a minimum. 1/640 if your camera has a crop sensor. And thats if you're steady.

Even on sunny days, maintaining ISO 100-200 and a high SS with that length is annoying. Anything that makes more % of your photos usable is a good.

[glenrob123]

@ambdesign yeah righto

[flashonstudio]

Agree with Yuri 100% on that the robber foot of my neotec got lost in the first shoot (didn't tape it, duh.). "Essentially a piece of junk" now.

[impactcr]

bustum bracket ?

[badmanners411]

03:59 Monopod off the ground.

[NightforDays]

@badmanners411 No, he extended the monopod taller, then it locked into place, then he leaned on it and took the shot. Replay it over and over; you will see the monopod lock into place. Really cool.

[badmanners411]

@NightforDays Thank you, I was mistaken. Cool!

[tanwk123]

hi anyone know how much is the custom bracket that yuri was using at this video? where can i get it from? i'm from singapore so i not sure where can i get it

[ragnarocking]

@tanwk123

Don't know if they'll ship to Singapore, but you can get it from the manufacturer themselves (custombrackets com) or B&H Photo. $270 for starters.

[ragnarocking]

@tanwk123

forgot to mention that it's called the "Digital Pro-SV"

[inventorable]

My manfrotto monopod quick clamp broke and they did not have the courtesy to answer my many emails. I tossed it and got a Vanguard that is terrific. NO more Bogen for me.

[Frosty1962]

I've got the same Mono-Pod. I like it but Yuri is right the rubber foot comes off way to easy.

[patrick5489]

one question do you work for the company?

for the guys that don`t want to pay this amount of dollars for a tripod or ball head

i have this one from vanguard, very good staff and buil like a tank.

cheers

[TozzerReport]

Very nice and useful video. I can't afford the bracket tho so I'll stick to landscape and crop :)

[alfie1025]

Interesting that folks who are NOT the single most successful stock photographer in the world can criticize the man who is!

[cubeproduktion]

@alfie1025 i don't get it

[ziryab92]

@alfie1025 People have a right to criticize + Yuri is not the only experienced photographer in the world. Constructive criticism never huts anyone...

[AlphaSphere]

@rhddrifter / @handsomelok

I Agree, In low light it can be hard to get sharp pictures but the guy is NOT talking about low light situations. He's just saying that it's impossible to get sharp pictures without a tri- monopod in general.

If you can afford a Hasselblad you probably have some kick ass studio strobes like the top of the line Elinchroms or Broncolors. With those bad boys you don't have to use slow shutterspeeds.

[agun17]

Gaffa tape?

Ever heard of superglue?

lol.

And seriously... if you buy that kind of camera then obviously bussiness is good.

When business is good you can go make a custom monopod stick.

[AlphaSphere]

"Anybody that claims they can shoot freehand and get sharp images. It is wrong."

Eeeuuh You're wrong. I can get sharp pics shooting freehand just fine. And so can Joe mcnally, Chase Jarvis and many other pro's.

[handsomelok]

@AlphaSphere I think he Joe McNally, Chase Jarvis has years and years practices , and therefore they can have sharp pics without having any support...

For those of you shot LOW light, or aren't used to hold harvy DSLR Monopod or tripod is recommended.

[rhddrifter86]

AlphaSphere, you forget that Hasselblad and the such don't have VR, IS, or sensor based stabilization like Sony, Pentax, and Olympus. Chase Jarvis can take it easy with his 4 stops of compensation; medium format users though, can not.

[TwistedShrapnel]

holy crap! a hasselblad! O_O

[aardee7777]

which lens is this ??? is it a HC 2.2/100

[Aofex]

Any other suggestion for the monopod? If it's crap, I am not sure I would spend money in it.

[Aofex]

Do you really need the ballhead? Can't you just incline the monopod?

[oilhammer04]

Good question . . . . I don't see the need for the ballhead either.

[91philippe]

Thank you for all the videos

[b0roryjfok3]

In the hands of a working pro that uses the thing religiously, and in hazardous-to-your-gear environments (like in saltwater?!), the Manfroto Neotec will die, and it definitely has a short life expectancy.

In the hands of the casual weekend shooter, the Neotec will last many years and handle your DSLR support needs quite well.

I think what Yuri is trying to say is that he loves it when it works, and it works until it doesn't...

[fizzwhiz80]

Just trying to make sure I understand all the pieces he mentioned:

-Manfroto Neotec 685B

-Manfroto 484RC2 ballhead

-Rotating Custom Bracket PRO-SV and CMP plate

-Handle for the Bracket...Custom Brackets PG Palm Grip

**what I'm not sure about is that someone commented about a Wimberley head....do you need that in addition to everything listed above??

**with the bracket,

[Bl4ckVV0lF]

So, basically it is a piece of snot ... right ?

[dvanasek]

Uh, I'm a bit confused, do you like the monopod pod or not?

[shrimpinpat]

if that thing is crap how the hell can you pay 150 for it?

[Logoblinkdotcom]

I like Yuri's videos :) So useful and with cool music.

[reyda921]

Does anyone know where I can get a cheaper version of the bracket, the wimberley head is about 500 bucks...HELP!!!!!!

[DGrieux]

Bustom Bracket, Bustom Cracket, Custom Cracket, Custom Bracket :)

[spstudios01]

After watching this video I bought the NeoTec, exactly what I have been waiting for. Up till then I have used various Manfrotto Pods and they end up not being used often. The NeoTec goes with me everywhere now. Great peice of kit. You can get spares for this Pod if parts get lost or broken.

