Turning a trekking pole into a light monopode

Jesito · Expire: 2015-01-07

My Clairex monopode is too big for my NEX-5. I wanted a really light monopode to improve the stability of my shots, so I decide to build one by myself.

The starting point was an Arpenaz 200 pole from Decathlon. It cost me less than 9� a couple of years ago and weights 256g. :

The first step was to remove the handle ribbon.

Then, to make a hole on top and screw in a piece of 1/4" withworth screw. I got a long screw bar, cut an 8cm piece and dremelled a slit on the top, to be able to screw it on the stick head:

I made the hole a little narrower than the screw, to make the screw when screwing in.

Once the screw placed, it's all finished. You can use any 1/4" to 3/8" adapter if you want to use a small monopode head:

And that's how it does look like when used with the NEX-5:

Regards.
Jes.

MF-addicted · Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 5:13 am Post subject:

Good DIY monopod.
Congrats. Very Happy

Just got me a used monopod, too.
... but it is up to 6m high.
http://www.agnos.com/dati/articoli/hgen_00_big.jpg

symphonic · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 550 Location: SE Europe, Croatia

Great post, thx for sharing, Jes!

I was thinking of doing the same just yesterday, but I'm kind of reluctant as I might ruin the pole.

My pole has a very uneven handle, so I probably should level it by using grindstone paper, what do you think?

Jesito · Expire: 2015-01-07

Jesito · Expire: 2015-01-07

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

Is the stick that you convert to a monopod a single length, or is it adjustable, the way a traditional monopod is?

Considering how expensive good quality new monopods (and tripods, far as that goes) have become, this seems to be a good idea.

Fortunately for me, I have an old Bogen (before it was known as Manfroto) monopod that's a pretty beefy one that I bought back in the 80s when they were still reasonably priced, and then several years ago, I found a small, lightweight Gitzo monopod, complete with Stroboframe ballhead at a camera show that I was able to steal--err, buy for $40. Best of all, it extends well beyond my height, so this one is perfect for when hiking and trying to keep the weight down.

The Gitzo is not as useful as a substitute for the Bogen in certain situations I have found myself in, however. I have a Bogen 3025 head that sometimes gets mounted to the Bogen monopod -- a rather large, ungainly affair:

Click here to see on Ebay

And if I found myself in a rough area of town, all alone, just me and my thousands of dollars worth of camera gear in a shoulder bag, I'd carry the Bogen as a club, with the 3025 head being the business end of the club. Fortunately I never actually had to use it, but it did discourage unsavory types on a few occasions from attempting to approach me. That 3025 is a rather intimidating piece of gear when you look at it as something besides a tripod head.

And it seems to me that your walking stick could also serve a dual purpose -- well maybe even a triple purpose. I'm sure it can still be used quite well as a walking stick, yes? And if you ever find yourself in a sticky situation, I suppose it could be used as a weapon, especially if you had some ungainly sort of head attached to it. Of course, one would hope nothing like this would ever occur. But it never hurts to be prepared.

Jesito · Expire: 2015-01-07

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

Jesito · Expire: 2015-01-07

Further refinements:

Added a small ball head and a rubber foot:

Regards.
Jes.