Not Your Average Monopod // iFootage Cobra 2 + Komodo K5

Today I'm sharing about the iFootage Cobra 2 monopod, the first monopod I actually like! :D It's not often I find something as boring as a monopod to be really exciting, but this one is since there is much attention to detail with it. I highly recommend it and think it'll be a great fit for just about every filmmaker, especially those who travel often or have heavy camera setups they want to use on the go.
iFootage Cobra 2 Monopod: geni.us/wFG1l7
iFootage Komodo K5 Video Head: geni.us/KkGs
Manfrotto MVH500 Video Head: geni.us/gizHx
Manfrotto Elements Monopod: geni.us/B4yS
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[@ActionRetro]

This is the best ad integration I've ever seen. Oh and nice monopod info.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Glad you like it! :D

[@MALIKHAKIM82]

The greatest ad sequence ever-BRAVO!!!!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha, thank you!

[@dougzauha]

Great vid! Love the ad sequence. I have two of the iFootage Monopods and LOVE them. Well built...great engineering...and it has so many options built into one monopod. I have put two together for that really high shot...was a little nervous about it snapping in half, but it didn’t. Again...you had a great vid like so many of your others. Please keep doing what you are doing so well!!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thanks, glad you liked the ad piece! :D And yes, they are so good! Glad to hear they don't snap in half :D

[@NightWLKR1]

You remind me of an American DSLRguide very calm and well put together, your videos are great and I’m so glad I found you and your channel

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Very kind of you! Glad you enjoy the channel :D

[@oniriscope]

Best add integration I’ve seen today! Okay i get back to watching your video.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Awesome, thank you! Glad you liked it! :D

[@airavearentertainment9186]

I watched this video a long time ago. Went through my Amazon wishlist, saw this monopod, and remembered this violin skit. This is the only time, ever ever ever…that I came back to watch a Sponsor skit. 😂 I loved it…

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Wow! I feel very honored that you remembered and even rewatched it :D So happy to hear that

[@grooveecard]

Love it! The product plug was well-played. Keep up the great work!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@juliangroves4836]

I just subscribed to you because I love the way you did that sponsor ad sequence for Soundstripe, very creative and great acting.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Awesome, thank you! :D It was a fun skit to put together

[@ManuelGoicolea]

Love the “short film joke add”🤣🤣👏🏼👏🏼

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha, happy to hear that! :D

[@ThomasFransson]

Love that quick release system!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Me too! super helpful

[@rubd-tz3wb]

I never thought you have an outside 😉 But wow! This is next level film/video making! I‘ve never seen such a cleverly implemented and funny advertisement, created with love and joy. And showing some use cases for the monopod adds the value to the video. Very well done. Keep going 👍 Greetings from Germany.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha, I know, I'm usually stuck inside! But it's been so nice out lately, wanted to be outside (too bad that rooster was so loud). Glad you enjoyed the video, even the sponsored bit :D

[@DeliberateGeek]

I just discovered your channel with this video. I'm much more of a still photographer, but occasionally do videos. I've become a big fan of the iFootage tripods & monopods, less so of their heads. I really WANT to love them as much as the various stands & arms. The build quality on everything looks and feels so solid, but each time I've tried one of their heads I've found something seemingly small that becomes a deal breaker. Keep up the great work on your channel!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I can see what you mean, The fluidity on the head of this one is ok but not excellent. Perhaps with time things like that will be improved. :D Glad you found the channel

[@yukuenchow2232]

great video and review, thanks

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@huyked]

Your sponsored bit was a transition I didn't even know happened until later. xD Subscribed just for that. :D Love your quality and humor, too.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ProPetPhotog]

Heather, I was going to message you about this monopod! You mentioned it briefly in a Chats n Stuff. The next day a friend messaged looking for a monopod recommendation. He bought this one and showed it to me last week. He loves the quick release, included tool, the spring loaded threads, small size and nice case. He hasn't decided on a head yet so I will share this video. I already have a monopod but am seriously considering this one for all these genius details. Thanks for sharing and I am glad you and Heather 2 worked things out with the violin rudeness 🤣

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Hey, look at that, worked out! :D I hope your friend finds what works best for them! :D Haha, yes, worked some things out... :p

[@christianhotter]

I want to see that other filmmaker's documentary. She looked familiar.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha! When its out Im sure you’ll know!

