Manfrotto 561bhdv Question
 

This is the video monopod with head and small legs that's been reccomended by Dan Chung and Phil Bloom. In the specs, it says that the weight capacity is 8.8 lbs. I'm interested in it for my 7D rig, but with everything, the rig weighs more( almost 11 lbs).

I've got it mounted on a Mark's Photo 2 handle grip and a set of rails. the camera, one lens, rails, grip and ffocus weighs about 8 lbs. Add on the zoom, a monitor and battery, it's around 11 lbs.

Is anuone using it successfully with that much weight? Any other head options with the sticks ofr more weight?
Thanks
Bruce Yarock

I have that monopod. It's a great little unit. However, I don't think I've ever gone over ten pounds on it. The monopod doesn't stand up by itself anyway, so I'm not sure what part would fail under excessive weight. Perhaps the head? Perhaps the leg locks? The foot joints? I dunno. Perhaps you should just order one from BH & if it's seems unstable, you can always return it - unless, of course, it disintegrates beneath the weight of your mighty rig.

For that amount of weight you need the Manfrotto 562B.

Get the 562B... I've got it, works great, has the little feet... it's rated at something like 17 lbs.

Liam and andrew,
Thanks. That looks like it's the rught one. It doesn't have a head however. A guy on another thread reccomended the original mnafrotto with a velbon head

"I've found the Bogen 560b-1 monopod with fluid foot ($130) combined with a Velbon PH-368 head ($35) a great combination"

Would one of these heads work well with the 562b?
Bruce yarock

No Bruce. Don't go with the Velbon. It won't support the weight plus it's a pan and tilt head - you only need tilt with this monopod as it has pan built in.

The monopod is the same for both the 562 and 561. The heads are detachable and replaceable. So, if you have both the fluid tilt head and the quick release place you'll have both options covered: for lightweight loads you can use the fluid head and when you're packing the whole kit go with the quick release only configuration.

Liam,
I'm a bit confused. When I look on b+h, the 562 doesn't come with a head. There is a "swivel- tilt monopod head' accessory for $23. Is that the one I would buy for lighter loads? Is there another option for tilt when using the full rig?
Thanks
Bruce Yarock

Actually, I put a Velbon pan & tilt head on mine so I could control the resistance of the pan. I find it much easier to pan with the head, rather than twisting the entire monopod.

Lance,
Which velbon head did you use? Also, how much does your rig weigh?
Bruce Yarock

Is there a similar model monopod they make with a quick release for lenghtening it?
Bruce yarock

I bought the 561bhdv and replaced the head with a 501. Works great and much easier to pan and tilt.

I have to ask why? And the same goes for Randy above.

Why buy a pan head and use it with this monopod? It seems like a waste of money. The main feature of the 6561/562 is the fluid cartridge in the base that allows you to pan. This means you can hold the monopod and operate the camera whilst panning. With a pan head you can't do that. Also, if you wish to use a pan and tilt head why not get a normal monopod?

Try shooting with one and you will notice the difference. I'm able to get much smoother pans as the 501 head is definitely better than the feet of the monopod when it comes to panning. I've had the monopod jerk before ruining a shot due it having low viscosity while I've never had the issue when I switched to the 501.

Plus a fully kitted out 7D is much too heavy for that small head to handle. I have much more smoother pans and tilts.

I have mine setup so that it has enough resistance to still provide feedback but it will pan enough. I also tighten down the feet of the monopod quite a bit so it would take quite a bit of downward force coupled with a twist to get that to move. I can operate the camera and pan just fine with this setup.

Again, I wouldn't dismiss it until you've tried it. ;)

Randy, you misunderstand me.

My question is why not use a cheaper monopod with the 501 head. If you're not using the features of the 561/562, why pay the premium?

The feet/base is very sturdy and allows me to do quite a bit of leaning without slipping. I also took the 701 head and put it on my gorilla pod. :)

Is it possible to do timelapse with the 561bhdv?

If not, what is the lightest monopod/tripod that will let me do timelapse with a 7D.

I'm tired of carrying my big Vinton with an SD22 head around (a monster!!)

No. The 561b is not a free standing monopod, it will fall over.

If you don't need the height, just about any table top tripod will do for timelapse. Sometimes I just use a beanbag and put the camera on a rock or other raised surface.

