I do a lot of Run-and-Gun video shoots and while the tripod works well, it's relatively heavy and takes some time to set up and move. Some times you cannot spread the legs and must use it as a monopod anyway. I tried a shoulder pad kit but was disappointed with the results. This monopod, with it's tiny legs provide a reasonably stable platform that's easy to move around a site. The height is reasonable for most shots, although I could do with another foot for going over hand-waving crowds.
Very well made, as you would expect from Manfrotto. Longer, larger and heavier than I expected, something suitable for supporting a big heavy camera. But I'm not sure why you would mount a head and camera that big and heavy on a monopod or even in the short-legged tripod configuration. The monopod is converted to tripod by unscrewing the bottom cap, extracting the cap with attached legs, then screwing the cap back into the monopod with the legs exposed. It screws into place with the legs in a fixed configuration. The leg angles or lengths are not adjustable, only suitable for use on level surfaces. If you use the tripod configuration in sand or dirt you will get sand in the end-cap assembly. Use on level hard surfaces is fine. Clean the tripod feet well, before using it on carpet. The legs might have oil or grease on them when first used. The top has a 3/8 inch adapter, outside of a 1/4inch inner attachment screw for you to add a ballhead. The first used 682B tripod I purchased I eventually destroyed by trying to wrench-off the 3/8inch screw to get at the 1/4inch inner attachment screw. After I had foolishly discarded the tripod with mangled 3/8 outer adapter, I discovered on the new replacement 682B tripod that the outer 3/8inch adapter is spring-loaded, not a screw-on adapter. If you want to attach a ballhead with 1/4inch connector, just press down and screw-on the 1/4inch ballhead and it will push-down the spring-loaded outer 3/8 adapter as you screw-on your 1/4inch ballhead. I have now used the 682B monopod a dozen times in a room with low-light conditions (requiring slow shutter speed) and many people milling around at close-quarters (not unlike a wedding or graduation ceremony), where a regular tripod with legs at wide stance would be obstructive and a tripping hazard to bystanders. The 682B with tripod feet extended is self-supporting and works fine with cable shutter release. DON'T WALK AWAY FROM IT. STAY WITHIN ARM'S LENGTH WHILE USING IT, AND ACTUALLY HOLD ONTO IT IF YOU ARE GOING TO LOOK AWAY TO TALK TO BYSTANDERS. IF THIS TIPS OVER WITH YOUR CAMERA ABOARD... The monopod allows very quick height adjustment when there are only moments available for the shot, instead of having to adjust up to 3 leg-lengths on a regular tripod. Thank you for considering this honest assessment. I think I found real value in using the 682B monopod.Read full review
My main interest in it was because of its ability to stand on its own. Awesome monopod with an option to use it as a tripod -- brilliant design to hold your gear. Great height when fully extended. Too bad with flipped out legs it can't be adjusted to various terrain/height, but holding your gear on a flat surface it does nicely. Great for places where you wouldn't think of bringing a full-size tripod: i.e. museums, public events, etc.. Very sturdily made, though some might say it's a bit long when folded and a tad on a heavy side, but the only way to get stability and solidity is by having some weight. (Paper tripods are of no use to anyone.) Naturally, though relatively stable with its "auxiliary" legs engaged, I wouldn't trust it with a super large telephoto zoom unattended - it's a common sense and it wasn't designed for that - but holding your smaller rig is where it shines. Highly recommended if you think your next shoot might need both, a monopod and/or a tripod.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It's heavy. If you are using it for travel, just prepare yourself a strong backbone and legs to carry it around. It's pretty long against other comparable monopods. The leg stands are not really stable. If you have a 70mm and up lens, probably will sway abit once you press the shutter. However, it has a really sturdy built, enough to beat someone to death with this one. I am really much in doubt that TSA will let you take this as carry-on to the flight. But if you just use it as monopod and not carrying it that much, then it's not a bad monopod, since its weight lends a help for you to stabilize the shot, just not led go of your hands when take the shot.
great product
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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