I have one of those high-tech walking sticks with a ball on top that
unscrews to reveal a 1/4"-20 bolt that spins into a tripod socket. Sort
of a double duty item for hikers. It is too short for looking straight
into the viewfinder. That's where Oly's clever tripod/monopod weight
saver and vibration reducer comes in.
The Varimagni has other uses, but the one I like best is reducing tripod
requirements. The Varimagni reduces the tripod height I need by about
18" without requiring squatting or kneeling. The whole height, weight,
stability equation changes for the better. I also think it's easier to
use my hands to provide a 'wetware' vibration damper in that
relationship to my body than up at eye level.
Moose
Curtis P. Hedman wrote:
Here's another question for the group - what is the utility of a
monopod? I have been thinking about buying one recently, but a friend
has suggested that they really don't help much. His theory is that, at
best, a monopod can take away vertical motion, but that it doesn't do
a whole lot for angular motion since the camera/lens is free to move
in the pitch plane. While I suppose that is true, it seems to me that
having one solid axis has got to help hold the lens steady. I could
always carry a tripod, but I'm a little too lazy (or spontaneous) for
that! I find the new Adorama monopod (written up in Pop Photo) pretty
attractive, but could just as well spend the $$$ on something Zuiko if
the utility were low. So what are people's experiences? I like
shooting at focal lengths in the 100 -250mm range, and would like to
extend to even longer length telephotos as resources allow.
As always, any input will be appreciated!
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