Review on 🔍 Improved SEO: Manfrotto 678 Monopod Folding Base, Universally Compatible (Black) by Sonya Ray

I got the foldable base with the 680B monopod so I don't have to take my tripod anywhere; Stuffing a monopod in a case was an attractive idea. So getting a base meant having an ultra-portable tripod without having to pay for the carbon fiber equivalent. Firstly, a monopod without a base is only good when there is a lot of light. In this case, you may not want to use a monopod/tripod at all. If you follow the instructions that came with the foldable base, you'll end up with a pretty unstable footing as you extend the monopod further, say 3 feet. The instructions ask you not to use a spacer (detail D); If you don't do this, end up attaching the base to the body of the main monopod with a set of three tiny screws leaving a gap of about 5mm between the body and the base body (part B) all the way around. This setup creates a weak stand at the bottom. At this point I haven't even tried to put on a 75-300mm lens. However, I went ahead and installed the spacer at the bottom of the monopod, leaving about an inch of the length of the monopod "open" and then tightened the screws. It made a HUGE difference and the monopod was able to support my 75-300mm lens without tipping forward and down. Please note that shortly after mounting such a large lens, the monopod will shake, so you'll have to wait for it to settle down. Then, using the remote shutter release, I was able to get some pretty clear shots in my family room with a lot less glare. So if you adjust the base a bit differently than above, you get a much sturdier version of the monopod with a tripod. The base adds to the overall weight, turning it into a 2.25-pound monopod with a panoramic head. I definitely plan on shooting the 4th of July fireworks with it and will see if it (monopod + base) replaces a real tripod.