monopod for 40d

do any of you all have any recommendations? i don't want to spend an arm and a leg

What lens are you going to be using on the camera? Monopods don't gain you much in the way of steadiness, but are used more for supporting the weight of a heavy lens, like a 400mm f2.8 or larger...

JWright wrote in post #6288693
What lens are you going to be using on the camera? Monopods don't gain you much in the way of steadiness, but are used more for supporting the weight of a heavy lens, like a 400mm f2.8 or larger...

i humbly and respectfully disagree. I am quite a bit more steady with a monopod on a longer lens then without. even with my 70-200 which isn't heavy at all there is a noticeable difference. could be due to my utter lack of form but whatever the case i get more keepers with a monopod. that being said its no substitute for a tripod.

J.

mep42 wrote in post #6288444
do any of you all have any recommendations? i don't want to spend an arm and a leg

i have the Manfrotto 681B with 486RC2 Ballhead. its a pretty robust combination but it was a good compromise as far as price goes. i want to say the combination was like 90 bucks or so but i cant remember. if i had the extra coin i probably would have gone with a carbon fiber one to save the weight. Also the 486 head is good for medium size lenses like 70-200's and similar but if you get something longer (read bigger) you should probably go with one of those tilt brackets instead of a ball head. when I've rented bigger lenses my ballhead has given me problems.

Edit: looks like it was more like $150

I also like the Manfrotto 681 or 681B

This is an amazing pod; light, tall and sturdy plus relatively inexpensive. The only shortcoming is that being a 3 section pod, it doesn't collapse into a very short package. However the reason it is lighter and sturdier is because of being only a 3-section pod.

I have noticed that many carbon fiber pods of this height and capacity are not a whole lot lighter in weight but, certainly are a whole lot more expensive.

I use my 681 (BTW, the 681 is the 681B in aluminum color which has been discontinued in favor of the 681B) with a Kirk MPA-1 head which is the Manfrotto monopod swivel head with the addition of a Kirk Arca Compatible Quick release.

The Manfrotto swivel head with RC-2 Quick release system is quite a bit less expensive but, cannot use Arca Compatible plates such as the RRS L-plate.

No matter what the weight of your gear, I think monopod should be an essential part of your set up. If you happen to be shooting in the lowlight or poorly lit indoors without an IS lens, your monopod will provide that extra stability to make a huge difference. Having said that, the CHOICE of your monopod should be based on how much weight you intend to place on top of it, as well as how long you'd like it to last...

EDIT: By the way, I use the Manfrotto 3245 "Automatic" Monopod w/3229 Tilt Head QR when I'm not loading heavy stuff, and I use the Gitzo GM-3550 Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod w/3229 Tilt Head QR for heavy weight, as well as for hiking with a metal spike. The Gitzo did cost me an arm and a leg, but I don't think I'll ever have to buy another monopod...

Take a look at the Manfrotto 680B. Very popular around here and affordable as well at around 60 bucks.

Manfrotto 681 here... great for 70-200s, 100-400... no head, yet...

Got it for free, totally out of the blue one day... I walked in to my mom's place one morning, and she introduced me to this guy who turns out is a co-owner of a local camera store... I had my camera bag on my shoulder at the time, and he recognized it for what it was, and we got to talking... along the way I mentionned that I had been looking for a tripod for sports... he picked up his cell, called the store, and had one set aside for me to pick up... then told me to stop by whenever I get a chance to pick it up, no charge... I would have preferred the black version, but I was not about to complain at that point!
I'm now on the market for a tripod... have gone to his store a few times, played around with what is on display, but he's never there (or so it seems). I do want to buy it from there, and don't want him to give me a discount. I just want him to see I'm shopping in his store, as a way to say thanks!

For maximum versatility at a moderate price, I chose and use the Manfrotto 680B monopod topped off with their 486RC2 ball head.

I use their 488RC2 ball head on my most-used tripod (and other heads with the ...RC2 quick release systems on my other tripod).

I also have enough quick release plates to leave them permanently attached to every camera body and lens (that has a tripod mount) that I use on tripods or the monopod.