YC Onion Pineta Monopod Review

The PINETA MONOPOD is a monopod like no other. Firstly it doesn’t try to be small, even packed down to the smallest length, it measures in at 75cm, and then there’s the weight at 1.7kg. However, this is not a lightweight travel monopod; it’s more of a professional support. This monopod design is for those needing solid support with a bit of weight to keep cameras steady when shooting video, sports, wildlife, or, for that matter, any other scenario where movement and steadiness are required.

The design is innovative, and there’s no part of this monopod, aside from the single-leg design and addition of fold-down feet, that is like any other monopod I have looked at.

The single lever leg release is joined by the baseplate design developed to enable ultra-fast swapping from one support or platform to another. It works using a simple pulldown collar to release. Extension poles can also be added and locked in the same way; it’s all very impressive.

The PINETA ALUMINUM ALLOY MONOPOD is a monopod designed for speed and unparalleled support. It is not a standard lightweight monopod for the enthusiast and occasional use. This is for the Pro, who favours the flexibility and agility offered by single-legged support.

A monopod is designed to offer support when you want to travel light and don’t want to be burdened with the weight of a tripod. However, in recent years we’ve seen a new wave of monopod support that breaks from the mould by adding three small feet at the base. While this may seem slightly defeatest for the monopod make-up and a bit of a halfway house, the design has found favour with videographers.

The monopod structure takes the weight of the bulkier video and DSLR cameras, offers support and still gives the videographer or photographer flexibility to move with relative ease.

The YC Onion PINETA ALUMINUM ALLOY MONOPOD has been designed for those looking for a decent amount of support and flexibility. Something that has been covered by various manufacturers perfectly well over the years. However, YC Onion has approached this with their usual keen eye on innovation and delivered a product that excels in performance.

In this test, I’ve looked at the Aluminum version, but there is a carbon version available as well, although I cannot guarantee that the design is the same due to the material used.

What I know about the carbon version is that I have been supplied with the carbon extension tube, which is extremely lightweight and well-made.

Getting started with the monopod is much like any other; remove it from the fabric case, then extend ready to set up.

Starting at the top, there’s the quick-release plate that bolts to the base of your camera. This is YC Onion’s design and is where the innovation starts. Usually, a manufacturer’s design of quick-release plates is bad, but that usual cavitate is void here. This quick-release bolts to the base of your camera in the usual way and then clicks into the top of the monopod. It takes seconds or less. To release, you pull down the collar and pull up, and don’t worry; it’s almost impossible to release the base accidentally.

OK, so it might not enable the quick swapping between Arca Swiss compatible units, but when you start using this system, it’s more a case of wanting to swap from Arca to this rather than the other way around.

Then you have the leg release mechanism. Rather than individual leg locks, you have a single leg lock lever. Pull it up; then, the leg sections can drop down; pull the lever up, and the leg sections lock in place. Again getting the right height takes seconds.

With the leg extended to the height you want, you can then fold the three feet down. It’s as natural as any monopod system I’ve used.

The only downside is that the monopod is relatively weighty compared with other monopods, but then this is in a video monopod rather than photography. Although, of course, it could easily be used for either.

At the end of the test, the form and function of the PINETA ALUMINUM ALLOY MONOPOD can only be described as excellent. The weight may be an issue for stills photographers, but it is still lighter than most tripods, and its support and flexibility are well above most others. One of the best simple videos currently supports on the market.

Most monopods are straightforward, with several small, lightweight poles that can be extended to offer you single-legged support. Legs sections are usually fixed in place by individual leg locks, be that lever or twist and getting the monopod to a height usually takes a few seconds. Not difficult or time-consuming, but a process you must work through. Likewise, the baseplate or L-Bracket will need to be attached to the camera if not already in place.

The PINETA ALUMINUM ALLOY MONOPOD approaches things differently. It may not be Arca Swiss compatible and be a little large and weighty, but it’s been designed that way.

It’s designed for larger cameras, videographers and photographers who need support and flexibility. The single lever release for the legs is innovative and exceptionally fast. While I’ve seen this style of leg action release before, the YC Onions approach is incredibly well-considered and ultimately works effortlessly.

Likewise, the three small feet offer that extra support when out in the field and throwing a sandbag on the base; you could get it to double as a lighting stand; although probably not recommended, sometimes you need to adapt.

The quick release place within the confines of the YC ecosystem is fantastic, even compared with the Manfrotto MOVE Quick Release system.

Ultimately if you’re a professional and need a heavy-weight monopod with absolute ease of use and solid quality, then the PINETA ALUMINUM ALLOY MONOPOD is an ideal option.