Monopod, but why?

[@stevehassall6862]

Hi Ben, great vlog as usual, can I say what a novelty that a KZbin photography vlogger buying their own gear and not being given "freebies" , I know I'm only jealous of them 😢, anyway I've got a 3legged thing tripod that I can take a leg off to use as a monopod and its brilliant, I've also purchased the 3legged thing DOCZ foot stabiliser which is worth it's wait in gold. I use mine mainly while I'm photographing kingfishers when I've got my sigma 150-600mm lens on. Another question, on those track days can anyone go to take photos or did you have get special permission??. Keep up the great work and don't take that lovely audi onto the track 😮

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

Thank you so much Steve. I’ve got the basic 3 legged thing, Leo, and I can’t rate it, it’s really not as good as I thought it would be, I love their heads though, with the L bracket, I stick on top of the manfrotto, odd combo but works for me, maybe I need to upgrade from the Leo though. It’s always worth checking on the track day website, but the main tracks, hosted by MSV are free and you get access to everywhere with no permission needed. The marshals are generally really helpful too and will let you know of the best areas. It’s really recommended. Oh don’t say that, I’d love to get it on there, but up against that yellow Ferrari, yeah that puts me off! Thanks again Steve, all the best. 👍

[@nigelwood4579]

Another great video Ben. Informative, helpful, and some great cars too.

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

Thanks mate, appreciated. Oh the cars were awesome, certainly the mustang and the cortina. 👍

[@badger67]

Wot! No motorbikes!! I thought I'd stumbled across Top gear 😋😁. You got some cracking shots there. To be fair, I wouldn't have a use for a monopod as yet, but never say never. 👍

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

High praise indeed, thank you very much mate. No, I was the same, but like you say, never say never. Thanks again mate, all the best. 👍

[@craigpiferphotography]

I bought a cheap monopod years ago and rarely use it, but it does come in handy occasionally. My best use was likely when I was tasked with taking photos at a concert and a tripod would not have been suitable. I was actually able to put it on the armrest of the seats in front of me, which negated the effect of the sloping floor in the theater, and got me out of the aisle as well. Definitely can be a handy piece of equipment.

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

Thanks Craig, I actually didn’t think of concerts, but yes that would be great at for that. I’ve seen your latest video pop up, which I’ll be watching later today, hopefully. 👍

[@neileverett5183]

A great set of photographs Ben. I was interesting to see what you thought of the monopod. I do have one I have had years. It’s an old aluminium Manfrotto one it’s built like a tank but still works well.

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

Thank you so much Neil, really appreciated. I think for specialist events, it’s amazing, for landscape, not so much. Yeah I’ve got a manfrotto tripod and it will not die, when I think it’s time for an upgrade, a simple wash, bit of WD40 and it’s back in the game, sturdy too, so I imagine the monopod the same. Certainly an interesting bit of kit. Thanks again mate, all the best. 👍

[@neileverett5183]

You are very welcome Ben. Yes I have a Manfrotto tripod yes I know what you mean about how they keep going.

[@bcegerton]

Hi Ben, I’ve been thinking of going to Oulton Park but had a rough few months, I’ve a monopod I’ve had for about 5/6 years, not used it for at least 4 years, I’ve used it at Blackpool Air Show, also for bird shots when I ventured near Liverpool Castle on my mobility scooter, it’s a Manfrotto one, probably same as Neil’s as it’s also built like a tank but I’ve got another on my tripod, one where a leg comes off but don’t think I’ll even attempt to try that one as it’s a K&F Tripod and I’ve already had to get a replacement leg, I wouldn’t buy another that’s for sure. Can you just drive round to the different areas whenever you feel?

[@hughwolfe1176]

Great shots Ben. I've been thinking about a monopod, just couldn't justify one for my type of photography. But now that Ive seen one in use it puts a new light on things. Thank you for the practical review of a product, very helpful.

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

Thank you so much Hugh, I can recommend it, providing your shutter speed is a little higher than a tripod and less than handheld. Thanks again mate and all the best. 👍

[@tuftyhill]

Hi Ben you got some great shots with that monopod and I was going to ask for the make but you showed the brand at the end, maybe you should add an affiliate link for anyone interested. Did you use any stabilisation on your camera/lens or did you leave it off? I shoot wildlife and visited RAF Lakenheath recently (I'd highly recommended that location but it's down in Suffolk and like the Mach Loop don't fly at the weekend. They have the F15's and F35's based there) and I was shooting at 1/800s + and kept IS on but never really know if I should or not 🤔 Is stabilisation only needed for slower shutter speeds? I've visited Oulton Park a few times when the cars are racing but I'd love to visit when the bikes are on. They definitely do better in camera club comps.

