The Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods is a bracket that fits against the shoulder to provide extra support and greater stability to a monopod. One end connects to the top of the monopod via the monopod's 3/8" screw, and the other end features a curved shoulder support, with an adjustable pivoting arm in between.
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Most Liked Positive Review
A simple product that works
If Manfrotto's name had not been on it, I would have passed on this brace because it's made primarily of plastic and the relatively low price looked too good to be true. I'm glad ...Read complete review
If Manfrotto's name had not been on it, I would have passed on this brace because it's made primarily of plastic and the relatively low price looked too good to be true. I'm glad I took the plunge.
Primarily I bought it to steady my monopod on a trip to China, where weight restrictions on internal flights mean I can't carry my tripod and at 71, I worry about staying steady for "once in a lifetime" shots.
That test is still to come, but my first week of using the device leaves me quite pleased. It really does lock the camera and stick into the body and it follows nicely with moves and turns. Perhaps the coolest discovery so far is that it helps support belly shots, e.g. laying in the sand, allowing me to get into really akward positions, shooting through seagrass while holding steady a heavy camera.
I haven't tried it for video yet, but just going through the motions it appears it will also be helpful for for that, both with and without the monopod.
Just one caution. The brace connects to the camera/monopod with a large thumbscrew. Don't over-tighten. I couldn't undo the combo in the field and had to resort (gently) to oversize pliers when I got home.
It is more than worth the price and I'm betting it will save some "priceless" shots.
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Most Liked Negative Review
Too long, too much padding.
I bought this product approximately a year ago and very quickly retired it to a shelf. I used it with a monopod, Bogen/Manfrotto 3232 (now known as 234) tilt head, and a...Read complete review
I bought this product approximately a year ago and very quickly retired it to a shelf. I used it with a monopod, Bogen/Manfrotto 3232 (now known as 234) tilt head, and a Pentax K10D with the camera mounted on the head itself - I did not own any lenses with feet at that time.
Even at its shortest setting, it was simply way too long to allow me to get my eye to the viewfinder, unless I moved the brace significantly downwards on my chest. At this point the unit is angled so much that any stability gains are lost - If anything I had an easier time handholding the camera!
A year later, I decided to revisit this unit with the same 234 tilt head and a Sigma 50-500 lens (which has a foot). Even when mounted to the lens foot of a long lens, this brace is STILL too long to allow the camera viewfinder to reach one's eye!
In addition, the foam padding on top of the brace's mounting area is too thick. When you torque down a 234 head (which does not have a smooth bottom, it is hollowed out except for four cross-braces on the bottom of the head at the mounting area), the foam warps to the point where it begins separating from the mount area. I find this incompatibility strange, since the 234 is Bogen/Manfrotto's special "designed for monopods" head solution - So why doesn't it work well with their "designed for monopods" shoulder brace?
I can only see this product being useful with a camcorder or point-and-shoot, since both have "live view" viewfinders that do not have to be right up to your eye.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
I was surprised at how much more stability this product adds to the use of a monopod. It certainly doesn't replace a tripod but is quick & handy. I use it with vibe reduction lenses & it yields good sharp focus...better than just the monopod by itself.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
A professional video shooter recommended this for stabilizing hand help video shots. There are so many pricey rigs out there for DSLR video shooting...this is a simple and inexpensive solution, which with a little practice yeilds great, smooth results - with or without a monopod. can;t beat it for the $.
Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
The design of the shoulder brace is great. I was fearing that it would be a cumbersome add-on with very little utility, but it fits the monopod like a glove and after a week, I constantly rely on it. The stability it adds for shooting HDSLR video makes it a must have accessory.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
Yes it is plastic, but it's also very light. Nice brace for shooting video on a monopod (the only one in existance that I could find).
Best used to brace against a pole/tree/wall/etc, but also helps a little against your body.
