Help - Monopod info needed

TinaC

TinaC

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Tina
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I have a new toy, a 70-200 f2.8L; I'm also a weakling so have decided that a monopod will be an essential accessory for all those times when I want to be mobile.

So bearing in mind the lens weight and my innate feebleness, what monopod would you recommend? Of course due to the new toy I'm also a little brokeish :$

My tripod is a Giottos and it has a simple ballhead, I'm barely able to tighten that to hold the lens :$
 
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There's not a lot to decide on where monopods are concerned. Price, obviously. Then locking method - twist or lever. Weight and height. I'd suggest going to the Warehouse Express site.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/monopods/b3036?SortBy=BestSellerOrder&ShowAll=1

Sort by lowest price first then work your way down the prices until you reach your limit. Once you have a shortlist, look on ebay and see if you can get any cheaper, either new or used.

Don't forget to think about a head. Some of those on the site come with a head of some sort.
 
Giottos have a very light 4 section lever-locking monopod that weighs only 0.5kg called the MML3260B. It has a weight capacity of 12kg but more importantly, the lightweight aspect of it should meet your needs. It has a min height of 20.08 inches. Morris Photo have it on at £27.95 plus shipping.

I use it as my backup stick and for outdoor use with a MH1302-652 mounted on it. It is very light and steady. I doubt it you could buy better for the money.


Hope this helps


Enjoy your new toy

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Have a look at the Redsnapper MPs advertised on here. They get good reviews and also TPers get discount.
 
Since the OP already has a tripod, it would make sense for them to make sure that any QR system matched both tripod and monopod if possible. I'm still considering changing the head on my Giottos Vitruvian to a Manfrotto head so all my supports share a QR system. The only thing stopping me is that a Manfrotto head stops the tripod from folding up as neatly.
 
Nod said:
Since the OP already has a tripod, it would make sense for them to make sure that any QR system matched both tripod and monopod if possible. I'm still considering changing the head on my Giottos Vitruvian to a Manfrotto head so all my supports share a QR system. The only thing stopping me is that a Manfrotto head stops the tripod from folding up as neatly.
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I thought it might be relevant...I like the tripod and the head is nice and smooth in use.

RJL2005 said:
You might find this useful:

http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3
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VERY, thank you :cool:
 
I got a Manfrotto last year, a little under rated for my DSLR and 100-400 or 70-200 2.8 but does well and has a fluid head and short legs at the base.. Ace!
 
I use the Slik Pro Pod 381 CF - excellent, very light, bit expensive though

I also have a Redsnapper monopod (don't use it anymore) which is also very good, a little bit on the weighty side though - hence the 381CF

Simon
 
DucDuc said:
I got a Manfrotto last year, a little under rated for my DSLR and 100-400 or 70-200 2.8 but does well and has a fluid head and short legs at the base.. Ace!
Click to expand...

simonkit said:
I use the Slik Pro Pod 381 CF - excellent, very light, bit expensive though

I also have a Redsnapper monopod (don't use it anymore) which is also very good, a little bit on the weighty side though - hence the 381CF

Simon
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Thanks for this guys
 
Tina, like Houston says, Giottos MML3260B is very good, not too heavy and the first 3 letters actually stand for, "Made for My Lady", and the last two, "Oh Boy!"

Would I lie to you? :suspect:
 
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Tina Darling,

Have a look at the Velbon UP-400.

Is very light, good height, rubber foot can be screwed up to reveal the spike.
It's £19.99 at Jessops, also I have seen one with ball head though sometimes think they can be a bit awkward on a Monopod.

Have just bought The 400 so thought I would pass on the Info.

Regards.
 
canonbabie said:
Tina Darling,

Have a look at the Velbon UP-400.

Is very light, good height, rubber foot can be screwed up to reveal the spike.
It's £19.99 at Jessops, also I have seen one with ball head though sometimes think they can be a bit awkward on a Monopod.

Have just bought The 400 so thought I would pass on the Info.

Regards.
Click to expand...

Having wandered off to start the dinner whilst Flikr struggled with my upload I missed this and have ordered the Giotto; thanks for help ;)
 
Hi Tina,

I am interested in the MML3260B as well; would you please post an update advising how you have got on with it? I saw the MML3290B at Warehouse Express and it seemed very sturdy but as i am only 5ft 2ins it was the right height for me with only about 3 sections extended!

