Can you help me find a decent monopod?

[King_Boru]

Hi everyone,...

After using my Sigma 100 - 300mm F4 yesterday to cover a rugby game my arms were a little tired and some of the shots were not as sharp as I hoped. I have come to the conclusion that for future shoots I will need a monopod. It will need to be sturdy and have the ability to hold that lens with a D50 body without breaking. Manouverbility is also key. I dont really know where to start looking. I know Manfrotto do some good stuff but you need buy the head seperately and and I wouldnt know one from the other. Can somebody point me in the right direction?

Money wise, ideally something in the £90 - £120 region.

Thanks

King.

[Hacker]

I have a Manfrotto monopod which supports a D200+grip+70-200mm AF-S lens quite easily, why do you think you need a head?

My 'pod is screwed into the lens foot and I then loosen the lens collar to be able to change quickly from lanscape to portrait format. No need for fancy schmancy heads.

[King_Boru]

Can you link to which pod you use?

[mfwild13]

Manfrotto 682B with a 234RC head here which works pretty well.
I would actually recommend buying the 681 and adding the self supporting feet separately if you interested in that option as you could then choose to carry the feet or not (and have to bottom properly sealed).

I would probably get the Neotec 685 if I was to buy again based on ease of handling.

[digitalfailure]

I use a Manfrotto monopod with a quick release plate on the top.
It was fine on our last group outing to the zoo, handling the weight of my camera with no problems.

IIRC the model numbers are 679B for the monopod and 323 for the QR head.
I keep a QR plate fitted to the bottom of the camera body and also on the tripod collar of the 70-200 f2.8 so I don't have to mess about switching them over.

I've never seen the point in having a ball head on a monopod though.

[Glen]

:agree: What he says!! :)

[milou]

Something here ages ago (I think) posted this link about using a monopod - pretty useful methinks: http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

[photostar_1]

I read in one of the photography mags some time ago, about a technique that involves a piece of string and the monopod. Loop one end around the top of the monopod (under the camera) and have it long enough to reach the ground, with a large loop at the bottom to put your foot through. Have it so there is a slight tension, and they claim its helps to stabilise the monopod.
:)

[Matt Charlton]

Sorry to hijack the thread:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-MANFROTTO-DIGI-MONOPOD-IN-BLACK-676B_W0QQitemZ110043922269QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3325Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is that any good?

I know its a few models below the one that DF has, or at least an older version.

Looking to support at most the 350D with grip, 430ex and 100-400L

Ta

Matt

[Marcel]

I'm interested in this thread too. I think a monopod is one of my next few purchases.

[WetSparks]

Sorry to hijack the thread:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-MANFROTTO-DIGI-MONOPOD-IN-BLACK-676B_W0QQitemZ110043922269QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3325Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is that any good?

I know its a few models below the one that DF has, or at least an older version.

Looking to support at most the 350D with grip, 430ex and 100-400L

Ta

Matt

Yep, I use a Manfrotto 676B monopod & 234RC head for my 350D with grip and 100 - 400L. The quick release on the head makes it dead easy to use as well :D

[Steep]

The only thing a monopod has to be is tall enough. It's only there to steady the camera not support it fully, it takes the weight as well but even the cheapest one will do that happily. My advice would be to measure the distance between the baseplate and the ground when you stand as you normally would for shooting and use that as a guide to buying a pod.

[WetSparks]

I'm 6'1" in old money (well when I pull me stomach in ;) ) and the 676b is tall enough for me :thumbs:

[pxl8]

I use a Cullmann 2741 along with the matching ball head (for macro stuff). Good solid build and uses a twist lock system for adjusting the height.

[Arkady]

I've got a Manfrotto Carbon one and very nice it is too... almost never use it though...

[dod]

I've got the chrome/aluminium version of the 679, hardly ever use it though. In fact if you're interested PM me, wouldn't be difficult to persuade me to part with it.

[busterboy]

Yep, I use a Manfrotto 676B monopod

Ditto.. Excellent tripod, Carbon fibre/Light to use/Quick release and generally the best there is IMO..:)

[King_Boru]

I bought the Manfrotto 685B. Excelent peice of kit.

King.