[@Shrave]

Loved the conversation with yourself!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Oh good! Haha, wasn't sure how it'd be recieved

[@peterviragphoto]

Epic sponsored ad haha😀😀😀 great job !

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thank you very much! Hope you enjoyed it

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

Loved the skit!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thanks! Worked hard on it

[@KathySierraVideo]

Thank-you for this!! 🙏

[@FellowFilmmaker]

No problem 😊 Hope you enjoyed

[@CharlesDunkley]

I've been wanting to come up with a different solution for talking head video recording other than the traditional tripod and this looks perfect! Such a smaller footprint and so much simpler to raise the monopole sections rather then trying to raise the tripod leg sections all equally.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

For sure, certainly take precautions if you do use it as a tripod stand in. It's secure, I set a heavy enough camera rig on top and walked away, but all the same :p

[@ElBoyoElectronico]

The monopod looks awesome! I really like my iFootage TC-5s tripod and their Nano Shark Slider. I do however not enjoy using the K5 fluid head. I can get it to somehow work, but it is definately a challenge and not that fun to use. Thanks for your review and your honesty!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I agree, that head is a lil annoying! But glad you enjoyed the video :D

[@SirIronJim]

Nice Video, thanks for sharing the knowledge, I'm currently looking at purchasing a Monopod, this video may have just the 2 items that you're reviewing, I did not know that only certain fluid heads were needed in order to have a nice fit in the carrying case, so, the Komodo 5 will make it on my shopping list as well :), again, "Love the Video"

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Glad I could help!

[@joshuadavis4730]

I own the cobra monopod, love it. I also just signed up for soundstripe last month. I should have waited to get your discount. Good job on the review and 'two person' editing.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

It's a great monopod! :D And haha, that's pretty funny! Hope you're enjoying the music and such :D Did you do just the music plan or sfx too?

[@joshuadavis4730]

@@FellowFilmmaker I only purchased the music plan. I have a wedding film to edit. I really like that I can do it month to month. Films are not my main gig. So for those of us who do this part time, it's nice to pay as needed.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Ooh yeah, I never considered it from that angle! I'm glad it works for you. :D Hope you get many more gigs so you need an annual plan!

[@rakeshgopathi01]

I can see this channel growing exponentially soon.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

So kind of you! I'd be really excited when it does :D Glad you like the channel

[@sublimeexposuresfilms]

This is the best video about monopods by far 🤣

[@sublimeexposuresfilms]

Also, wheres the video for that microphone setup you used in the ad??!?! 🔥

[@sublimeexposuresfilms]

Nevermind... I found it 🤣

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thank you! :D And glad you found it, haha :)

[@real1997]

Haha I was wondering where this was going. Very good and funny. Hi from Down Under!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Hey, thanks! :D

[@mfluder15]

Have you considered doing a review of video tripods/heads? BTW this was fun to watch.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I've thought about it. Are there certain ones you'd be interested in? Glad you enjoyed the video

[@mfluder15]

@@FellowFilmmaker I’ve been interested in the Manfrotto MVK502055XPRO3 tripod with the 502AH fluid head. It’s pricey, but I’m thinking it would be a good long term investment.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

good to know, I'll keep it in mind and see what I can do in the future!

[@andrewmason8691]

Good video, Heather. I can get my Manfrotto 500ah in the bag when I pull it apart and it is not fully zipped up. I’m sure iFootage designed it so the 500ah wouldn’t fit in it properly. So I attached the Befree video head to it and the 500ah video head to the Befree. Now I’m happy again.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Good to hear! :D

[@wesleystanfield3641]

Brillant!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thank you kindly! :D

[@DAVEDigitalandVinylExpert]

Great video. Subbed and my monopod is coming today :-)

[@FellowFilmmaker]

That's exciting, I hope you love it as much as I have! And I'm glad you enjoy the channel as well :D

[@theindiefilmdude]

As usual, you're AWESOME😎 going to redoing my channel soon with actual content and I hope I my stuff is as great as yours😁

[@FellowFilmmaker]

That's great to hear, I hope you do well!

