Looking for options for inexpensive monopod

This would be used for a 70-200 2.8L IS with extender mainly. Occasional 300 2.8 (when I rent one)

There are a boat load of monopods via BHPhoto under $50.

I'm 6'4" and really need one at least 72"

Plan on using when shooting football games or other sports events.

Let me know what ya think, Thanks!

Remember that your camera will add some height to your Mono Pod setup so you may not need a full 72 inches height.
If you don't want to spend too much money but still want a quality, lightweight, carbon mono pod then have a look at the Sirui P324 : http://www.amazon.com …pod-section/dp/B006JZ7Q34
I have it's bigger brother (the P424) which is a fine piece of kit and isn't shamed (too much) by my Gitzo stuff.
Sirui offer some genuinely good products at very sensible prices.

This is the one I use for 600mm lenses or longer: http://www.amazon.com …ion-Monopod/dp/B006JZ7QKW

While a quality tripod demands quality materials and workmanship, it's pretty safe to say that monopods are nothing more than a camera-mount on a stick.
For this reason, I've been extremely happy with my Manfrotto 679B when I've used it.
It's made of aluminum, has a versatile top for mounting various heads, and extends very far.
I think I purchased it for less than US $50 a few years ago, and it's been a great monopod.
You can put nearly any head on it that you want, and it's very stable.
I currently use it with an Amvona clone of the 486 RC-2 ballhead, and it easily accepts
my Manfrotto 488 RC-2 ballhead, which I find to be quite versatile.

While the 486-clone head may not be up to supporting larger weights, the 488 is certainly up to the task, with the monopod delivering on the stability factor. You're sure to find similar heads to support your gear on such a monopod, if you choose this route.

I've had it fully supporting my Soligor lenses(Tokina-made) of 75-260mm and 400mm designs, as well as supporting a Tamrom SP 60-300mm "dust-pumper" to very good results, and these expirements cover the 486 and 488 heads combined.

Why would you need to have a ball head? Just curious on that. Most of what I'd be shooting would be football.... softball, you know horizontal sports. Just just on that, thanks for the input!

javapop wrote in post #16176540
Why would you need to have a ball head? Just curious on that!

Uhm, just because you could easily use your tripod's heads on your monopods?

Just a suggestion...

If you are going to use lenses like a 300 f2.8 I would not recommend a ball head on a mono pod - pinched fingers will be the least of your worries! A tilt head is OK but I don't use mine on anything bigger than my 300 F2.8.

Well, why shouldn't someone use a ballhead on a monopod?

If you've got the heads to use, why not use them?

I use my ballheads interchangably all the time; it doesn't mean I have any reason to keep them as exclusive to any given tripod or monopod setup. After all, I don't have the disposable income for that sort of dedicated rig setup, so why would anyone assume otherwise?

SkedAddled wrote in post #16178985
Well, why shouldn't someone use a ballhead on a monopod?

I think what they are trying to say is that they have no need of a ballhead on a monopod and probably feel that applies to most people in most situations. I have Manfrotto ballheads but wouldn't dream of using them on the monopod. I have no need of a ballhead in any situation I can imagine where I am using a monopod and I don't want to introduce any unnecessary complications, points of failure or finger-pinchers into the mix. YMMV.

I bought a nice used Gitzo for about $100. Amazing how many people buy them and then never use them.

SkedAddled wrote in post #16178985
Well, why shouldn't someone use a ballhead on a monopod?

If you've got the heads to use, why not use them?

I use my ballheads interchangably all the time; it doesn't mean I have any reason to keep them as exclusive to any given tripod or monopod setup. After all, I don't have the disposable income for that sort of dedicated rig setup, so why would anyone assume otherwise?

With heavy lenses ball heads are not generally a good idea on a tripod, let alone a mono pod. When I use my 300 F2.8 + camera it is a total of about 4 kilos, this can tilt uncontrollably if you do not set the friction just right and if you do then the setup is too stiff to maneuver. It is simply less convenient than attaching the mono pod directly to the lens or using a tilt only head (though even this can be iffy for bigger lenses).
I very neatly dumped a few grands worth of lens + camera learning this lesson - I was lucky as I still had my neck strap on, I don't want others to have an expensive lesson.
As to expense - NOT using a ball head on a mono pod is free so I don't see that disposable income is an issue.

Buying a tripod is like a trip to a Chinese restaurant. You can only pick two of the following three:
Cheap
Sturdy
Light

Dj R wrote in post #16184402
Buying a tripod is like a trip to a Chinese restaurant. You can only pick two of the following three:
Cheap
Sturdy
Light

Not always:
Price - 90GBP - not exactly free but not expensive.
Sturdy - rated at 12 kilos.
Light - 500 grams
Model Gitzo GM2541.

Dj R wrote in post #16184402
Buying a tripod is like a trip to a Chinese restaurant. You can only pick two of the following three:
Cheap
Sturdy
Light

johnf3f wrote in post #16189365
Not always:
Price - 90GBP - not exactly free but not expensive.
Sturdy - rated at 12 kilos.
Light - 500 grams
Model Gitzo GM2541.

The GM2541 is not a tripod. The first quote above still stands.

SkipD wrote in post #16189466
The GM2541 is not a tripod. The first quote above still stands.

OP is looking for a monopod

I use the Manfrotto 680B. It's a little over the $50 mark you mentioned. After playing with a few in the local camera shop, I decided the little extra cost over some of the cheaper ones on hand, was well worth the piece of mind that my gear felt safe (to me at least). I now use it mostly with my 100-400 attached to my 7D, and I never have the feeling it will colapse or bend in two, if I swing around with it too much.