Which monopod?

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Darran, Daz or ****
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Yay, time for me to be a n00b and ask a n00b question :D
I could look at the specs of monopods but a) I am too lazy and b) my question is more do with the weight of the kit..
Ok, one important factor is that it will have to support a gripped 50D with a 100-400L attached.
I don't want to spend a bucket load of cash on what is basically an extending pole but I don't want some hefty beast.
If any of you lovely chaps and chapesess use a monopod with a similar set up, I would appreciate your points of view :thumbs:

Too be honest I'm still not sure I need one.
Yesterday at the BWC meet our lovely Gremlin kindly lent me her Giottos monopod but I can't remember the model number of it or the head.
However, I found it rather cumbersome and although easy to use, too much faffing around adjusting the length and with just a wrist strap, a pain to carry and also heavy for what it is.
The first person to tell me to blow £100+ on a carbon fibre adjustable pole is probably correct but I just can't justify it.
 
I've got the same Giotto monopod, it's just their basic one but I like it more than the Manfrotto ones. Very secure and sturdy.
I've replaced the silly hand strap one mine with an old camera strap so I can sling it over my shoulder.

The bigger question is the head - don't skimp here as it's the place you'll notice it. A lightweight head will just slip with a heavy lens/body.
I've got a fairly decent Giotto ballhead which I also swap onto my tripod. The important bit is how hard it grips the ball.

Ingrid's ball-head is pretty cool, very firm but can be easily adjusted with one hand- I think it was a Manfrotto grip head (can't remember model numbers). I can adjust mine with one hand too so it's personal preference.
 
TinaC said:
I have a Giotto's. No separate head, just lens straight onto the pod. I like the flick lock adjustment and carry the thing over my shoulder a la builders hod!
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How do you shoot up/down without a head on the monopod?
 
I have a basic Manfrotto one, well upto the job of a gripped 40D, 70-200 and x2. They are a pain to carry around.
 
incapete said:
I've got the same Giotto monopod, it's just their basic one but I like it more than the Manfrotto ones. Very secure and sturdy.
I've replaced the silly hand strap one mine with an old camera strap so I can sling it over my shoulder.

The bigger question is the head - don't skimp here as it's the place you'll notice it. A lightweight head will just slip with a heavy lens/body.
I've got a fairly decent Giotto ballhead which I also swap onto my tripod. The important bit is how hard it grips the ball.

Ingrid's ball-head is pretty cool, very firm but can be easily adjusted with one hand- I think it was a Manfrotto grip head (can't remember model numbers). I can adjust mine with one hand too so it's personal preference.
Click to expand...

Pete so I am guessing it was the ballhead that was making a difference to the weight?
I didn't think about that.
 
redddraggon said:
I'd get something like a Manfrotto 234RC head rather than a ballhead for a monopod.
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Spot on. Couple that with a Giottos 3290B, which has one of the longest extensions for sub £50 and you've got a decent set up which will take 4kg or so; ie a 1D and 300mm.

Having said that Darran, I'd question the need for one with your set up, unless you're going to be shooting in very low light.
 
DemiLion said:
Having said that Darran, I'd question the need for one with your set up, unless you're going to be shooting in very low light.
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That's the thing Mark, I doub't I'd be using one for low light, I would use the tripod if that was the case.
Too be honest I think it's more of a case getting used to the 100-400L hand held and making sure I can keep the shutter speed up.
 
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