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Manfrotto Neotec Monopod W/Safety Lock
Overall Rating:
Oure Review
The lightweight Manfrotto Neotec monopod weighs only 699g and is 74cm when folded and has a maximum height of 170cm. It is also not only easy to use, but extends and folds extremely quickly, thanks to its groundbreaking opening and closing mechanism. It also has a foot pedal, which permits opening the monopod, while holding it with one hand only and the monopod lock automatically, without the use of twist locks or latches.
User Review
If you’re like me, you love to take pictures. Whether I’m snapping my kids in their superman pajamas, framing scenic shots while hiking or taking pictures of really memorable occasions like weddings, birthday and graduations, I keep my camera equipment handy. Because I like to take pictures of high speed events sometimes—(my husband plays hockey)—I’ve invested my money in a high-speed, high resolution camera. The superior shutter speed lets me get crystal clear pictures of even fast moving objects like hockey players.
Or at least it would, if I could hold still. To my dismay, no sooner did I start using my super-duper new camera, then I discovered that the high shutter speed meant that every jiggle and jolt from my hand translated onto the film, and not in a good way. So I bought a monopod. I had never heard of a monopod before, but it’s a pole that works like a telescope, that you use to prop your camera up on. It seemed like a great idea—support and steadiness that I could manipulate and move around. It was a good idea, actually, just like the camera had been, but just like the camera it came with its share of problems. I liked the concept, but putting it into practice was often awkward. I could never seem to get it set up quickly enough, and if I had to adjust the heights in the middle of taking pictures—forget it! It was a clumsy two-handed endeavor that took me far too long; so that the action was often over by the time I was finally in position to capture it. I also struggled with monopods that weren’t strong enough to support the full weight of my gear without becoming shaky.
Then I discovered the Manfrotto Neotec Monopod with safety lock. Manfrotto designed a clever one-handed adjustment method. You step down on the foot, grip the release lever, slide it up or down, and let go. Hey, presto! The whole thing takes hardly any time at all. You don’t have to twist anything or lock anything; it locks automatically as soon as you release the lever.
At 699 grams, this monopod is real easy to tote around or carry. It’s only 74 centimeters long when folded up, but will extend to 170 centimeters. When I’m trying to work quickly it’s invaluable, and I take it with me far more than I did any of my previous monopods because it’s not a pain in the neck to set up. I can hold my camera in one hand, while with one foot I step on the bottom pedal, grip the handle and pull up with other hand, and it locks into place at any height I need. Readjustment is just as easy. If you’re worried about accidentally deploying it while handling the camera, there’s a small safety lever that you push with your pinkie finger.
I also like the padded cover it has over the lower section. You can hold onto the monopod without freezing or burning your hands (depending on the weather), and it keeps it from slipping if you get sweaty. There’s also a suction cup on the bottom to make it more stable.
Another thing—this baby is strong!! No more rickety monopods for me! Manfrotto’s patented lock system and construction, holds up to even the heaviest cameras. You’ve got to admit it, if you’ve got an expensive camera with large lenses attached to it, it gets awfully heavy. I can still remember how tired I would get from taking those long-distance shots, which made it even harder to hold the camera still. And a monopod too weak to hold it up well is not that much better. I wanted to focus on framing my picture and catching that moment when the sun slanted in just the perfect way through the trees, not on supporting and balancing my supposed means of support!
My husband also uses our Manfrotto Neotec when he takes home videos, so that now his footage is smooth, instead of bumpy like it used to be. You can actually see what’s supposed to be going on, and he can pan in an arch, following a running child or just taking in a room, and the action is even and the picture very clear. We used to have trouble with digital video cameras that grew blurry every time we moved, but that problem is taken care of with our monopod.
Whether you’re a professional photographer or just an eager parent trying to get pictures of your kid’s soccer game, a monopod will make your pictures better and your video cleaner. There are a lot of monopods on the market right now, but for strength, stability and quick, easy action, the Manfrotto Neotec is unrivalled. It is the most technologically advanced monopod available!
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