Have you added a head to it?

Many thanks,

Tracey
 
canonbabie said:
Tina Darling,

Have a look at the Velbon UP-400.

Is very light, good height, rubber foot can be screwed up to reveal the spike.
It's £19.99 at Jessops, also I have seen one with ball head though sometimes think they can be a bit awkward on a Monopod.

Have just bought The 400 so thought I would pass on the Info.

Regards.
Click to expand...


I've just ordered this for £13 delivered from Amazon marketplace (selle - CameraKing UK):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velbon-UP-4...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1298748756&sr=1-44
 
Tinkie said:
Hi Tina,

I am interested in the MML3260B as well; would you please post an update advising how you have got on with it? I saw the MML3290B at Warehouse Express and it seemed very sturdy but as i am only 5ft 2ins it was the right height for me with only about 3 sections extended!

Have you added a head to it?

Many thanks,

Tracey
Click to expand...

This monopod is great! Sturdy feeling but not too heavy. Flick lock adjustments are easy and secure. The wrist loop can be swivelled around on the post to suit yourself, it is also easily adjusted for length, good for me as skinny wristed ;)

I stand 5'6" most of the time and fully extended this is too tall for me on the level so enables easy use on hillsides etc.

Well pleased with this :thumbs:

PS As my tripod is a Giottos I already had a head and use that
 
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Finally, some other Giottos users :D :clap:

I have the MML3290, tried a ballhead on which I didn't get on with at all, then eventually plumped for a Manfrotto 234RC monopod head as Giottos didn't seem to make a tilt-only head. This works just fine and was cheap (£15) when I got it, but I'd like to have a tilt head with plates compatible with my Gio ballhead.
 
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TinaC said:
This monopod is great! Sturdy feeling but not too heavy. Flick lock adjustments are easy and secure. The wrist loop can be swivelled around on the post to suit yourself, it is also easily adjusted for length, good for me as skinny wristed ;)

I stand 5'6" most of the time and fully extended this is too tall for me on the level so enables easy use on hillsides etc.

Well pleased with this :thumbs:

PS As my tripod is a Giottos I already had a head and use that
Click to expand...

Thanks very much Tina.

Very helpful feedback; i'll be getting this one now.:thumbs:

Cheers,

Tracey
 
ronnus said:
Finally, some other Giottos users :D :clap:

I have the MML3290, tried a ballhead on which I didn't get on with at all, then eventually plumped for a Manfrotto 234RC monopod head as Giottos didn't seem to make a tilt-only head. This works just fine and was cheap (£15) when I got it, but I'd like to have a tilt head with plates compatible with my Gio ballhead.
Click to expand...

I am surprised there aren't more users Ron. Really preferred the Giottos versions when i compared them to the Manfrotto's.

Thanks for the info regarding the head; much appreciated.
 
One you may not have considered, but very different in that it has quick release trigger for instant height adjustment, no messing with clips or twist grips. Ideal in studio work. Costs a bit though .... lowest £98, but up to £150 elsewhere. It's the Manfrotto 685B. I am aout to get one and when I do, my present monopod will be advertised .................. that was £40 a few months ago.
 
Hi Malcolm,

I will have a look at that one, thanks for the details about it.

The Manfrotto ones i saw were prone to movement (shortening seems the word to use as collapsing seems a bit sensationalist) without a camera mounted on them.

Seems odd to me, as a beginner, that monopods seem capable of holding many kgs yet the heads hold considerably less. Perhaps cameras with large lenses are better not mounted on a head?

Best wishes,

Tracey
 
Tinkie said:
Hi Malcolm,

I will have a look at that one, thanks for the details about it.

The Manfrotto ones i saw were prone to movement (shortening seems the word to use as collapsing seems a bit sensationalist) without a camera mounted on them.

Seems odd to me, as a beginner, that monopods seem capable of holding many kgs yet the heads hold considerably less. Perhaps cameras with large lenses are better not mounted on a head?

Best wishes,

Tracey
Click to expand...

I've found the Giottos monopod great and as you suggested with my big lens I attach direct to the post - no head required. Seems very successful.
 
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