The button is for tightening to the monopod. Once released it allows 360d swivel.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
I bought this as a gift for a friend who has recently purchased a Gitzo monopod. The Manfrotto sales material said the brace fits all monopods. It does not, however, fit the Gitzo GM5541. The quality and the design of the brace are very good, so it's very disappointing that the item doesn't fit "all monopods" as advertised.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
Have not used it except for practice in the house, but it seems like it will work fine as well as easy to work. Cant always take a big tripod with you, but this makes a Monopod work very well, with long lenses.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
This shoulder brace makes your monopod MUCH more stable. I have used it to take several High Dynamic Range (HDR) images (3 and 5-shot groups). Much quicker to get into action than a tripod (not to mention much lighter to carry into the wilds). If you only need it for that "once-in-a-lifetime" image, it's WELL worth the cost.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
When travelling with a group of nonphotographers, a tripod is usually not the answer (even though I wish it was). My Manfrotto monopod has been my constant companion but I always was looking for a way to make it even more stable. This brace does the job in controlling roll. Lightweight, well made, and folds out of the way when not being used.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
Bought this shoulder brace for my manfrotto monopod. Like it so much, I hardly use my tripod. Provides a lot of stability, that I did not have. Screws right into my lenses from the monopod. Wish I bought it sooner.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
Tried to use this brace on the monopod that I own but it did not work. Tried to screw onto my Nikon D5000 but that also did not work. Measurements on my monopod and camera threads were 1/4" male and female. The shoulder brace measurements was 3/8" female threads which would have attach to the monopod head. Attaching to the camera the threads were 3/8" male also. Overview said "for monopods" thought that it might have worked on my monopod. The 3/8" threads should have clued me in so I should have measured the threads on my monopod and camera first. Must be brand "Manfrotto" specific?
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
small easy good for video
Pros
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
It looks and might feel flimsy, but this ad-on by manfrotto does it's job to the max. With this my shot are steadier and easier to capture.
Overall, I would recommend this.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
If Manfrotto's name had not been on it, I would have passed on this brace because it's made primarily of plastic and the relatively low price looked too good to be true. I'm glad I took the plunge.
Primarily I bought it to steady my monopod on a trip to China, where weight restrictions on internal flights mean I can't carry my tripod and at 71, I worry about staying steady for "once in a lifetime" shots.
That test is still to come, but my first week of using the device leaves me quite pleased. It really does lock the camera and stick into the body and it follows nicely with moves and turns. Perhaps the coolest discovery so far is that it helps support belly shots, e.g. laying in the sand, allowing me to get into really akward positions, shooting through seagrass while holding steady a heavy camera.
I haven't tried it for video yet, but just going through the motions it appears it will also be helpful for for that, both with and without the monopod.
Just one caution. The brace connects to the camera/monopod with a large thumbscrew. Don't over-tighten. I couldn't undo the combo in the field and had to resort (gently) to oversize pliers when I got home.
It is more than worth the price and I'm betting it will save some "priceless" shots.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
this small shoulder brace is nice and compact, very light weight (which I appreciate) and helps to steady a short (10-15 second) hand held video clip on my DSLR for a run and gun news situation. You can also attach it to your monopod for a steady longer clip. Some of these DSLR rigs are insanely expensive so this is a great priced option with good functionality.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
A client had this in their 5D package and I thought "how can you go wrong for less than $25". I use it as a chest brace to complete the triangle with my arms... works well for hand held run and gun. Haven't used it much with a monopod as intended.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
I haven't used this with a monopod yet. Although it would probably be a nice point of contact. The salesmen said it had to be used with one. it doesn't. This screws in to the bottom of your camera. with another screw hole for the monopod to screw in.it's small and perfect for a little bit of support, especially when you need to be low profile. or can't carry anything else. It tucks to your armpit, or chest. I've been kind of resting it on the front of my chest. I wish it had a locking pivot, and a locking brace buttt, to keep it from moving around. But for under $30. it does what it does. I saw it listed on [...], and came to B&H as soon as I could. i think this should be the precursor to something small light weight and cheap, for DSLR's. instead of the rail systems, which are a straight out pain to carry around and set up, to shoot anything.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
I bought this shoulder brace for a DIY project where I wanted to use it with a pistol grip. It's VERY well built like all Manfrotto products. And it works great to steady my HDSLR on my monopod while shooting video. really solves some ergonomic problems with the HDSLR's.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
I got this both to use with my monopod and as a hand held brace with my Panasonic GH2. Works great and built well. This is a great little item to have with you when you need to do some quick hand held shooting.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
Brace attached perfectly to my Manfrotto 3006 monopod. The design is well thought out and allows for adjustment irregardless of the attachment to a camera body or lens.
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Comments about Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods:
Plan to use this w/ my Canon IV and 500mm lens in Africa shooting wildlife. It seems to handle very well and add stability to my monopod. I haven't used it a lot yet but tests well.
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