Monopod...does this look like a good deal?

I am looking for an inexpensive monopod for an upcoming trip....

What do you guys think of this??

http://cgi.ebay.com …PageName=ADME:B​:WNA:US:12

There are threads here about which monopods to avoid. If your camera+lens isn't too heavy, it may be fine. I don't trust any monopod with my 5D. It's just too heavy. I have 2 monopods, both are inexpensive and I only use them when I have to.

It's really hard to judge the quality of a piece of hardware without actually holding it and working with it, especially if the brand name is not a familiar one. I guess you have to weigh the perceived value against the risks of doing business with unknown vendors.

That unit looks suspiciously similar to a Promaster monopod I have (and paid $50 for). It works fine and supports 5 pounds of camera and lens without issue.

You get what you pay for. 70 inches of shaky extension isn't worth anything. I ended up giving away lots of tripods and monopods that I collected over the years after I started getting the good stuff. I would invest in one that you'll keep and will work. A monpods should do the following...
1. When extended it should not be loose or shaky.
2. The head should have metal connections that you can trust not to drop your camera! or you should not use any head at all and connect the camera directly to the monopod. The monopods should be setup to do this.
3. Rubber ball foot and spike foot
4. Quick adjusting
5. If you let go of the camera, the support should keep the camera rigidly in place with no movement of subject frame. And that's with a good sized lens on the end like 70-200 2.8L IS.

I trust Manfrotto and Giotto and they aren't that much more.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …&sb=ps&sq=asc&f​i=all&pn=2

I could tell you horror stories about supposedly good tripods and monopods and some of them were $119.

SuzyView wrote in post #2528826
I don't trust any monopod with my 5D. It's just too heavy.

Sorry, that makes no sence. You must not have good ones.

It would help if we knew what you planned to support?

I hear what your saying about holding one to get the feel of it...Unfortunalty the professional Camera shop in the area went out of business about a year ago and the only other places is SOOO over priced I can't even walk in there..They charge more than retail if you can beleive that.

As for weight the heavist combo I would have is my XTi with a 70-300 EF USM Lens. Not that heavey really.

I ordered a filter from these guys, they seem to have good prices...filter should arrive today.

tjrenegade wrote in post #2528893
I hear what your saying about holding one to get the feel of it...Unfortunalty the professional Camera shop in the area went out of business about a year ago and the only other places is SOOO over priced I can't even walk in there..They charge more than retail if you can beleive that.

As for weight the heavist combo I would have is my XTi with a 70-300 EF USM Lens. Not that heavey really.

I ordered a filter from these guys, they seem to have good prices...filter should arrive today.

If you are going to buy online site unseen then buy from B&H. You can always call them and ask them about the product and they'll give you the truth. They are an awesome technical resource.

I understand the filters, but name brand filters are a no brainer some times.

Ok thanks for the info....I been buying from BH for a while...they have great service...never called them. Guess I will pick up the Bogen or the Giotto instead...I'd rather spend a few extra bucs and know I got something decent.

No, they are decent monopods, I just don't want anything to happen with the 5D since I just got it.

I think the lens would break off the camera lens mount before a camara came off of a Manfrotto rated for the weight. There are just rock solid dependable. I've got a manfrotto bracket that I've mounted to my bike to take moving shoots. I was more worried about the filter.