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

Thank you so much Paul. In answer to your questions, I tend to always use stabilisation when I’m moving the camera, handheld or on the monopod, but whenever it’s on the tripod (remaining still) I turn it off. I should do a video on the difference, with it on and off. I know the times I’ve left it on, there has never been an issue, I might just be lucky on that though. The brand is koolehaoda, I didn’t really specify on the video because there are hundreds of different brands that are all possibly the same, but this one certainly works. The bikes are great to shoot, you’ll be surprised how much faster they are too, so if you can, get to an event with the bikes, you won’t regret it, just take lots of memory, you’ll need it! Thanks again, it’s really appreciated. Hope I’ve answered your questions. All the best mate. 👍

[@tuftyhill]

@@BenMcDonaldPhotography I always have plenty of sd cards with me especially after buying the Fuji XH2s that can shot at 40fps in RAW!! I tend not to use that speed though because before you know it your card's full ☺ I generally shoot around 8fps as I find that's enough

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

@@tuftyhill Blimey mate, that's some shooting at 40 fps, I thought I was using it fast at 8 fps. 😀

[@tuftyhill]

@@BenMcDonaldPhotography 🤣

[@stevescott6634]

Thanks for sharing Ben some cracking images. If you manage to have a track day try to be lucky enough to have a pro driver as a passenger just like shutter speed they will tell you breaking points corner speed track undulations to get the best experience. Best wishes 👍

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

Thank you so much Steve. I was fortunate enough to do a little bit of racing with Mazda, entered a competition and did a few driving days with them, they covered a lot. I’ve done a couple of track days since and originally bought the TT that’s in that video for track days, however it was in too good of condition to use it like that. Although every time I’m there, I’m tempted to enter it on the next event. 👍

[@bcegerton]

Hi Ben, I did already leave a comment but can’t seem to find it. Been looking at going to Oulton park for a while now but had a rough few months with one thing or another, can you just drive from one area to another whenever you like? Looks like track days are a good time to go as there doesn’t seem to be many spectators, probably just friends and family of the drivers I guess. Quick question, when’s the best time to visit the Mach Loop? Plus, where can you find out when they are going to be flying through?

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

Oh no worries mate. Yes you can drive around the whole of the inner track, on the outer parts you need to walk, but sticking to the inner is possibly the best. And yes track days are very quiet, apart from the pits, where there is a great buzz. The Mach loop is a bit of a nightmare if I’m honest, I’ve been when there are loads flying through and other times when there has been nothing in the 10 hours. Plus the regulars always say that they’re expecting certain planes, but they never happen. A scanner looks to be the best way to go for it, or possibly flight apps on the phone work too, but to be honest, it’s best just going and getting what you get! All the best mate, hope you’re all on the mend.

[@bcegerton]

@@BenMcDonaldPhotography Getting there, A&E last Sunday, back at Docs for change of antibiotics today, still waiting on COPD diagnosis.

[@billingalls1940]

You didn't follow your own advice! In a previous video from that track, you emphasized taking along extra high-capacity memory cards. I can understand wanting to try out the Audi, but ...

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

I know, I know! I was nearly there and remembered I’d left the second card on my desk, gutted. Yeah possibly just need to take some brave pills and get it on there. All the best mate. 👍

[@Kiwicruiser355]

Wait untill you become an ' old fart ', you will appreciate the monopod then. I do find mine usefull, especially after having spinal surgery, even with a light 70-300 lens, the monopod takes a lot of weight off my back and hips. It can double as a walking stick when I start up the hills.

[@pedrosanchez4035]

2 mins in and you still have not made it to the meat of the video... gave up watching. Nice pictures, but ... where is the frigging monopod?

[@BenMcDonaldPhotography]

Yeah I wouldn’t bother with anymore then! Best if you stay away from my content.

[@pedrosanchez4035]

@@BenMcDonaldPhotography A two minute ego driven intro, four mins and you're still not getting close to the answer to the question asked in the title. Well at least I nudged you over 800 views.