[@ngonzale3]

Had my eye on this for a while. Now that it's time I made sure I ordered off of your link. Hope it's a paid link. Just want to support however we can. :)

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Super kind of you! Thanks so much :D Hope you enjoy it

[@adamparliman488]

The talking to yourself portion was totally cheesy but cheesy works sometimes and this definitely worked! It was fun and really lighthearted. Also, I have to ask, how many times did you drop/hit yourself while flipping that thing around? haha

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha, yeah, it was a tad cheesy - glad it worked tho! I actually didn't hit myself surprisingly, came close a few times

[@andrewjoseph1363]

@@FellowFilmmaker I’m actually interested in how you actually pulled it off? Having the edge of you in both shots? But I enjoyed it! It was entertaining and amusing. Thanks for that.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I asked my friend to be my double, haha, so that's how I cheated. Otherwise I was going to do a mask and feather effect if I could

[@JAXTWIN]

I thought it was brilliant. For a one person team, i applaud the effort and delivery. I can feel the moment the other woman's dreams were crushed. Bravo! bravo! 😭😭😭

[@veliharri]

Hi! Couple questions. How do you level your shots. Do you first set it up and then extend it because the air bubble is up and the ball knob is down? Also is it stable enough to shoot like an interview (completely still) and what about pan and tilt shots? Great review. Thanks! :)

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I usually level it from the bubble at the top since that's closest to what the camera is seeing, thus will look better in camera. I usually have a video head on and will go off of that one. I wouldn't trust it for an interview unless it was my last option just because its a monopod at the end of the day and if you hit it by accident it could fall over. But it is stable enough to stand along and be fairly sturdy. I stuck my 6kpro on it and walked away for a few but was also worried the whole time, so I'd recommend not leaving it unattended. For pan and tilt shots, the komodo k5 is not my go to head for that, but if you're looking to use the movements of the monopod itself with the ball head at the base for that its ok and useable. Only issue is keeping it level, so that's why I like a fluid head for that.

[@HeresMo]

I was looking at this the other day.. Might be worth it.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I think it is!

[@jamesburton1050]

Your twirling skills are much better than mine!! 😂😂 Where did you get the idea for the violin thing? Also, any info on how this compares to other footed monopods? (Neewer, Sirius, Manfrotto, Benro, etc.)

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Hahaha thanks! They are fun to spin around. I think I got the idea for the violin thing at 2am when I was trying to sleep one night. :) I don't recall the exact line of thinking as my brain moves quickly for idea to idea. I'm not sure how it compares sadly, I've not gotten to try all those cool other ones out there! :D Maybe someday

[@jamesburton1050]

@@FellowFilmmaker ok thanks!

[@oprescuelenadiana]

You are amazing :)

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha well thank you!

[@oprescuelenadiana]

@@FellowFilmmaker and thank you :)

[@skymakai]

Great review Heather! Tell iFootage to send you the Slider Nano to review, as well as the K7 Head and larger Gazelle Carbon tripods. 🤙🏽

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Workin on it! Ive heard loads of great things about their slider

[@skymakai]

@@FellowFilmmaker It's pretty good... like Gerald said, "super easy to use", but not without it's drawbacks. It's not the smoothest in my experience.

[@robguyatt9602]

I got one and added a ball head to the top straight away. I've used monos with rigid fixing to the camera and its crap. What I love about the Cobra is the mini tripod. with single point foot I suffer lateral movement cos I'm old and shakey. LOL. With only a small amout of tension on the bottom ball joint, that issue is dead.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thanks for sharing I like the cobra for the feet as well, super useful for many things

[@anthonypc1]

Nice baton twirling skills. I mean monopod

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Hahaha thanks! I drop it alot

[@aroncontinuousconversation]

I have the aluminum version, my tripod haven't seen sun light after that sadly.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha, yeah, they are quite handy!

[@garagemonkeysan]

Awesome "commercial." Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thanks! Took alot of planning to pull it off

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

You should definitely get credit for a 5 minute ad, since you did double duty for it. I might have been annoyed at such a long ad, but you were annoyed enough for both of us (all three of us?), so I had to just laugh!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha, well I'm glad I made it work for you in the end! :D

[@1magicmungia]

might be an odd question, but are the plates from the komodo and and manfrotto the same? Reason for asking is because I would want to take my camera off of my ronin and attach to head. Thanks in advance if you know.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

They are similar but not exactly alike. I can use the komodo plate on my manfrotto tripod head but have to put it in and take it out a certain way. But it does work!

