Yes!! That QD connector for putting a strap on the monopod and big lens is fantastic - I will definitely be setting something like that up asap! I was literally out yesterday with the 400mm and monopod and was wondering how to get around having to put it down on the wet ground whenever I needed to use my hands for anything else!
You may have just solved a dilemma I've been looking for an answer to for over a year! How to carry my R5 with 600 f/4 lens on a monopod when I go on my nature walks. Up until now it was usually handheld with my cross-body strap using QD connection to the lens foot. Any time I tried to carry it mounted to a monopod and "sling" it over my shoulder I would end up with something digging into my shoulder or neck or it would be a pain to lower it off my shoulder when I wanted to take a shot. Seeing your setup with the QD on both the monopod tube and on the lens foot looks perfect! Fortunately, I had all the pieces already and all I had to do was put them together as you described in the video. I'll be trying this out in the field tomorrow. Bravo Scott!
Thanks so much Scott, I have the Peak strap, collar and swivels on the way. Like you, I do want to use the Nikon collar because of the strap lugs. I also ordered a Leofoto mini clamp with QD socket that I can clamp onto the Arca foot that I have on the 180-600, there is just enough room when I have it on my Wimberley monopod gimbal.
Again, I just love your enthusiasm! I have been trying to figure out a way to carry my monopod with gimbal just as you show, without ruining my collar bone. Last year, after a few weeks in Panama I was bruised & sore after the second day & by the end was about in agony but as you likely expect, I carried on. I just can't wait to order the clamps & strap you suggest for my spring trip to Costa Rica & now I can likely take the 180-600 without too much worry. Thanks!
Great suggestions. I already use a slide for macro. Very hard to beat and cheap works fine. Since I have both peak design straps, I’m going for the connector. Currently use a flag type strap system, which I like, but it’s always good to try new. Thanks for the info. Hope your neck issue is no longer an issue
Today I only use few Photography Accessories, Novoflex Tripod system, shoulder/sling bag, backpack and cheap blower bulb (ear blower from the pharmacy) for dusting off Camera sensors and Lenses, extra memory cards, extra batteries. It is rare that I use tripod, only for photographing the night sky. From 45 years of experience.
Good video on some very useful accessories. Regarding the macro rail, couldn’t you save some money and just put your camera on your small tabletop tripod and just use the focus shift shooting feature in the Nikon bodies? Zooming way in on the rear display while carefully using manual focus should be able to achieve exact focus on a subject or the exact spot for the start of the focus shift sequence. Setting the Focus Ring Rotation Range to a large value with linear focus can provide very precise manual focus which makes the process even easier and no need for a macro rail. I haven’t used my very good Photoseiki MR 101 Macro Focusing Rail (no longer available) since I bought my first Nikon camera with this feature. I find that it's just so much easier and faster.
Great video. I love the Leofoto products. Check out the QS receivers and plates for tripod heads. If you change tripod heads, these are a game changer for quick changeout, and they cut down on the wear and tear of the male and female threads of the tripod and tripod head. It's mostly convenience, but it could make a difference in whether or not you get the shot, since it saves you time in replacing the head.
I've been using the strap and QD connector for my setup for over a year now. It's really helpful for those times where I don't want to hand carry my camera the whole time, but I also want quick access to my camera. I really like the magnetic foldable phone stand that can attach to an arca Swiss. I have a Samsung phone but I have a case with the magnet ring and I use a magnetic mount in my jeep... it has never fallen off the mount so I'm sure it would hold well on this mount too, and it's so little to carry to give that added capability of recording from your phone from many different mount options. I like it.
I’m going to check out the PD strap. Today I have the black rapids sling, which works well. One of the things that I’ve been trying to figure out is how to attach my phone to the strap in some way. Or any way really to wear the phone. I like to keep the Merlin app running as I hike. It’s helpful to let me know what I’m hearing, so I can stop and look for anything unusual. It’s also helping me train my ear for different songs.I’m getting better! But carrying the phone in my back pocket, stopping, opening the app, etc, isn’t helpful. Suggestions? I ordered the phone stand. I don’t have a magnetic case, but you said they send you something to put in your case, I believe. I’ll see when it comes. Thanks for sharing. I’ve added a few things to my Christmas wish list!
You could try an armband type thing that runners use? I wonder if there is a clamp that could attach to the strap, I havent tried that but sometimes, I connect the phone the cage I put around my camera body.
Cool stuff! If I wanted to give a gift for the battery charger for someone who shoots a Canon Mirrorless R5, where would I find that? I am adding a few of these to my cart asap!
Didn't they dedicate an entire season of one of those hoarder shows to photographers? If they didn't, they should! I personally have never thrown away a single piece of kit I've ever bought...
