Tripod and Monopod Recommendations

Looking to buy a tripod and monopod.

Monopod would be used for light travel.

Tripod would be used to shoot outdoors/indoors. I have a Rebel XSi. Heaviest lens would be 70-200 f/4.

What budget?

Have you seen the sticky?

René Damkot wrote in post #6423690
What budget?

Have you seen the sticky?

Wow cool. Thanks.

I'm looking to spend under $200 on each....

Under $200 on a monopod, for a good one, no problem. Under $200 on a tripod with head.... I dont know... About under 100 for a monopod and under 300 for a tripod and head?

ben_r_ wrote in post #6426477
Under $200 on a monopod, for a good one, no problem. Under $200 on a tripod with head.... I dont know... About under 100 for a monopod and under 300 for a tripod and head?

I'm willing to try to find one used... I would just like to know what tripods people recommend.

Well for a monopod I recommend a Bogen 680B which is about $70. For a tripod and head I recommend a Bogen 055XPROB set of legs with a Bogen 488RC2 ballhead. These three items are definitely the most commonly purchased by people around here. Best bang for the buck IMO.

ben_r_ wrote in post #6429731
Well for a monopod I recommend a Bogen 680B which is about $70. For a tripod and head I recommend a Bogen 055XPROB set of legs with a Bogen 488RC2 ballhead. These three items are definitely the most commonly purchased by people around here. Best bang for the buck IMO.

And they have those good sounding, good feeling lever flip locks.

jr_senator wrote in post #6431283
And they have those good sounding, good feeling lever flip locks.

Yes they both do.

Manfrotto 680B or 681B

Both of these are very good monopods at a very reasonable price. The main difference between them is that the 680B is a four-section pod and the 681B is a three section pod.

I use the Manfrotto 681 (which is the aluminum color version of the black 681B as the 680 is an aluminum colored 680B) and like it because it is very lightweight for its height and stability (because it is a three section pod) but, this pod doesn't collapse as short as the 680 (again, because it is a three-section pod).

I use a Kirk MPA-1 monopod head on my 681. The MPA-1 is a Manfrotto monopod swivel head with a Kirk Arca compatible quick release. This way, I can use all my Arca compatible plates including the great Really Right Stuff L-Bracket.

The Manfrotto monopod swivel head can also be obtained with a Manfrotto RC-2 quick release system which will allow the use of any of your RC2 plates.

The Manfrotto 681B with a Manfrotto RC-2 monopod swivel head should run in the area of about $100, new.

jr_senator wrote in post #6431283
And they have those good sounding, good feeling lever flip locks.

Exactly what I don't like on them

Upgrade the weight borne to a 5D, 100-400 and 580. Same suggestions? I want a tripod that is strong enough to carry this combination and pretty vibration-resistant (including when pointing up into the sky), yet portable enough that I'll want to carry it with me on hikes in the country, and not costing the earth. Is there such a beast?