Monopod, what's the diff?

I was looking into buying a monopod but they are so many choices ranging from $20 to $300. I have a invensted in a good tripod (manfrotto 055xprob) and has served me well. I wanted something that I could move around but I dont feel that I need to drop a ton of cash on a stick.

Based on your tripod selection I'm assuming you're not using some monstrous super telephoto. I'm quite happy with my Manfroto 679b monopod. I'd say the Manfrotto 679,680, or 681 series of pods would do you just fine and all are well under $100.

As long as the monopod supports the weight you need it to then there is no real reason to spend a bunch of money. I have a Manfrotto 679B (about $50) and a Jobu Design CF monopod (about $120). Carbon fiber will absorb more vibration than aluminum and isn't as cold to the touch in cold weather. Other than that the differences seemed minimal to me. I was going to buy a RRS monopod at $330 but decided it wasn't worth it to me to spend the extra, even though they make top-notch products. The 679 works for me just fine, so the Jobu Design was more of a want than a need.

I am researching a monopod to help with my sports photography at the moment.The main driver of price as far as I can see is the material it is made of. Aluminium is a lot cheaper than carbon fibre. I understand that carbon fibre is a lot lighter than Aluminium but is still very sturdy and is the material of choice especially if you are lugging it around with you.

That is about all I can contribute at the moment.Please let us know what you buy!

Plumtreelad wrote in post #14249269
I am researching a monopod to help with my sports photography at the moment.The main driver of price as far as I can see is the material it is made of. Aluminium is a lot cheaper than carbon fibre. I understand that carbon fibre is a lot lighter than Aluminium but is still very sturdy and is the material of choice especially if you are lugging it around with you.

That is about all I can contribute at the moment.Please let us know what you buy!

What you said is true but in the looking around I have done there really isn't a lot of weight difference between the aluminum and CF monopods. There is a lot less material involved than in a tripod so the difference is minimal, but for some purposes I suppose every ounce is taken into account.

I first looked at the Feisol monopods which are CF and relatively inexpensive, and well made. However, they were longer when closed than I wanted. I paid a premium for the Gitzo GM5561 which is five sections and collapses to about 21 inches or so.

It's beefy enough to handle a lone prime telephoto lens, but is very lightweight. I'm very happy with it, and for me it was worth the money.

I've also got the 055XPROB and recently purchased a Slik 382 CF monopod. I haven't had it long enough to really speak of the durability, but my first impressions of it were good. I will probably order a head for it before long. Something like the Manfrotto 234RC monopod head.

I am using manfrotto 681b and have no experience using other brands, but I love my manfrotto 055xprob and 681b though I use my tripod more than my monopod.

Good luck with your purchase.

I use an inexpensive Manfrotto monopod all the time and have not felt any need to upgrade. Unless you have a super heavy setup I don't see this as an area where spending more gets you more...

tvphotog - what head do you have for your gitzo 5561? thanks

hugues wrote in post #14253993
tvphotog - what head do you have for your gitzo 5561? thanks

The new Really Right Stuff MH-02 lever head. It has an indexing button that allows you to shift the head motion from 180 degrees side to side into 180 degrees front to back.

I found it to be very useful when switching a tele lens with its own plate to a short lens where the camera body plate is at a 90 angle to that of the lens collar plate on the tele.

It's easier to understand if you're worked with a monopod head that doesn't have this function to get a sense for why you need it.

I'm in the market for one also. I've been perusing the B&H site and came across the SLIK Lightly Pod III, 5 section monopod with mini ball head for $44.95. What I like about this one is the extended hgt....63.4". I'm 6-2" tall, and it looks like this one would fit the bill nicely. Anyone have any experience with the SLIK monopods? Thanks in advance.