@@WildlifeInspired LoL... yup, the "new in box" stuff with the dust all over it - that's the only thing that still has all the pieces together, I feel your pain ;)
Unfortunately, Leofoto doesn't make QD clamps that fit Gitzo monopods. Top two legs on my monopod are 37 & 33mm. RRS make a 37mm clamp, but at twice the price.
Have you tried charging one vs two batteries in the Llano battery charger? A lot of times these dual battery chargers don't actually charge the batteries in parallel, and will charge one then the other. So, if you were to charge two batteries is it roughly the same time as just charging one? Or is it double the time.
Really like the idea of the connectors, will look into them. QUESTION. I l9ve nature photo and using my macro lens and ext. Tubes. I DO NOT focus stack images, would a macro rail be real help to me? I've heard alot of differnet reply to this. Thoughts.... Thanks
Hi Scott Thx for your informative videos. You mentioned at some time, cannot ,find it in this video, but then it was here, You mentioned a solution for using lenses with Arca Swiss and Video plates, but I cannot put my finger on it. What was your solution for moving between arca Swiss and video lens / camera plates seamlessly? I use a video and arca Swiss style tripod heads, and it ie a real headache switching between the different style plat. Hope to hear from you Chris,
Nice trick with the monopod! I definitly need to try it. If I may ask, what do you think about the reliability of the QD connectors? I would like to try this system but It’s strange how I am confident with the little Peak Design anchors and a bit sceptical with QD 😅 Are all brands equals in quality with QDs?
Get the ones from RRS. I'm pretty sure they are made by another company that makes that makes a ton of them designed for carrying guns. I avoid off brands for this. I feel you concern but mine never failed (Magpul).
What do you think of Sirui CT-3204 Explorer Series Carbon Fiber Tripod with CH-20 Gimbal Head? I do 95% stills for wildlife and have primarily been handholding. I have a crappy ball head and tripod, that absolutely does not hold my Sony 200-600
I got 40 and 36 for the different legs. If I was doing it again. I'd get just the 40 mm and attach one qd to that and the other to the camera. Take a little to configure it how you like
Good reviews. I use peak design setup to carry multiple cameras and lenses but only need one strap. Also got the Kirk swivel similar to what you show and works well. Battery charger nice but doesn’t do Z9 bats, correct?
I don't think you will replace the whole foot (there are a few companies that make that replacement but dont think it includes QD ports). You CAN find just the plate though, I saw some on BH and you can attach a long arca plate with QD ports. There is a less known company, Hejnar, that I have used and they make a plate specifically for that lens and has options for 1 or 2 QD ports. I like them because they seem to offer more QD options www.hejnarphotostore.com/Nikon-NIKKOR-Z-180-600mm-f-5-6-6-3-VR-Lens-Nikon-p/nlp-001-l.htm
Try Kirk Photo. They have a few different lengths and the QD sockets are towards the back of the plate as opposed to the middle so it's less likely to interfere with installing on a monopod or tripod without removing the strap. The 5.25" version (KLP-525) would likely do well for the 180-600mm.
Kirk Photo also makes a replacement collar for the 180-600mm, which has a QD built in. However, the QD is towards the center of the foot, so again, wouldn't work well when clamping on a monopod at the same time. Also, the main thing about it that I don't like is that you lose the two strap eyelets that are built into the Nikon collar. Your easiest solution would be to just put a Peak Design anchor link to the lens at those eyelets, connect one end of your strap to that, and then the other to a QD clamp on the monopod.
I have the NiSi macro rail. I like your addition of the geared head. That may be usefull for the fine adjustments. Will look into those Often find something I could use in your videos
Yes!! That QD connector for putting a strap on the monopod and big lens is fantastic - I will definitely be setting something like that up asap! I was literally out yesterday with the 400mm and monopod and was wondering how to get around having to put it down on the wet ground whenever I needed to use my hands for anything else!
It works !!!! And you can pee if no one is around 😂
@@WildlifeInspired that's 100% one of the reasons I had tp prop up my 400mm in a bush yesterday lol
You may have just solved a dilemma I've been looking for an answer to for over a year! How to carry my R5 with 600 f/4 lens on a monopod when I go on my nature walks. Up until now it was usually handheld with my cross-body strap using QD connection to the lens foot. Any time I tried to carry it mounted to a monopod and "sling" it over my shoulder I would end up with something digging into my shoulder or neck or it would be a pain to lower it off my shoulder when I wanted to take a shot. Seeing your setup with the QD on both the monopod tube and on the lens foot looks perfect! Fortunately, I had all the pieces already and all I had to do was put them together as you described in the video. I'll be trying this out in the field tomorrow. Bravo Scott!
Hoping you like it!!!
Thanks so much Scott, I have the Peak strap, collar and swivels on the way. Like you, I do want to use the Nikon collar because of the strap lugs. I also ordered a Leofoto mini clamp with QD socket that I can clamp onto the Arca foot that I have on the 180-600, there is just enough room when I have it on my Wimberley monopod gimbal.
