STATING THE OBVIOUS

Most digital backs have a base ISO of 25, 50 or 100 - and this is not alot of sensitivity as the early evening draws near. The widest aperture for most medium format lenses is F2.8, so during the last couple of hours of daylight, shutter speeds in the 1/80th to 1/250th range are the norm. When shooting handheld I like to keep my shutter speeds at 2 to 3 times the focal length. Things begin to fall apart quickly, especially when trying to shoot F5.6 or smaller.

Another problem can be moving or swaying while taking a picture handheld. Good technique can help minimize move - such as having your legs set apart with one foot slightly ahead of another, keeping your arms tucked in and being aware of your breathing. We already think about composition, focus, metering, trying to time the shot - and now yoga!

I noticed that my keeper rate with the ZD was not as high as I felt it should be. I think I am guilty of swaying slightly forward when I push the shutter button. I am not sure, but whether a Canon 1Ds Mark II, a Leica M8 or the Mamiya ZD - I have back-focused images much more frequently than front focused images. So I think my technique is not the best. A tripod is the obvious solution to all these challenges; however, I dread carrying a tripod - especially when traveling. Without a doubt for the highest image quality possible, a tripod used with good technique (mirror lock-up and a cable release) is the right solution. But a tripod is not always practical.

USING A MONOPOD

Around Christmas time I was looking at monopods and one common accessory is the Bogen / Manfrotto 234 Swivel Tilt Monopod Head for about $25. The 234 is a very inexpensive accessory which makes tilting a camera mounted on a monopod much easier. However, the 234 only supports about 6 pounds and its construction is less than awe inspiring.  I certainly would not want to mount my $20,000 digital + $5,000 camera + $3,000 lens to a $25 trinket. After some more Googling I found the Really Right Stuff (RRS) MH-01 - High Capacity Monopod Solution. The MH-01 head costs $155 plus another $80 to $120 depending on which clamp you choose. RRS has put together several different kits with about a $10 discount compared to buying the items separately. I chose the B2 Pro II clamp because I like the rounded clamp design, and aesthetically I think the two knurled knobs make a beautiful industrial statement. I have one of RRS’s lever clamps too, but I prefer the knob design. After some more searching on RRS’ site I found a plate (model # B43AF) for the Mamiya 645AF family - which works for the 645AFD, 645AFD II, 645AFD III and presumably the Phase One P645. I bought the B43AF plate and fits the Mamiya ZD perfectly.

The RSS site talks about the Gitzo monopods, but Gitzo is a bit rich for my wallet. I bought a Bogen / Manfrotto 681B at B&H Photo for $49.95 including shipping. B&H was running a Christmas special at the time, so it was quite the deal. The whole package including MH-01, B2 Pro II Clamp, B43AF Plate and Manfrotto 681B Monopod was about $400, so it was not a bargain-based solution. But trust me, once you see and handle the MH-01 in person you will understand the price. The MH-01 is beautifully crafted and made of aluminum and alloys. RRS has well deserved reputation for making excellent gear and the MH-01 is no exception. The MH-01 supports up to 75 pounds! I carry the Mamiya ZD with the Mamiya 200mm F2.8 APO over my shoulder. My only worry is that the MH-01 may spin loose from the monopod. A couple drops of Loctite® could fix that problem, but I like to break down the entire monopod kit so it fits in our suitcases.

LIFE WITH A MONOPOD

Since using the MH-01 the keeper has gone up. The Mamiya ZD is easier to focus because the camera is not bobbing up and down, and the camera is on a somewhat more stable platform. A monopod will not replace a tripod, but a monopod is an option that falls somewhere in the middle between a tripod and shooting handheld. When waiting for the decisive moment, the MH-01 makes all the difference. Handholding the ZD for 2 or 3 minutes waiting for shot can be very tiring. With a monopod the waiting game is no problem.

One downside with the MH-01 is the inability to rotate the ZD into portrait orientation. The same would be true with the 645AFD family. If you are using a lens with a tripod collar, then rotating between landscape and portrait orientation is a non-issue. My only other niggle is the B43AF safety catch. The Markins plates have a spring loaded pin to keep the plate from accidently sliding out of the clamp. The RRS plate & clamp uses a hex screw to limit the plate’s travel. This does not seem very effective and it will scratch the finish on the clamp. Maybe this solution is better executed on the other camera plates, but it is pretty lame attempt on the B43AF plate. I do not use hex screw and so far there have not been any mishaps, but I am very careful when mounting and dismounting the ZD set-up from the RSS clamp.