Opteka MP100 67" Professional Heavy Duty Photo / Video Monopod
by Opteka
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List Price: Our Price: $16.95 You Save: $13.00 (43%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Opteka MP100 67" Professional Heavy Duty Photo / Video Monopod
Customer Review: Great lightweight monpod for a digital camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I tried two other monopods before I settled on this one. I was looking for a lightweight monopod carry when hiking and biking with my Nikon D200 or Canon Pro1. The Pro1's 200mm equivalent zoom often requires support to eliminate camera shake when taking dawn, evening or deep forest (low light) photos. Even the Nikon's 18-200mm (27-300mm equivalent 35mm) VRII lens benefits from using a monopod.
The Pro1 weighs 1.5 pounds and the Nikon D200 3.5 pounds.
Here are the features the Opteka MP100 has that I consider important:
1. it's amazingly light weight
2. it's very rigid (considering the light weight) because the round leg has a locking channel
3. it's sturdy enough to use as a light walking stick
4. the quick action lever leg lock system means it adjusts height quickly which I find very important
5. the carrying case with strap keeps it from banging against another metal object when traveling
6. the 67" length allows me to set the camera at eye level (I'm 6' tall) even if I'm up on a step
7. folded up and attached to the camera, it can be lik a pistol grip
I've been using it for 6 months now and I'm very pleased it. I fold it up but leave it attached to the camera when I'm walking around, so it is always available.
At $13 it is a fantastic buy.
Customer Review: Excellent product. Definitely not reflective of it's low price.
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the Opteka MP100 67" Pro Photo/Video Monopod for use with my Canon HV30. The camera is equipped with the following:
- Raynox HD-6600PRO52 52mm Wide angle lens
- 43-52mm adapter
- Canon XH-A1 Lens hood (72mm)
- Rode VideoMic, Dead Cat
- Extended battery
The addl accessories puts the camera weight at just over 2.5 lbs. I am a review and forums nut. This monopod is just as described in most of the reviews. Good weight, sturdy, great full-length height and good foam grip. The unit is definitely not reflective of it's low price. It is very well put together. If I had to nitpick, I would only mention the hand strap. It seems to be the only flimsy part of the monopod. However, I don't see myself using that ever.
The only addl accessory I would buy to compliment it would be a video head. When I shoot video, I sway and angle the camera a lot. If I were to do more sustained vertical/angled videography (more than 45 degrees), the video head would better secure the camera during those shots.
All in all, a great unit. The low price point scared me at first (associating low cost with poor quality as it is with most things). But, this is not one of those cases. I would definitely buy another.
Customer Review: In this case, the old adage does not apply
Summary: 5 Stars
My son is a photography student and needed a monopod for shooting in low light situations and for indoor sports. After he personally tried and researched various monopods, he came to the conclusion that they only brand that he could both trust and afford was a Manfrotto/Bogen (the $100 and above models).
However, after seeing the price of the Opteka MP100, reading the specs (although I do question the 32.4lb Maximum Load Capacity) and having previously dealt with 47th Street Photo, I chose to take a chance on the Opteka. For the price, I figured that although it would be overkill for my point-and-shoot, if my son didn't like the Opteka, I'd keep it for myself.
Once I received the Opteka, I showed my son 'my' new toy. He immediately fell in love with it and, needless to say, it is no longer in my possession.
In conclusion; you'd be hard pressed to find a monopod as good as this one selling for less than $100. Would I trust a $5,000 camera and/or lens on this monopod -- probably not. But, I seriously doubt that I'd trust that same camera/lens combination on any monopod selling for less than $200.
In this case, you get much more than what you pay for!
Customer Review: Light use, a little flimsy on the switches, otherwise okay.
Summary: 5 Stars
I use this for high-quality real estate photography. It stays on my camera. When I'm doing panoramas, I just plant the rubber foot on one spot and turn it around for however many pictures I need. Keeping it vertical is fairly simple. Easy to pan.
Pros:
1) it's CHEAP. Not necessarilly poorly made, but inexpensive.
2) the little rubber foot works great indoors, the spike works great outdoors. I didn't expect this feature on a dirt cheap monopod.
3) the foam rubber grip is large and well padded.
4) adjustment levers are positive (though a bit flimsey)
Cons:
1) the thing stinks somewhat. Not sure what products they have but it has a peculiar odor to it that doesn't go away quickly.
2) annoying and useless lanyard ring. I took the handstrap off and used a rasp to file down the little plastic thingy that the ring went through. It kept on chaffing my hand while I carried the camera
3) the large plastic plate that goes against the camera turns for the last little bit as you tighten it. I'm worried it'll mark up the bottom of my camera.
Customer Review: No Better Deal
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are an average to active photographer or world traveler, you will love this monopod. It is lightweight, it is easy to pack and yet is sturdy and designed to last. With sure-lock sections it is easy to lock it at any height and the locks are tight--no sliding when you lean on it. I am well over 6 feet tall and it is wonderful to have my camera up so high. The tube construction is solid and does not wobble, and for added stability they have created a v-shaped channel to guide the folding but that channel also adds to the design for strength. I carry my camera around the world and most professional monopods are either expensive or heavy. This model gives the best of all situations. It weighs about 1 pound and easily fits onto my carry-on backpack--and handles accessories very easily. The bottom also has a fast turn to give you either a spike or a rubber foot. Yes, you could spend $180 on a nice carbon-fibre monopod but I haven't found one that offers me more than this mid-range model. For the average video camera or DSLR or digital camera, it handles well and is balanced and travels exceptionally well (and even includes a good case).