Monopod recommendations? - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

02/05/2008 11:44:41 AM · #1

As I get more like a fine wine (aged), I find it harder to hold a camera dead steady. I have a tripod - a very good one that Bear made me buy to replace my POS from K-Mart - but I like to do a lot of wandering about and really don't want to carry it everywhere. So I'm thinking maybe a monopod - could also serve as a nice walking stick of sorts, too. Any recommendations? It doesn't need to go very high. :-)
(Edited because in addition to having difficulty holding a camera still, I seem to have problems with words, too.)

Message edited by author 2008-02-05 12:14:34.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

02/05/2008 11:54:20 AM · #2

I have the Giottos MM5580 and love it.

inshaala

Canon EOS-7D

02/05/2008 12:02:49 PM · #3

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

I have the Giottos MM5580 and love it.

ditto :)

wheeledd

Panasonic LUMIX-DMC ZS100

Sigma 70-200 /2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II

02/05/2008 12:06:38 PM · #4

I'm facing the same situation; I'm not nearly as steady as I used to be. I got a walking staff from an outdoor supplier:

//www.rei.com/product/745686

The cork top of this staff comes off to reveal a tripod screw. I got a swivel head for it so I can angle the camera in any direction. To use it, I spread my feet apart and lean on the staff in front of me. That makes a stable tripod: my two legs and the staff.

I also find that I don't need to attach the camera to the staff. If I just get into the tripod position and rest the camera on the cork ball, it is reasonably stable.

The one problem I have with this particular model is that even when it as short as possible, it is to large to fit into the suitcase I use for air travel.

--DanW

sulamk

Canon EOS-60D

02/05/2008 12:13:49 PM · #5

I use a Manfrotto monopod which I find very good it is sturdy easy to adjust the height and a great help when walking over rough ground.

inshaala

Canon EOS-7D

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

02/05/2008 12:18:01 PM · #6

The Giottos monopod is fairly heavy btw, although i have used it as a walking stick in extremely rugged terrain (i was climbing up a mountain river in peru over boulders etc using it to steady myself) without much worry but then i was very fit at the time and having used a machete for about 2 months up till then my wrist muscles were coping - but then if you are like a fine wine, then something lighter might be a better option. As with camera's and things - best thing is to pick one up in a shop and have a go...

02/05/2008 12:21:59 PM · #7

Yeah, it's probably one of those things I need to go pick up and play with a bit. Given the conversion rates at the moment, though, it'll be a lot more expensive to buy one locally, but I may prefer that just the same.

And I am kind of on the small side - I'd rather not have one that weighs a third of my body weight. :-) Thanks for the input, folks!

jemison

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/05/2008 01:44:50 PM · #8

I checked out several monopods, and finally decided that the best one for me was actually the least expensive. Velbon RUP43. It is quite lightweight, VERY sturdy, and collapses to a nice short package. It even comes with a ballhead. All for under $40.

IMO it is every bit as good as several costing many times more that I checked out. I use it mostly for sports shooting with a 120-300mmf/2.8.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

02/05/2008 02:49:12 PM · #9

I use a Manfrotto (forget the model #) with a swivel/tilt head with a quick release. I don't use the tilt part too much because I mostly only use it with the 70-200 with the rotating collar, but the quick release is nice to have and is the same one my Manfrotto tripod uses.

ryand

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

02/05/2008 03:02:12 PM · #10

I have the Manfrotto 676B with no head which has worked great since I have the 70-200 that has a tripod collar, you could probably get a ball head for not too bad if you neat one. It is only like $30.00 and very sturdy.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/05/2008 03:46:41 PM · #11

I've been checking out monopods online - you guys have made some very good recommendations. For those of you who use them with the camera mounted vice a lens collar, how often do you use the tilt/swivel head if you have one? I'm wondering if I need a head at all or just attach the camera flat to the monopod?

faidoi

Pentax K10D

02/05/2008 04:00:27 PM · #12

Bogen /Manfrotto 681B with Bogen / Manfrotto 488RC2 MIDI HEAD BALL w/RC2 CONNECT . If you have a lens collar then you don't need a head, but it really depends on what you shoot. If you shoot objects close and from above you would need one.

I mainly used it with the Bigma to shoot animals and didn't buy a ball head until I started to use my other lenses with the monopod.I also bought the legs that hidden inside the monopod in case I need a stand for my extra flash.

Also bought a Radio Shack branded monopod. Not as nice as the Manfrotto but it's small enough to bring with you always because of the size. Also could work as a nice club just in case you get accosted.

Message edited by author 2008-02-05 17:20:43.

electrolost

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5

02/05/2008 04:06:21 PM · #13

look at this forum
..really cheap and worth a try
check out this forum

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

02/05/2008 04:06:39 PM · #14

Ever the tightass, I bought a monopod from 7dayshop.com. It cost about Â£15 and I bought a ball head from eBay for another Â£6...now I have a walking stick, a monopod and a child prodder, for slow moving grandchildren:)) Did I tell you all, we are going to be Grandparents again in the late Summer, this will be number 11, a football team!! :)

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

02/05/2008 04:18:13 PM · #15

Originally posted by Melethia:

... I'm wondering if I need a head at all or just attach the camera flat to the monopod?

That sounds a little awkward and limiting IMO. A ballhead allows you to change the camera angle quickly. I can imagine some scenarios where you're going to be either trying to wrestle with the monopod/camera combo, or taking the camera off, to get the shot you want.

Also, it's rare to use the monopod strictly up and down for best support. Check out this article ==> How To Use A Monopod. I found it a while back (last summer) when I picked up a monopod myself.