[yyyy2999]

Is he using a hasselblag? Someone give me a modle please

[ProPhotography]

Hasselblad H3D 39mp

[zxbcx]

apparently hes gettin a 64 mp :D

[markus1030]

Hasselblad H3D

[shrimpinpat]

the model is sex basicly

[photodelic108]

good video

[ramone011]

:) so Manfrotto didin't pay him :)

[dcnutter]

Well not sure they would want to after he spent the first half of the video trashing their monopod. LOL.

[SmalltimR]

@ramone011

HAHA! if they did, it would be his last payout :p

It's junk!

[l33thustla]

why you buy shit stuff like that pod when you have camera that cost like a nice car?

[rudiwells]

because it's the only one of any "decent" quality that goes up and down so easily. remember that this guy puts these things through hell, for hours a day every day. for a semi-pro the monopod is awesome, but on this guy's level yes, it's junk, but he can afford to replace them when they burn out.

[l33thustla]

But there should be a "decent" monopod for this guy too :S Perhaps costum made monopod, made by titanium or materials they use for aircombat planes :D

That should be decent strong.

[DoctorWeeTodd]

Yeah, it's common sense that a heavier monopod would be steadier. However you don't need one super dense or sturdy.

What are you going to support with it? An IMAX camera?

Travel light, is my number 1 rule.

[l33thustla]

Carbon is light and strong, or is there other stuff you suggesting?

[DoctorWeeTodd]

I'm a big fan of carbon.

I don't mind plastic. It may feel flimsy, but it means a lot when you're trudging for miles with one or more SLRs and a few telephoto lenses on person.

[l33thustla]

Plastic pod?

[GAMaus]

Basalt

[yumsalad]

whaaatt?

[stunmunky]

where do you get that handle? The brackets shown on the website look like they might have one built in now

[rustynasty143]

Its a custom made wimberly products you can order it on the net.

[shadowblack1987]

It's you.

[mocircle]

I use that monopod and had the same problems. Lost a foot and the top pad tore up quickly. It is not as sturdy as other cheaper monopods because it has just a bit of play in it, esp. in the head section.

By the time you have added all of your accessories it seems you have made it very flimsy.

[SaintCase]

Blurry photos? Most strobes sync at 1/200th or 1/250th.

Unless your studio is setup that you need to be at 200mm from your shot, you won't need a monopod honestly.

This would still be damn helpfull outdoors for wildlife and sports or action though. Just not for studio use.

[SaintCase]

Mind you, he could just be honest, if you are doing 4 hours of shooting with the top cameras, or medum format. It will get heavy.

Avoiding camera shake at 1/200th, for what 85mm? Yeah, i can do it, its not luck, its just that i dont have parkinsons yet, and i'll move about and changes angles twice as fast as someone using such a complicated rig.

[fishliveroil]

i'm not sure but maybe what Yuri is talking about is that if you handhold the camera, you may end up where you autofocus on something that you wanted to focus on but by the time you press the shutter, because of handshake, the focus point moved onto something else, so that in the final picture, the focus ended up not being on what you wanted. i agree you won't have any blurryness if you're syncing to strobes...

[soupey]

umm haha how would you possibly need to avoid shake in a studio environment?

[projectgadget]

Thanks for the Manfrotto Monopod demo, I am going to pick one up and planning to use for video on the go. I am setting up a video studio and saw all the Manfrotto products and seem to be well worth the investment.

[ssfounder]

what's the name for that rotating bracket? I can't find it on ebay.

[nacknack8]

Custom Brackets Digital PRO-SV

[pSicadeLio]

Thank u man ;)

[speedracer68]

This piece really is a very useful piece. I built one with slight differences and it works like a charm. A huge amount of my shots dont have camera shake, which is not the case when i shoot without it. =)

[CorrectionDuBac]

ok but how much is it ?

[multashka]

good stuff.

very sexy man:)

[bighead0123]

he sounds like a really cocky photographer.

[LuXuqmz]

What're you talking about?

He just sounds like a professional who knows what he's talking about.

[JereHakala]

Oh wow "It's a piece of junk"

Lawl.

[PartTimePhotography]

Good stuff - I'll pass this along to all my newsletter subscribers.

[d1drifter87]

So In summary of the time wasted: IT SUCKS ASS!!

[xiongba]

This video does makes sense. Imho, brittle CF, titanium or even over hyped aluminium tri/monopods just cannot last. what you are paying is for the branding and the weightsavings. Give me a steel reinforced monopod anyday. Tough enough to pass to grandchildren and if needed can be used as a club.

[betawavetom]

I would like to see the model numbers and/or items of these 6 or 7 pieces.

[thowi1337]

Which custom bracket did you use in this video? I'm looking for such a thing a long time ago and didn't find such a compact one...

[petemayo]

Hello, I would say it is used to eliminate camera shake, which is a different element than Focus :)

Sounds like you are learned but not intuitive?

Basically, think of 'Motion blur' in photoshop. Say if you set your camera exposure to one third of a second, as you hold your camera, your hand shakes about for that one third of a second and blurs up the image, since the camera takes the entire one third of a second and melds it into a single image.

It is a good idea to stabilize a camera somehow:)

[alanwarp]

Sounds like you are intuitive but lack experience...He's talking about focus. When working with very wide apertures (thin depth-of-field) it is easy to move the camera between the time you acquire focus and the time you press the shutter especially if you use separate buttons for focus and shutter.

You will end up with OOF shots. And yes also helps with camera shake.

[petemayo]

Yep, :) I don't read or learn, I only pick up and do. Yuri starts off "Anyone that claims to shoot freehand and get sharp images, it is wrong." I thought he meant sharp = not blurred and freehand = no tripod, no monopod.

Maybe communication misinterpretation? :)

I can see the point you are making, if you are setting the ap, tv for say a bird, then the bird walks away you gotta pick up and move, but that point did not come across in the vid or the bwhatnall's question. ahh, who knows.