[@GlastonburyGabriel]

These are awesome looking monopods. Trouble is you just can't buy these in the uk

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Well thats weird, thats where ifootage is based out of. Perhaps you need to buy directly from them?

[@robari2410]

TWO THUMPS UP!! Nothing else to say, thank you. 😉🙂

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thank you very much! :D

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

hey...I'm late to the conversation...but...I used to have a Manfrotto video monopod with small feet and it was ok...then I got a Sirui P-424S and I liked it a lot...bigger feet but I don't like the twisting locks anymore-I feel that they are not as tight as they used to be. I use a Manfrotto fluid head so I can pan and tilt etc...now I wanted to try a Manfrotto Xpro 4 sections-I like the locking mechanism and Manfrotto "improved" the feet and the mechanism that allows some nice moves with the monopo...but now I just came across your video for the iFootage cobra 2...I just want the best monopod for video! Is this iFootage cobra 2 A LOT better then the Manfrotto Xpro? have you compared them? I just wish the SIrui had a different locking mechanism. I use either a Canon 90D with a Sigma 18-35mm lens, or a Sony A6400 with a 18-105mm lens, even a C100 mk2 and sometimes even a small camcorder like a Canon XF100...so not much weight really...thanks for the help!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I have not compared those two, no. I think the cobra is great, the locking is perfect and the feet are pretty good. I don't think they are as wide as the Sirui tho, so I'm not able to say for sure if you'll like it.

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

@@FellowFilmmaker thanks Heather...I liked the Sirui because it had bigger feet!! Lol...but I find it that they get in the way sometimes when I'm in a crowded place (dance floor etc)...so smaller would be fine...this cobra looks good-my local store doesn't carry them...do you think is as good or better than the manfrotto xpro? forget the Sirui...thanks!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I'm not sure about Manfrotto xpro since I've not used it before, sorry Wish I could be more help

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

@@FellowFilmmaker oh come on Heather! You get to test thousands of products! LOL! thanks for your videos. So much work goes into them. I will try to visit my local camera store in Toronto and see if I can compare them. I'm partial to manfrotto but hey cobra 2 sound exciting too! Thanks so much'

[@veliharri]

Hi Heather. Can you please help me? I bought this ifootage monopod and manfrotto mvh500ah videohead. But i have a problem with it. When i try pan to the right it start to unscrew from the monopod. I dont know whats the problem?

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Yeah, sometimes I have that issue if I'm forcing the pan without it totally loosened. I just tighten it back up, twist it tighter onto the monopod, and then be sure I have it loose when I'm ready to pan. Little annoying but alot of video heads I've used do this for some reason. Wish there was a fail safe.

[@veliharri]

@@FellowFilmmaker I think there is in tripods but im not sure about monopods. I read somewhere that in tripods there are screws you need to tight under where they connect to each other. Then the video head dont come of. But at least with this ifootage monopod there isnt any screws for it.

[@rorsharch]

Just subscribed

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thank you!

[@TheFlipsterGoodfella]

What did you do to shoot that behind the shoulder video shot? You use a mannequin or something?

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I bribed a friend :D

[@KtmDesignz]

how did you do the talking to yourself part? pretty cool

[@FellowFilmmaker]

With much planning! :D I also asked a friend to be my stand in so I had someone to look at and shoot over the shoulder of, so that was helpful

[@KtmDesignz]

@@FellowFilmmaker ohh I actually thought it was some sort of rotoscoping of your shoulder! because i've been thinking of something similar since i have no friends hahahah

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I did consider doing that actually, so it's totally possible :D Just use a nice feather on it and it'll be good

[@KtmDesignz]

@@FellowFilmmaker yeah will try that :) btw, your ticked off face... on point haha

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Hahaha, thank you! Glad i can look ticked off well 😂

[@bigrabbit5617]

This monopod is it match the manfrotto MHXPRO 2w xpro fluid head?

[@FellowFilmmaker]

If you mean will it work with it, then yes, it's got a 3/8ths and 1/4 20 mount so it'll work with any video head just as long as it has the ability to screw in.

[@kw2966]

hi, wondering how can you attach the h6 in the monopod??

