Monopod recommendations please

**Sonsey** · 01-05-2008, 19:03

I'm looking at possibly adding a monopod to the gear collection, I don't want to spend a fortune on a full bells & whistles model but I would like something that's half decent and able to hold my 40D + grip with the EF100-400L IS attached... any recommendations?

silkstone · 01-05-2008, 19:12

I can tell you what NOT to get - a Hama one. It gradually telescopes back in with anything that weighs more than a bag of crisps.

Have you thought about a combined hiking stick and monopod? If it'll take your weight, it should support your camera. (No offence intended.

)

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**Sonsey** · 01-05-2008, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkstone

If it'll take your weight, it should support your camera. (No offence intended.

)

If they could take my weight they'd build bridges with them!

....more than what I wanted to pay though.

P-E · 01-05-2008, 19:16

I can only recommend the two I have really.

Manfrotto 684B which has the trigger on the handle to move the leg up and down. The other one is a Gitzo 2941 which is nice and compact.

**Markulous** · 01-05-2008, 20:18

I use a {sharp intake of breath} Jessops monopod!

Bit shaky at the full extension but absolutely perfect for me - I only need to rest camera/lens not lean on it and the all-critical part was that it had the same Quick Release Plate as my tripod (Cullmann head on a Benbo)

**Sonsey** · 02-05-2008, 15:17

Thanks for the replies folks,

P-E I'll take a look at those, cheers mate.

Mark how can you recommend a Jessops monopod that is admittedly a "bit shaky"

**Sonsey** · 02-05-2008, 16:07

Call of the search!

Just stumbled on a very lightly used Manfrotto 676B a friend was selling, nice and cheap and should do the job nicely for the few times I'll need it... thanks for the help everyone!

Charlotte · 08-05-2008, 03:12

Was going to start a new thread, but may as well add to this one, if that's ok with you Sonsey.

I wanted to ask ... What use is a monopod? I mean when do you choose to use it, over your tripod?

Also, what features do they have? Sonsey said he doesn't need all the bells + whistles, but what "bells + whistles" can a monopod have

And do they come with heads, or do you have to buy one separately?

If separately, will any head fit on any monopod?

Enlighten me please

j sotelo · 08-05-2008, 06:24

Heres a Monopod with all Bells and Whistles

Heres a plain Monopod

I bought the first one due to the fact I also use it for my Video camera, but for photography, It's just lighter and easier to carry for night shots landscapes, etc.
you get the same advantages of a tripod but the monopod is easier to carry.
at least thats the use I give it..
it doesn't come with a head just the screw, you don't use a head on Monopods, like I said their just lighter and easier to carry versions of tripods.

**Sonsey** · 08-05-2008, 06:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlotte

Was going to start a new thread, but may as well add to this one, if that's ok with you Sonsey.

Absolutely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlotte

I wanted to ask ... What use is a monopod? I mean when do you choose to use it, over your tripod?

The Monopod is normally used as the option to take when you need some stability for the camera and lens but also need to stay mobile, does it provide the amount of stability as a tripod, no, does it allow you to move around easier, definitely... it's the middle ground option.

My personal reason for getting one was due to me purchasing a small chair hide for shooting wildlife. Despite the fact that I much prefer to shoot handheld, having a 40D + grip with a 100-400 lens attached constantly up and ready to shoot would get very fatiguing after a while due to the weight. The monopod will take the weight of the camera and lens thus saving my arms while still allowing me to quickly react to anything that may come along from any direction... A tripod would be far too cumbersome in this instance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlotte

Also, what features do they have? Sonsey said he doesn't need all the bells + whistles, but what "bells + whistles" can a monopod have

And do they come with heads, or do you have to buy one separately?

If separately, will any head fit on any monopod?

There are many options available for monopods, many that echo the options available for tripods. Carbon fibre or regular, twist or clip locks for the legs, padded/foam grips, 3 or 4 section legs, adjustable feet. The Manfrotto model P-E mentioned above comes with a grip lock at the top that when squeezed releases the locks on the leg sections for quick extension or collapse, very handy!

Both tilt and ball heads are also available to buy for monopod use (some models come with one included), they're normally a good bit smaller than a tripod head for obvious reasons, but in saying that I believe the attachment screw is a universal size so conceivably you could attach any head you wished to it.

**Markulous** · 08-05-2008, 08:36

Reasons I got my monopod are that it takes the same Quick Release Plate as my tripod and that it's not too heavy. Being lightweight it's not one to lean on (which some do to achieve better stability) but is more of a rest for the camera (swaying to and fro and weight for macro, just weight for wildlife)

I use it over my tripod for wildlife and macros as it's easier to move around (how often have I flicked grass, dragging my tripod, neatly removing the bug I was 'stalking!).