I bought the 562b ( thanks Liam) and used it shooting footage at my brothers' harness horse training farm in upstate NY . I am realy impressed by this rig, and used it for everything, since I didn't bring a tripod. Although I broiught salong my shoulder rig, i never used it. The 3 legs make all the difference in the world. I've never been happy with any monopod before, but plan to use this with my other cameras Canon H1 and A1) at any events where I need stabiliuty and the ability to be mobile.
I had my 7d, zacuto z finder, rails, an accessory bracket, and sometimes the Tascam 100 recorder and marshall monitor. I velcro'd the wireless receiver to the bracket and gaffer taped my shotgun to the side.Now all I need is to figure out where to hang a light.
I think I'll get a fliud head ( I agree Randy), because panning with the monopod is just not as smooth and controllable as I need. I did use it, and some pans were ok, while others were a bit jerkey.
What is the lightest, quality fluid head, I could us with this monopod? It is supportinhg a hefty rig and accessories.
Thanks
Bruce S. yarock

What is a Mark's Photo 2 handle grip??
Thanks
Norm

I'm a little confused by this discussion too and have a couple of qustions.

1. Which head comes with the 561BHDV monopod?

2. I was under the impression that you used the fluid head more for tilting and the monorop enabled smoother panning, is this incorrect?

3. Part of my confusion is regarding the quick release plate, is it the same on the 561BHDV and the 562B?

4. And isn't that plate the MA577? The MA577 is the same plate that the 504HDV and 701HDV heads use.

5. Doesn't the 562B basically have the MA577 Quick Release Assembly bolted to it?

I have an extra 701HDV head that I was hoping to put on the Manfrotto 562B that should be easy enough to do right?

Sorry about this, but I find the way Manfrotto [or their distributors] describe and number things to be a little frustrating.

Thanks

Not to take this off topic, but it is pretty funny when someone writes a sentence about smooth pans and includes the Bogen 501 head!!! Not the first choice in video heads when it comes to smooth pans.

OK, back on topic. I have this monopod and find it very hard to use with my 70-200 F4 L IS lens. I have to turn off the IS to make it half way usable.

I would be afraid to try to use this monopod with such a heavy payload at 11 lbs. I would think that it would be hard to keep steady.

Daniel Weber

Norm

http://www.marksphototools.com/

Ask for ark and tell him Bruce Yarock reccomended his products.

Chuck
I have the 562b, which is rated for a heavier load than the 561b. It came with a docking bay and plate that looks like the 577, but is wider. Therefore, nothing with the standard plate will lock in, so i took it off and replaced it with a standard 577.

Then I took a 501 head off of my glidetrack and tried it on the 562b. While you can get fairly decent pans with just the monopod, you get much smoother with a fluid head on top. You can also tilt with the head, and you can't with the 562 alone ( although you can tilt the whole pod in any direction).

All things considered, I'm rally happy with the 562b, mainly for its' mobility and ease of use.
Bruce S. Yarock

Thanks Bruce.

I was hoping that the plate was the same so I could use it on other supports. As long as I can take it off and replace it with the 701HDV head i'll be OK. I have a 501 as well but I thought it was a bit big for a monopod.

I ordered the 562B and hope to get it this week.

Chuck,
You can replace it with either head, or a 577 bay. The bay and plate that came with it are useless, because they don't match anything else.
Let me know if the 701 is enough, because it's lighter and a little cheaper than the 501, and I'd like to know before I buy another 501.
Bruce Yarock

Hi Bruce, how'd your green screen go?

I just got the 562B, replaced the camera plate that came with it with a 701HDV head. I don't want to sound like a giddy T-ball player who just got his first base hit but this thing is cool.

Its a bit bigger and heavier than I thought it might be but it is solid and smooth. The 701HDV head isn't the greatest for panning but I locked it down and used the monopod for pans and the head for tilting with a 70-200 f4 IS lens and it worked great. I'm sure by now most of you have seen my airplane and car videos so you know I'm not the best camera person, so filter my feedback through those rose colored glasses, but I'm quite encouraged by this piece of equipment.

After taking the base plate off of the 562B I put it on my Manfrotto 501HDV tripod to mount my jib. The fact that its a bit bigger works great except for one minor setback, it doesn't pan. Doh, that sucks. Anyone have any suggestions how I might resolve this?

Chuck,
The green screen shoot wnt well ( I hope). I used 720 60i , but I won't know for sure if that was the right choice until we do the keying and editing. It's a wacky spoof commercial. and I'll post it when we're finished.

I took the 501 hdv head off of my glide track and tried it on the 562B. I really like it both for panning and tilting. It makes the thing heavier, but gives you solid slow panning, or you can lock it down and us the pod itself.