[@FellowFilmmaker]

I'm not sure I know what you're referring to...

[@elishageorgevlogs9971]

Talking to herself is the best part every time!!!

[@FellowFilmmaker]

:D I'm glad you liked it, haha! I was afraid it might seem a bit cheesy.... but I wanted to try something new/fun out

[@elishageorgevlogs9971]

@@FellowFilmmaker Oh yeah, I know how long It takes to make those Talking to yourself parts.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

For sure! Took a whole afternoon plus all the days of perfecting a script :D Exhausting

[@talonsix]

0:31 - missed opportunity for an off camera cat meow-screech sound effect

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Dang, youre right!

[@NatesFilmTutorials]

Triggered Heather is someone you don’t want to mess with! Lol 😂

[@FellowFilmmaker]

:D Haha

[@hotlineoperator]

Episode of real movie.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

:) Haha, maybe someday!

[@MarceloFernandez1967]

CHARISMA SKILLS: LEVEL 100

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Well thank you :D

[@theshopper6902]

Why this company is not making large base legs as to be seen in "sirui" (China) -(many reviews were inclined to this major advantage on YT) I don't know how this company miss such a detail...Because they have put everything logically in this model but base could be updated so that i can through away my tripod at ease and rely totally on I footage for everything

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Hmm I've not tried sirui's base legs, so I can't say for sure anything about it. But I think in general a monopod will never fully replace a tripod because it's not secure on just the one leg. It can work in a pinch with a light camera setup but certainly not something to put expensive gear on and walk away either. There's more security with a tripod over a monopod. No worries of wind knocking it over or a leg hitting it.

[@theshopper6902]

@@FellowFilmmaker yes agree, but i find while increasing and decreasing height of tripod quite cumbersome as need to work all three legs one at a time... Which takes time and if alignment if wrong.. I need to redo all again! Where as monopod it still works fine for videos like yours where you just sit and talk... And catch if camera falls... But it never falls.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

True. I feel the pain too, don't worry, I hate when tripod adjustments take so much time. I've heard of this tripod, the Sachtler 4585, it's supposed to be really easy to adjust the height on

[@CedricHauteville]

This was fun to watch :). Also, please don't shoot on the edge of a cliff :p

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha, I'll try not to! but if I ever am, I at least have a monopod that works for it! ;)

[@danielschaller-digitalmark9068]

Brilliant add integration, congrats for that Mademoiselle

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Thank you very much! :D

[@Tuernah]

Best acting award of all camrrera revue channels. Haha addition you should askin her hey why you recording soundrtrack in park?! Pople will leanr mor from this revue versus Gerlad Undone. He ws usin that babay mini tripod with that ball lock for standin a 50 lbs €5,000 borrowed light Titan on the edge of a table to doin a revue 🙄 enough said. We use 3 addition mount small lightweight leds in ball heads. It be a $150 head its be ok not bad for proce. There be scpecifc exact way of testin fluid head I do not expect the find in gerlad undone channel this vidido one much better. 👍

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha, yes I do remember Gerald using it with his giant light. :D Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@djtommykeys]

I gave you a like and a subscribe for putting that ******* violinist in her place.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha, thanks! :D

[@djtommykeys]

@@FellowFilmmaker Got the iFootage on my wish list. Thanks for the review.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Most welcome! :D

[@andyvan5692]

hint: to make the 'music' stop quicker, it would have been more expedient to use the monopod and ninja whack her string instrument, or her, either would be perferable (hint, the quote you are after, is from 007: Goldeneye ".....strangling a cat?"); same situation, but a rushan girl singing awful. (I have Autism, so DEFINATELY simpathise with you!!)

[@rohitmamgain4338]

U can act 😅

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha thanks

[@temur101]

Eh, 180 cm is 5ft11….

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Yeah, not terrible. Could always attach a second one and get over 11 ft

[@anthonypc1]

O my gosh don't be so mean to you! 🥺

[@FellowFilmmaker]

☺️ill try

[@marcelfondeurmendez]

You should think about acting.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

Haha, very kind of you to say :P I think I'd need alot of coaching

[@marcelfondeurmendez]

@@FellowFilmmaker You can do comedy. Explore it. Very organic.

[@FellowFilmmaker]

True, we'll have to see!