Travel/Compact Monopod Recommendations?

Looking for a decent monopod and head that will fit inside a Lowepro Flipside 400. I don't use a monopod regularly (I have an old Manfrotto that never sees any use), but I need one for a specific event that I'll be flying cross country for.

It needs to support my 50D and Tamron 70-300VC. I'm not bringing much with me, so I plan/hope to store the monopod in the longest section inside the bag which is up to 16" (smaller would be ok too).

I'm 5'11", so extended height should be within reason.

Any suggestions/recommenda​tions?

Manfrotto MMC3-01 Compact Monopod is my favourite for compact/travel use. I use it far more than the Giottos GTMML 3290B that I also own. I am also 5' 11 and find the MMC3-01 just slightly below eye height without a ball-head, with a ball head it is just right.

Yes, the MMC3-01 is only rated for 1.5kgs, and yes it is not as sturdy as heavier monopods, but for it's cheap price, light weight and easy to stow in a camera bag, I always carry it with me in my camera bag to use with my 6D and 70-200 F4. It does the job adequately. I usually just attach it direct to the tripod collar on my lens and it saves me bearing the weight of the camera and lens over an extended basis.

I think you may find your options limited if you want a taller monopod (ie for shooting over a crowd) and yet still retain a folded lenght below 16". I could not find anything along those lines at the time I bought the Giottos (I wanted something bigger than the MMC3-01) but in reality I find the Giottos just too long for day to day hauling around.

That looks pretty decent, but I'm a little concerned about the load capacity. Doesn't seem like much.

I found the Sirui P-306, and P-326. Along with the MMC3-01, that brings it to three possibilities so far. Prices ranging from $25 to $100.

One thing I do prefer about the Manfrotto is the lever lock. I'm not really fond of the twist lock type on the Sirui.

If you want to consider a dual purpose tripod then look at the meFoto line. I saw one yesterday at a camera show and it is impressive. I don't like the screw type leg clamps (as opposed to flip levers) but otherwise it seemed to be a nice sturdy travel pod. Go to http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ngAug&is=REG&Q=​&A=details to see one. By the way some are marked "titanium" meaning a silver color, not made from the material titanium.

Those look good, the size is perfect, but I already have two tripods, and to spend nearly $200 for a multi-use, I'd be better off getting a decent pod and an awesome head. Also the weight of 3.3lbs is more then what I'd like.

I think I'm leaning towards the Sirui, but not sure which one.

KirkS518 wrote in post #16944620
That looks pretty decent, but I'm a little concerned about the load capacity. Doesn't seem like much.

I found the Sirui P-306, and P-326. Along with the MMC3-01, that brings it to three possibilities so far. Prices ranging from $25 to $100.

One thing I do prefer about the Manfrotto is the lever lock. I'm not really fond of the twist lock type on the Sirui.

I agree, the flip levers are definitely superior to the twist locks. Another you should look at is the Benro A38F. At least I think I got that model right. It was priced at the camera show yesterday at the mid $60 plus some show discounts. It is slightly longer than the Sirui since it is four sections as opposed to five but about the same "open" height. Much higher in weight capacity but I'm not sure how that is determined in a monopod.

KirkS518 wrote in post #16944620
That looks pretty decent, but I'm a little concerned about the load capacity. Doesn't seem like much.

I found the Sirui P-306, and P-326. Along with the MMC3-01, that brings it to three possibilities so far. Prices ranging from $25 to $100.

One thing I do prefer about the Manfrotto is the lever lock. I'm not really fond of the twist lock type on the Sirui.

I have the P-326. It's excellent. I strongly prefer twist locks to lever locks. The only tripod/monopod I own (6 in total) that is a lever lock is the Manfrotto 055xprob, which was my first "real" tripod. Since then, all my support legs have had twist locks and they've been much easier to use in my experience.

I've decided on one of the Sirui's, either the P-306 or the P-326.

Now to pick a ball head...

I also have a SIRUI P-326... use it with my 5D3 + 600 F4 II among other things. Great cheap monopod. I don't use a ball head on mine... don't see the point for how I use it. I did fit in the back pocket of my Canon EG200 backpack (with no ball head)

John from PA wrote in post #16944751
I agree, the flip levers are definitely superior to the twist locks.

I prefer twist locks.

KirkS518 wrote in post #16944817
I've decided on one of the Sirui's, either the P-306 or the P-326.

Now to pick a ball head...

Why a ball head?

v35skyline wrote in post #16945496
Why a ball head?

Freedom of movement while retaining stability is probably the best way to say it. A pan/tilt or monopod head (IMO) is not as flexible.

KirkS518 wrote in post #16945558
Freedom of movement while retaining stability is probably the best way to say it. A pan/tilt or monopod head (IMO) is not as flexible.

If you already had a ball head and you just wanted to swap it over from your tripod, I wouldn't see anything wrong with that. I don't know if I would recommend buying a ball head specifically for the monopod, though.

There are a lot of ways to use a monopod. So it depends on your shooting style and what you're shooting, but a tilt head is usually all that's needed.

Yeah, I'm going to use my BH off my tripod. I prefer pan/tilt on tripods, and would probably like a tilt on a monopod. The ball head I have isn't that great, and I've been wanting to upgrade it on the tripod, so I'll probably leave it on the mono, and get something else for the tripod.

another Sirui P326 user, it's really small beast with solid sturdy feel.