Sounds like you are going to love it!
@@WildlifeInspired Thanks. I sure hope so & goodbye to a ruined collar bone.
Again, I just love your enthusiasm! I have been trying to figure out a way to carry my monopod with gimbal just as you show, without ruining my collar bone. Last year, after a few weeks in Panama I was bruised & sore after the second day & by the end was about in agony but as you likely expect, I carried on. I just can't wait to order the clamps & strap you suggest for my spring trip to Costa Rica & now I can likely take the 180-600 without too much worry. Thanks!
Glad I can help! You’ll love it!
Thank Scott for pointing out the Leofoto Magsafe Phone stand, and the macro focus ring to me. They're very helpful.
Great suggestions. I already use a slide for macro. Very hard to beat and cheap works fine.
Since I have both peak design straps, I’m going for the connector. Currently use a flag type strap system, which I like, but it’s always good to try new.
Thanks for the info. Hope your neck issue is no longer an issue
I think you just sold me on buying a monopod, the sling is a smart idea.
Thanks for the info - always informative and helpful! Appreciate your reviews very much!
Thanks so much!! I saw your other comments as well and appreciate.
Today I only use few Photography Accessories, Novoflex Tripod system, shoulder/sling bag, backpack and cheap blower bulb (ear blower from the pharmacy) for dusting off Camera sensors and Lenses, extra memory cards, extra batteries. It is rare that I use tripod, only for photographing the night sky. From 45 years of experience.
Good video on some very useful accessories. Regarding the macro rail, couldn’t you save some money and just put your camera on your small tabletop tripod and just use the focus shift shooting feature in the Nikon bodies? Zooming way in on the rear display while carefully using manual focus should be able to achieve exact focus on a subject or the exact spot for the start of the focus shift sequence. Setting the Focus Ring Rotation Range to a large value with linear focus can provide very precise manual focus which makes the process even easier and no need for a macro rail. I haven’t used my very good Photoseiki MR 101 Macro Focusing Rail (no longer available) since I bought my first Nikon camera with this feature. I find that it's just so much easier and faster.
Yes you could use that but my lens is manual focus !
Ooh, time to start making my Christmas wish list!
I have a feeling you're going to need a bigger list!
need to get the QD clamp!! i have a Peak Design Strap the only problem is the black rubber melted when it got hot.
I never heard that!
Great video. I love the Leofoto products.
Check out the QS receivers and plates for tripod heads. If you change tripod heads, these are a game changer for quick changeout, and they cut down on the wear and tear of the male and female threads of the tripod and tripod head. It's mostly convenience, but it could make a difference in whether or not you get the shot, since it saves you time in replacing the head.
I'll definitely check those out, thanks!
I've been using the strap and QD connector for my setup for over a year now. It's really helpful for those times where I don't want to hand carry my camera the whole time, but I also want quick access to my camera. I really like the magnetic foldable phone stand that can attach to an arca Swiss. I have a Samsung phone but I have a case with the magnet ring and I use a magnetic mount in my jeep... it has never fallen off the mount so I'm sure it would hold well on this mount too, and it's so little to carry to give that added capability of recording from your phone from many different mount options. I like it.
I like the way you’re thinking!
I recently got the Peak Desgin "Capture Lens" so far I really like this product!!
I’m going to check out the PD strap. Today I have the black rapids sling, which works well. One of the things that I’ve been trying to figure out is how to attach my phone to the strap in some way. Or any way really to wear the phone. I like to keep the Merlin app running as I hike. It’s helpful to let me know what I’m hearing, so I can stop and look for anything unusual. It’s also helping me train my ear for different songs.I’m getting better! But carrying the phone in my back pocket, stopping, opening the app, etc, isn’t helpful. Suggestions? I ordered the phone stand. I don’t have a magnetic case, but you said they send you something to put in your case, I believe. I’ll see when it comes. Thanks for sharing. I’ve added a few things to my Christmas wish list!
You could try an armband type thing that runners use? I wonder if there is a clamp that could attach to the strap, I havent tried that but sometimes, I connect the phone the cage I put around my camera body.
Cool stuff! If I wanted to give a gift for the battery charger for someone who shoots a Canon Mirrorless R5, where would I find that?
I am adding a few of these to my cart asap!
Great setup with monopod and I bought clamps for both my of tripods with the basic strap!
Nice, you'll really like it.
Didn't they dedicate an entire season of one of those hoarder shows to photographers? If they didn't, they should! I personally have never thrown away a single piece of kit I've ever bought...
