What's a good monopod?

[slyone]

Hi, I probably should look into getting a monopod to help stable my shots. I've never used one, suggestions, links..Thanks!

[SBCmetroguy]

Mine is a Promaster (I can't remember the model number.) It was only about $60 and well worth it. I see you have the 70-200mm L and I really don't know how much that lens weighs. But I'd assume it would work fine for that. It seems like a really stable monopod and is capable of going extremely tall, depending on your height.

[zacker]

I got the Manfrotto with the little leggs...works well and its built like a tank!!

[SBCmetroguy]

I got the Manfrotto with the little leggs...works well and its built like a tank!!

I just pulled that up on B&H to see what you're talking about. Wow, now THAT is a monopod. :lol: It DOES look like it's built like a tank and $126 isn't a bad price. It's essentially a misshapen tripod, having the little legs on the bottom and all... but looks like it doesn't require the kind of space a tripod requires. Nice!

[JohnJ80]

Good: Manfrotto 680
Better: Gitzo 2940 Basalt or Feisol
Best: Gitzo 1568 or the 2540 (its replacement with 6X CF) see:

http://www.gitzo.com/Jahia/site/gitzo/pid/3402

J

[Jonathan Consiglio]

My Giottos is nice and very sturdy. It also has 3 legs inside, and you can also use two at the head so it's closed up and lays on it's side and is only the length of the little legs off the ground. It's alot sturdier than using all three legs...

[SkipD]

I am quite pleased with the affordable Bogen/Manfrotto 680B monopod topped off with a Bogen/Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head. It is not only affordable, but it collapses to a nice package for carrying. It is quite strong as well.

[JohnJ80]

what do you use the ballhead on it for?

J.

[slyone]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I will in fact have to get one since lugging around the Canon tripod doesn't work well and is probably considered too cheao as well. Seems like the Bogen/Manfrotto 680B will be the one for me;)

[MrChad]

I use a Manfrotto mono-pod with a Manfrotto mono-pod head....

I use Manfrotto gear for almost all of my support needs (for camera gear :) )

[Knightshade]

I have the 680B as well, have been really happy with it, although I do feel like I'm carrying a billy club around at times. :D

[SkipD]

what do you use the ballhead on it for?The ball head allows a tremendous amount of versatility in how I can use the monopod.

I don't like being limited to standin in front of it with the monopod held vertically.

I will sometimes have the monopod out at an angle because I am seated somewhere. The monopod foot may be off to one side or the other as well. I just like the ability to use the monopod in any way that happens to work for any given situation, and the ball head gives me that flexibility.

[BearLeeAlive]

A good test to find out just how usable a ballhead is on a monopod is to try using one for a while, even if it is a larger one kicking around. After a few hours of using it and checking out its capabilities, try shooting without. I inadvertently did this test. I had taken my ballhead off for traveling and forgot it behind. I tried to used the monopod without the ballhead and was very frustrated by the limitations it now exhibited.

I use my monopod lots for chasing down insects and getting at them from awkward angles, with my 100-400 with sitting at the ready waiting for that perfect timed shot, or even with my small primes in low light just to help that little bit more.

I'm one of those that hardly ever use my tripod.

[foxbat]

The Feisol is a mini-Gitzo. Very well built and being CF is as light as a feather. Check it out.

[onBit]

Do the Gitzo Monopod twist-lock work the same way as on the tripods ? when upon extending you can twist once and all the legs extend ? i was testing one in the store and could not get this to work like the G1257 tripod legs, one twist and all sections extend.

[René Damkot]

Depends. If the monopod is a new one, with ALR (Anti Leg Rotate), yes.

[condyk]

The Feisol is a mini-Gitzo. Very well built and being CF is as light as a feather. Check it out.

Yup ... good monopod: I had one. I have the Manfrotto Neotec (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=196793) now and it is very usable and super fast to put up and take down which is the biggest advantage.

[JohnJ80]

The ball head allows a tremendous amount of versatility in how I can use the monopod.

I don't like being limited to standin in front of it with the monopod held vertically.

I will sometimes have the monopod out at an angle because I am seated somewhere. The monopod foot may be off to one side or the other as well. I just like the ability to use the monopod in any way that happens to work for any given situation, and the ball head gives me that flexibility.

Hmm. interesting. I have used a monopod extensively and just screw a RRS clamp on top. I've never felt the need to have a ballhead or other head other than the manfrotto 3232 with clamp and L bracket. When I do use the 3232, probably 10% of the time do I actually change the angle. I'm shooting mostly sports, but not limited to that.

J.