Bogen 560B with Velbon PH-368 head a beautiful combination for portability at DVinfo.net

Roger Shealy · November 12th, 2009, 08:01 PM

I found that the Bogen 560B-1 monopod combined with the Velbon PH-368 head to be a great combo for the 7D. The total monopod package weighs in around 2.5 pounds, collapses very small, is very sturdy, and the head is buttery smooth. I lock the base of the head and use the 560B's fluid foot to pan which works very well. And it all fits on my backpack containing the 7D with the kit 18-135mm , 4 additional lenses, 4 batteries, a Hoodman, 2 chargers and a lot of other goodies!

I have 2 other PH-368 heads and find them to be extremely smooth, though short on features. It works very well coupled with this monopod for mobile use which was one of the main reasons for me getting a 7D in the first place!

Jon McGuffin · November 14th, 2009, 06:46 PM

Roger,

Thanks for this post and sharing those images. That's a very sweet little setup you have there!

Jon

Matthias Krause · November 15th, 2009, 01:50 AM

Why do you use such a big head on a monopod since you will never be able to pan propperly anyway?

Chris Hurd · November 15th, 2009, 02:45 AM

Very nice... which backpack is that, Roger? Is it a Tamrac?

Andy Wilkinson · November 15th, 2009, 03:19 AM

Looks like a Lowepro Flipside (they do 3 sizes, I think, a 100, but certainly a 200 & 300). Think this is one of the larger ones - was looking at it last week in Cambridge so that's how I know. I bought a Tamrac Areo 75 which is also excellent.

Roger Shealy · November 15th, 2009, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthias Krause

Why do you use such a big head on a monopod since you will never be able to pan propperly anyway?

Matthias, certainly a monopod, even this one with the feet, isn't going to be as stable as a traditional tripod. If you consider it versus hand held, however, it's quite nice. The Velbon head is extremely smooth, costs $34, is plastic making it fairly light. The following is a behind-the-scenes clip I shot yesterday using only this monopod. I had to work around all the lights, reflectors, cords...., do it quickly and fit in spaces where a traditional tripod would have been a barrier to many of the shots:

I have several traditional tripods, but for high mobility work this is a combination that's hard to beat. The Bogen 560B-1 comes with a 234-RC head that doesn't have a fluid tilt. It locks and swivels like a still-camera head. I find that I need to do compound pan/tilt's too often to constrain myself with that head. The pod's base has a fluid panning joint just above the foot that pans very nicely. I just lock the Velbon head's pan control and use the Velbon head's tilt in concert with the pod's pan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Very nice... which backpack is that, Roger? Is it a Tamrac?

Chris, this is a LowePro Flipside 300. It has just the right mix of room, exterior size, and real back-pack features like nice padded straps, sternum strap, and adjustments that allow you to carry it for long trips or just use the top handle as a traditional kit bag. I also appreciate the little tripod pocket that pops out of the base to hold a monopod or tripod foot along with a top strap to secure the body of the pod to the pack.

Brian Luce · November 17th, 2009, 11:15 AM

I'm a big mono pod fan too. And I have a back pack set up like yours. How do you attach you monopod to the pack? I haven't come up with a good method yet.
I use this pack Amazon.com: Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent): Camera & Photo

Roger Shealy · November 17th, 2009, 04:39 PM

The LowePro has a little pocket that extends out at the bottom of the back to hold a foot (or feet if small) and then a strap near the top of the back to hold the column of the pod. The pocket folds and tucks into a pouch on the bottom of the pack when not needed.

Brian Luce · November 17th, 2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthias Krause

Why do you use such a big head on a monopod since you will never be able to pan propperly anyway?

My monopod doesn't have feet, so I don't even use a head, you can pan just fine actually.

Scott Shama · November 20th, 2009, 02:22 AM

Hey Roger,

Can you mount a bogen 577 quick release plate on the Velbon head?

Thanks,
Scott

Roger Shealy · November 20th, 2009, 04:31 AM

I believe you'd have to attach the 577 to the Velbon's quick release plate's camera lug which is 1/4". From what I see the 577 has a 3/8" bottom thread. That's easily resolved with a 1/4 to 3/8" thread adapter. One comes with the Velbon (integrated into its base) that you will take off to fit on the monopod's 3/8" base.

Good idea. I may try that myself so I can hopefully use my other 577 plate on my other Bogen pod in the 357 adapter (I would think that would work).

November 12th, 2009, 08:01 PM	#1
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	Bogen 560B with Velbon PH-368 head a beautiful combination for portability I found that the Bogen 560B-1 monopod combined with the Velbon PH-368 head to be a great combo for the 7D. The total monopod package weighs in around 2.5 pounds, collapses very small, is very sturdy, and the head is buttery smooth. I lock the base of the head and use the 560B's fluid foot to pan which works very well. And it all fits on my backpack containing the 7D with the kit 18-135mm , 4 additional lenses, 4 batteries, a Hoodman, 2 chargers and a lot of other goodies! I have 2 other PH-368 heads and find them to be extremely smooth, though short on features. It works very well coupled with this monopod for mobile use which was one of the main reasons for me getting a 7D in the first place! Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Roger Shealy; November 12th, 2009 at 09:17 PM.

November 15th, 2009, 02:45 AM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Very nice... which backpack is that, Roger? Is it a Tamrac? __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 15th, 2009, 03:19 AM	#5
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Looks like a Lowepro Flipside (they do 3 sizes, I think, a 100, but certainly a 200 & 300). Think this is one of the larger ones - was looking at it last week in Cambridge so that's how I know. I bought a Tamrac Areo 75 which is also excellent. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

November 14th, 2009, 06:46 PM	#2
Jon McGuffin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 634	Roger, Thanks for this post and sharing those images. That's a very sweet little setup you have there! Jon

November 15th, 2009, 01:50 AM	#3
Matthias Krause Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 203	Why do you use such a big head on a monopod since you will never be able to pan propperly anyway?

November 17th, 2009, 11:15 AM	#7
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	I'm a big mono pod fan too. And I have a back pack set up like yours. How do you attach you monopod to the pack? I haven't come up with a good method yet. I use this pack Amazon.com: Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent): Camera & Photo

November 17th, 2009, 04:39 PM	#8
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	The LowePro has a little pocket that extends out at the bottom of the back to hold a foot (or feet if small) and then a strap near the top of the back to hold the column of the pod. The pocket folds and tucks into a pouch on the bottom of the pack when not needed.

November 20th, 2009, 02:22 AM	#10
Scott Shama Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 399	Hey Roger, Can you mount a bogen 577 quick release plate on the Velbon head? Thanks, Scott

November 20th, 2009, 04:31 AM	#11
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	I believe you'd have to attach the 577 to the Velbon's quick release plate's camera lug which is 1/4". From what I see the 577 has a 3/8" bottom thread. That's easily resolved with a 1/4 to 3/8" thread adapter. One comes with the Velbon (integrated into its base) that you will take off to fit on the monopod's 3/8" base. Good idea. I may try that myself so I can hopefully use my other 577 plate on my other Bogen pod in the 357 adapter (I would think that would work).