LOL I just look through my bid of "triggers" 5 triggers, a couple remotes missing pieces, and one still new in box 3 years later
@@WildlifeInspired LoL... yup, the "new in box" stuff with the dust all over it - that's the only thing that still has all the pieces together, I feel your pain ;)
It takes me a year of thinking of why I should use it but if it doesn't move I list it on ebay 😂
Unfortunately, Leofoto doesn't make QD clamps that fit Gitzo monopods. Top two legs on my monopod are 37 & 33mm. RRS make a 37mm clamp, but at twice the price.
I have to say. I really like this leofoto monopod!
Have you tried charging one vs two batteries in the Llano battery charger? A lot of times these dual battery chargers don't actually charge the batteries in parallel, and will charge one then the other. So, if you were to charge two batteries is it roughly the same time as just charging one? Or is it double the time.
Did not test that but ill try to update and add to the description. !
Really like the idea of the connectors, will look into them. QUESTION. I l9ve nature photo and using my macro lens and ext. Tubes. I DO NOT focus stack images, would a macro rail be real help to me? I've heard alot of differnet reply to this.
Thoughts....
Thanks
If you do indoor work with VERY shallow DOF, yes. I rarely stack images and still use it a lot!
that macro rail looks decent and is less expensive than others
Hi Scott
Thx for your informative videos.
You mentioned at some time, cannot ,find it in this video, but then it was here,
You mentioned a solution for using lenses with Arca Swiss and Video plates, but I cannot put my finger on it.
What was your solution for moving between arca Swiss and video lens / camera plates seamlessly?
I use a video and arca Swiss style tripod heads, and it ie a real headache switching between the different style plat.
Hope to hear from you
Chris,
Chris, I use a clamp that is arca compatible and screw it together on a monfrotto plate. I'll send links later
use this plate: bit.ly/40K2qsu
and this clamp: amzn.to/4hOwx8w
it will work
Nice trick with the monopod! I definitly need to try it.
If I may ask, what do you think about the reliability of the QD connectors? I would like to try this system but It’s strange how I am confident with the little Peak Design anchors and a bit sceptical with QD 😅 Are all brands equals in quality with QDs?
Get the ones from RRS. I'm pretty sure they are made by another company that makes that makes a ton of them designed for carrying guns. I avoid off brands for this. I feel you concern but mine never failed (Magpul).
Ok I’ll look at it. Thank you very much :)
This may be a dumb question, but I have a pop socket on back of my Iphone case - I'm assuming the magnet item you feature won't work for me
I don't think so ! Unless they make some that have the magnet
@ thanks!
Great I want the ps-5 and can't get it today, and SLOWLY I turned...step by step. Thank you. heh
What do you think of Sirui CT-3204 Explorer Series Carbon Fiber Tripod with CH-20 Gimbal Head? I do 95% stills for wildlife and have primarily been handholding. I have a crappy ball head and tripod, that absolutely does not hold my Sony 200-600
Hi Scott, I have the same monopod. what size clamp did you put on yours?
I got 40 and 36 for the different legs. If I was doing it again. I'd get just the 40 mm and attach one qd to that and the other to the camera. Take a little to configure it how you like
Good reviews. I use peak design setup to carry multiple cameras and lenses but only need one strap. Also got the Kirk swivel similar to what you show and works well. Battery charger nice but doesn’t do Z9 bats, correct?
DOES NOT do the larger batteries !
Thanks!
Thanks so much!!!
Hi Scott, me again. I am searching with no joy to find an Arca plate to put on my 180-600 that has a QD socket on it. Any ideas please?
I don't think you will replace the whole foot (there are a few companies that make that replacement but dont think it includes QD ports). You CAN find just the plate though, I saw some on BH and you can attach a long arca plate with QD ports.
There is a less known company, Hejnar, that I have used and they make a plate specifically for that lens and has options for 1 or 2 QD ports. I like them because they seem to offer more QD options
www.hejnarphotostore.com/Nikon-NIKKOR-Z-180-600mm-f-5-6-6-3-VR-Lens-Nikon-p/nlp-001-l.htm
Try Kirk Photo. They have a few different lengths and the QD sockets are towards the back of the plate as opposed to the middle so it's less likely to interfere with installing on a monopod or tripod without removing the strap. The 5.25" version (KLP-525) would likely do well for the 180-600mm.
Kirk Photo also makes a replacement collar for the 180-600mm, which has a QD built in. However, the QD is towards the center of the foot, so again, wouldn't work well when clamping on a monopod at the same time. Also, the main thing about it that I don't like is that you lose the two strap eyelets that are built into the Nikon collar. Your easiest solution would be to just put a Peak Design anchor link to the lens at those eyelets, connect one end of your strap to that, and then the other to a QD clamp on the monopod.
I have the NiSi macro rail. I like your addition of the geared head. That may be usefull for the fine adjustments. Will look into those
Often find something I could use in your videos
Also thanks for 20% discount on Leofoto accesory 😊
Sweet !!9