I did a shoot in upstate New York 2 weeks ago, and was really surprised that I was able to get the whole thing done with the 562b. I didn't have the head yet, and there was intermittent squeaking noise when I panne that was picked up on the rode mic. But otrher than that it worked fine.
And the beat goes on.
Bruce Yarock

In comparison to the 561bhdv feet, it's as smooth as butter. An unfair comment if you have no idea what people are comparing things to. 501s are a huge step up if the person has just come from some cheapo tripod like a velbon or silk. Maybe not all of us have had such good fortune as to use $1,000 video fluid heads and have to "slum it" on our 501s. Care to mention your "first choice in video heads" for the same price range and bang for the buck? I'm definitely open to suggestions :).

I'm happy with the results I'm getting with my monopod AND shooting with the 70-200 f/4 IS lens on my 7D with the setup I have currently. I have also used allen wrenches to tighten up the ball joint on the foot much more as well as put a dab of WD40 using the pen, not the spray can. If you have a spare 501 lying around, I'd say at least try it for a few shots and see how you folks may like it. Maybe it's just my personal preference that likes the weight and way it performs on the 561bhdv monopod *shrugs*.

Good to hear Bruce! Glad you tried it out :). I had a few fellow videographers/cinematographers think it was a bit over kill but they tried it and loved the setup as well.

Cheers.

Randy,
It's a great rig for the 7D. I wish I had it back when I was shooting a lot of weddings with my Canon H1....I could have moved around quickly with more stability than a shoulder rig.
Bruce Yarock

Hey all.

Going to get one of the Monfrotto monopods but trying to decide which one. I will soon be receiving a Panasonic GH1 and will be using it with max the kit lens (14-140mm), zoom h4n, and possibly a microlight or a sennheiser wireless - so I'd guesstimate around 4 lbs total.

The 560B seems perfect but maybe a little too lightweight for the set up (if my guesswork's off). It also sounds as though the 561 is a lot sturdier and thus should give more stability. Correct?

The 561BHDV also seems great but a lot of you are saying the pan movement is not great. The Velbon head on the 562 is another option (the 701 head + 562 is a little pricey for my first investment in a monopod) but not sure how good the tilt/panning it on it.

That said, I'm not sure how much panning/tilting I'd be doing with a monopod in any case ... can't imagine it'd be that smooth regardless of the head.

I know it is unlikely, but can I use the camera plate from my Sachtler DV2 head (measures 2.4 x 1.8") on either the 561 or the Velbon head. I can't find the specs for the 501PL plate.

And finally, are you still enjoying the monopod?

Thanks.
Dave

Still enjoying my monopod + 501 head combo. Happy with my pans and compound moves versus just tilting around with the monopod. A 701hdv head would be just as good if you don't want to source out a used 501.

If you're going to be shooting HDSLR, a good monopod setup will go a long way. Spend the money once and be happy with it. That's my advice. If you need bigger guns in the wedding event industry to give the a-okay, Mike Wong, Konrad Czystowski, Patrick Moreau, Bruce Patterson, and the list goes on all shoot with the same monopod (sans 501 head though). There's a reason why the 561bhdv is considered a "standard" piece of kit for event filmmakers as a general consensus, it does it's job well.

Cheers

Does anybody know what the difference between a 561B and 561BHDV is? Seems like the 561BHDV is the newer version but specwise there doesnt seem to be much difference

(found a new 561B for around half the price)

I have both and they are the same monopod. The side knob to control tilt-friction looks different but functions the same as well. The head, feet and post feel the same to me and I use them every weekend.

perfect thanks!

The heads are different. The 561bhdv looks like a 701hdv minus the fluid panning while the 561b looks like small 501 with a 577 adapter on the top. Like Raymond mentioned, their locking mechanisms are different. The 561bhdv has a one like a 501/503 type while the 561b has one like the 577 adapter.

Everything from the below the headis the same.

Pardon my ignorance, but could someone tell me what the benefit of the feet are? Is it just to be able to pan?

The feet help stabilize it and makes it almost as sturdy as a tripod, but much easier to move. Add a fluyid head like a 501 and you've also got tilt and smoother panning.
Bruce Yarock

Yep. Without the feet, the monopod will slip like crazy at the worst possible moments. The difference is night and day.

Thanks guys!

Worth it without the 501?
 

If I can only afford the 561BHDV and not the 501 (or some other head), is it still worth it for shooting a wedding? We'll have two low-to-medium grade Manfrotto tripods and a Merlin for some eye-candy, but for my walkaround workhorse, will the 561BHDV (with a 7D mounted) suffice?

I've also considered renting a should-mount, but this thread and some other articles have convinced me this monopod is the way to go.

Z-Finder necessary?
 

Also, 1 more question. It'll be an outdoor wedding in mid-afternoon (albeit early fall). I've been looking for an excuse to rent a Z-Finder. Would the 561BHDV + Z-Finder be a totally useless/awkward combo?