Manfrotto 685B Neotec Monopod - Black

2020-12-22T07:09:08

Purchased for my son that has an handicap. Its works great with one hand.

MICHAEL S.

2019-05-30T16:23:55

Much easier to use than my other monopod. Very solid, no flex in the leg. Reason for four stars is it a little sticky going up and down. I hope that gets better with more use.

Brent W.

2014-08-25T21:00:00

Used it once but liked it a lot! Will be using it again this weekend!

Sheila

2012-11-26T19:00:00

I'm 6'3" tall and have to fully extend this monopod, Fully extended it is so unstable it can't be used...You can forget about using this on the sidelines of a Football game. This is a great idea but Manfrotto has built a very weak product. I mostly shoot Portraits and even in a studio setting I can't use it...Right now it is in the corner collecting dust. Makes a expensive hat holder.....

Akita 1.

2012-02-21T19:00:00

I have only gotten to use this monopod on one shoot and it failed immediately. The top segment works flawlessly. The bottom segment, however, never locked once. It just collapsed back in on itself. After I got home I read the instructions again to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong or exceeding the weight limit or anything. I worked with it some more to try and figure out if there was a "trick" to getting the bottom segment to lock (I really wanted this thing to work!) Unfortunately I was forced to send it back for an exchange. I just got the new one back tonight and opened up the box to try it out. Pulled both segments out and they locked perfectly solid! ...a bit too solid I'm afraid. The top segment collapsed on command (no problems there) Sadly the bottom segment did not cooperate. This time it would not collapse. I made sure I was pressing in the safety latch and the trigger (like you're supposed to) but it wouldn't budge. I gave it a little more pressure (not too much)and finally it gave. And now guess what? That's right, the bottom segment won't lock. Same boat I was in before I returned it. And all within the first 5 minutes of getting it back. This tells me that either I have the WORST luck with these monopods and have managed to get the 2 flawed ones they had in the bunch or the monopods are cheaply made from what looks to be very nice material (on the outside). Not happy at all right now. I really liked this monopod and now it looks as if I'll have to find something else. Something that actually works.

Six R.

2011-03-13T21:00:00

Very solid platform for D300s & 70-200mm VR II

Jim

2010-01-22T19:00:00

light and easy to handle. strong enough to carry my cannon xh a1

letyprico

2009-09-28T21:00:00

This monopod has been the best choice of quality and price. Really well built. Very strong and firm when you use in sports photography with my Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8. From the best I've ever had. Recommended 100%

Rene M.

2009-09-02T21:00:00

good product does the job

jack

2009-08-21T21:00:00

[...] I have nothing bad to say the mono pod does its job well its easy to use and I love the grip control to lower the leg. for the price its a steal

PETER B.

2009-02-05T19:00:00

Very impressed with this monopod so far. Have only had it since Christmas, but have no reservations about it. I can load it up with a gripped D300 and either the 70-200mm f/2.8 or 300mm f/4 with 1.7TC plus a SB-800 on top and can stabilize quite easily. The adjustments up and down (even in small increments) happen quickly and effortlessly with only one hand. Others mention the rubber foot being problematic. I wrapped the threads a few times with plumbers tape and have not had any issues. I do like to travel compact even though I might me loaded down with gear. The only con I have is the total length when collapsed. At 31.5" with 234RC swivel head attached, it ain't a small thing. On the other hand, being nearly 5'-10" tall myself, it will extend above my head. Couple that with LiveView, a wide angle lens and a remote shutter release, I can see getting some unique shots in crowds that would otherwise be missed. **waits for parade** Recommend the 234RC Swivel Head to compliment the monopod. Makes going to portrait orientation a breeze.

kundalini

2009-02-05T19:00:00

I saw this at a photography show in New York. It was just what I wanted in a monopod. Of course it's a Manfrotto, what else can be said. Nice and compact. Lightweight but sturdy. Opens easily without hassle. I looked at various others but none matched the quality of this monopod.

Gerald D.

2008-11-22T19:00:00

Very nice product, it is easy to carry with you and best of all sets up and is ready to go very quickly. I would also recommend the 234 RC quick release monopod head. No other monopod that I looked at sets up like this one does, it really works nice, and so far seems to be made very well.

P.H

2008-09-04T21:00:00

Really nice product, solid built, extremely handy, makes you "more professional" because you can adjust the height quickly to suit your shooting needs. The "high heel" falls off easily, after sliding a piece of thick paper around the bottom bits (thickening the foot) then stick the foot back, solves the problem permanently! :) Another downside of this monopod is that it's grip wobbles a bit after used for a while, (especially if you constantly loads the monopod up to it's maximum capacity), you can tighten the screw, but not too tight, so that the trigger won't be too tight.

Kufucius

2008-08-08T21:00:00

Some days my camera never leaves the top of my Neotec the entire time it's out of the bag. Weddings, sports, you name it. If I need a bit more stability, this is my first choice of tools. I've been using it happily for about a year now and I'm looking forward to getting the Neotec tripod next. While the stability is great, the real advantages are the speed and ease of use. I can adjust the height with one hand and keep the subject in frame/focus with the other while others are fumbling with releases. As noted, you do need to check that the rubber foot doesn't come off, as mine has a couple of times. A slightly tighter fit wouldn't hurt. Aside that small quibble, this is a great piece of kit and I strongly suggest checking it out if you're looking for a monopod. I don't regret a penny of the price.

Scott

2008-05-06T21:00:00

Great for my D300 with handle mount flash. I use the quick release head and it doesnt get much better. It's just well thought out and functional. Using my set-up would kill my hands after just a couple of hours.

Orly

2007-11-17T19:00:00

Fast setup, helps produce usable photos in low light situations. I use with Manfrotto 3229 head. This monopod has saved my day, very fast setup from sitting hight to standing hight in 1 or 2 seconds. The little finger release to shorten works better than I expected. For me, well worth the extra money. I use for dragging the shutter for natural light with flash. I would love to see a lighter or shorter (closed) version of this, but very usable as is.

Bert

2007-07-13T21:00:00

If your serious about Photography, this is a must.

JL P.

2007-02-11T19:00:00

Being handicapped with the use of only one arm and that arm being fairly weak, I was in need of this product for it's ease of use. With one hand you can raise and lower your camera in one easy movement. I can't live without it.

Stu

2007-02-11T19:00:00

I have used this in the field repeatedly and the foot fell off repeatedly until it was finally lost. I will replace the foot with a crutch tip

SRAY

2007-02-04T19:00:00

I use it for my sports photography, and it works perfect for that use. I like that I can make it shorter when I am sitting in the stands.

Vic