Monopod recommendations....

[cmason]

Looking for experience with monopods. I already have a (cheap) tripod, I would like a monopod that folds up small, so that I can carry in my backpack, something that I can use when traveling and not carrying the full load of gear.

So far, I am considering a few from Manfrotto:

Bogen / Manfrotto 680B (3249B) Compact Monopod


https://secure03.bhphotovideo.com/images/smallimages/5535.jpg

Or the
Bogen / Manfrotto 682B (3231) Professional Monopod (Detachable Legs)

https://secure03.bhphotovideo.com/images/smallimages/5495.jpg

I like the "foot" thing on the 682, but wonder if anyone has used this before? is it worth it for the extra $$ and the extra fold up length?

I plan to use this with my Rebel XT and 70-300 USM IS, or a wide angle zoom, so dont need alot of capacity. Not really looking for a ball head either, as I plan to get a RRS L-bracket that I can use for landscape/portrait changes.

Thanks

[tmlphoto]

I bought the 682B, but I wasn't impressed with the extra legs so I removed them. They add quite a bit of weight too. Works fine without them. I would save my money and get the 680B.

[Michael Allen]

I have the 680B and think it's great. Take it every where, while the tripod sits.

[cmason]

I bought the 682B, but I wasn't impressed with the extra legs so I removed them. They add quite a bit of weight too. Works fine without them. I would save my money and get the 680B.

Thomas, what didnt you like about the legs? They not too stable or effective? I haven't seen this thing "live" before, so not sure how it really works.

[Art Scott]

I really like my Giottos P-Pod.....it has the 3 legs like the Bogen 628B but I have had mine before bogen came out with theirs....OUt in the Kansas Wind those 3 littel legs come in very handy if I don't have my tripod with...also they allow for a semi- horizontal position for macro work also.

Ebay link to the one I have for a better view:

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Most-Versatile-Monopod-Made-Giottos-P-Pod-5580_W0QQitemZ7590705336QQcategoryZ30092QQssPageNa meZWD7VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Good luck.

[Bob Bell]

I use the 682B and removed the legs after the first game I shot with the pod. They are heavy, clank around, and can barely support a 70-200 and its a risk at that.

[Shay Stephens]

I tried the small legged monopod and it's one of those jack of all trades master of none and not really good at what it does do either. It is not stable and it is big and heavy.

For backpack portable stuff I finally settled on the Manfrotto 724B tripod (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=283689&is=REG&addedTroughType=search). It's small, light, and stable. And it will hold a 70-200 f/2.8 IS lens with no problem.

[David_S85]

One pod might not be enough.

1st class monopod I played around with the other day was the Manfrotto 685B. Very slick! A tad heavy, but lighter than tripods. Add a good head.

A sturdy and well built tripod is a must in my book. There are hundreds of choices with these. CF if you're hiking (for the lightness) plus cold temperatures don't affect the CF as much as it would with aluminum. Even with light gloves on, cold aluminum is very very cold. Then invest in a good head or two. QR clamps (like RRS offers) can top it off. CF goodies like these cost a lot, but a great tripod will last decades more than any other piece of equipment.

My old Pro Bogen I purchased in 1978 is still a good performer to this day. Don't ever go the cheap route with tripods or monopods.

[BigAl]

Manfrotto monopod pages (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/1799?categoryKey=BRAND:MN:MAIN:AC:SUB1:AK:SUB2:AX&livid=103|113&lsf=113&child=2)
I have the 679B and am fairly happy with it. I need a fairly long one because of my height. Its 162cm with the added height from the 234RC (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2376?livid=103|113&idx=114) monopod head and the camera gives enough height for horizontal shots, but is still too short for shots pointing up (and birds are usually up). I usually carry the bigma and the camera mounted on the monopod over my shoulder with the lens pointing down - this has caused the first joint on the monopod to become a bit wobbly when fully extended. I'm now looking to a belt-mounted "bucket" to seat the monopod, so I don't have to use the monopod fully extended - it also makes for easier panning.

[tmlphoto]

Thomas, what didnt you like about the legs? They not too stable or effective? I haven't seen this thing "live" before, so not sure how it really works.

I found that they didn't really add that much stability. I agree with Shay. If you really want a tripod get a tripod, a monopod get a monopod. I would skip the hybrid. I will say that I get alot more use out of my monopod than my tripod, but I shoot alot of sports & birds rather than landscapes.

[ian408]

I'd get the monopod w/o the legs. Think of a tripod with the column fully
extended. Not very stable, right? That instability is exacerbated with the
tall 'column' and short legs. Save the extra cost and get a monopod with
out that feature.

ian

[cmason]

Good advice all, thanks very much!

While I have you here.... tell me about ball heads on monopods. Do you use yours? It just seems a bit sloppy to hang your camera off of the monopod when you want a portrait shot...I was thinking of saving money on the monopod w/o the head, and instead get an L-bracket from ReallyRightStuff. At $125, they sure to think alot of them, but it looks like a good solution. Thoughts?

[NHBubba]

Any thoughs on those Feisol CF mono-pods you see on ebay? Seems like a helluva deal for a chunk of CF. Is there a catch?

[chuckice]

I have the 680B and I love the legs. If I'm on the road it's nice to have the option for some/any stability when there's none. I also have a tripod but I love the feature of the legs and use it all the time. I wouldn't use the 200-400 on them at all but I'll comfortably use a 50/85/17-55 on them. The 70-200 is fine in a controled environment as well. For example, I loaned out my tripod last week and wanted to shoot some birds at the feeder. I pulled out the 680B, popped on the 70-200 and used the remote to fire away. Worked great...