Manfrotto has announced two new monopods, the Element MII Fluid Video Monopod and the Element MII Video Monopod with Live Fluid Head.
Element MII Fluid Video Monopod
According to Manfrotto, the Element MII Fluid Video Monopod is the lightest video monopod kit on the market. It tips the scales at 1.5 lb / 670 g and it has a payload capacity of 35.3 lb / 16 kg. I am not sure I would want to put anywhere near that amount of weight on a monopod, but that’s what Manfrotto claims is possible.
The monopod is made out of Aluminum Alloy and it features a 1/4″-20 Male, 3/8″-16 Male thread on the top. It has four stages and the legs tighten using twist locks.
The monopod can reach a max. height of 50.4″ / 128cm.
The monopod collapses down to a folded length of 19.9″ / 50.46 cm. This allows it to be placed in bags and cases without taking up too much space. It will even fit inside something like a Pelican 1510 case.
Key features
- Load Capacity: 35.3 lb
- Maximum Height: 50.4″
- Folded Length: 19.9″
- Sections: 4
- Weight: 1.5 lb
- Aluminum Leg Sections
- Twist Lock Joints
- Foam Grip, Wrist Strap
- Top Disc w/ 3/8″-16 & 1/4″-20 Mount
- Folding Fluid Base with Rubber Feet
Manfrotto Element MII Video Monopod with Live Fluid Head
The Manfrotto Element MII Video Monopod with Live Fluid Head utilizes the exact same monopod design and features as the Element MII Video Monopod except it, includes a Fluid Head with 501PL QR Plate.
What you need to clearly remember is that once you add a fluid head to a monopod, the payload capacity is going to get massively reduced. The Manfrotto Element MII Video Monopod with Live Fluid Head has a payload capacity of 8.8 lb / 3.99 kg. This is still a reasonable amount and it does make it suitable to use with Mirrorless/ DSLR cameras and smaller sized digital cinema cameras.
The monopod folds down to 23.8″ / 60.45 cm, but you can just unscrew the fluid head if you need to make it smaller when you are traveling.
It is also important to note that these monopods don’t go that high, so if you need to shoot someone at eye level that is not going to be possible.
Key features
- Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
- Maximum Height: 54.2″
- Folded Length: 23.8″
- Sections: 4
- Weight: 2.31 lb
- Aluminum Leg Sections
- Twist Lock Joints
- Foam Grip, Wrist Strap
- Fluid Head with 501PL QR Plate
- Folding Fluid Base with Rubber Feet
Prive & Availability
The Element MII Fluid Video Monopod retails for $89.99 USD and the Element MII Video Monopod with Live Fluid Head retails for $169.99 USD.
