Monopods!

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J4MIE_P

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Jamie Palmer
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So then guys,

I have a question for all you experienced people :)
I have £20 worth of Jessops vouchers, and I want a monopod, as my 70-200mm is a little heavy after a while.

I want the monopod to be able to take level shots, and also like aircraft shots (if possible)

I have two options, but unsure about which to pick.

Bring out exhibit #1
http://www.jessops.com/online.store.../products/Jessops/Monopod 330-10542/Show.html
A Jessops home brand monopod, it has a 3-way quick release option which could be benefitical. But can it hold the weight well?

Exhibit #2
http://www.jessops.com/online.store...products/Velbon/UP-4000 Unipod-5108/Show.html
A Velbon monopod, doesn't have any quick release, or any panning head. But I think it would be more stronger and last longer than the Jessops brand.

What are people's thoughts about which to get, and why?

Many Thanks
Jamie
 
The Manfrotto does seem like a contendor, but it's sooo small I have to crouch soo much just to use it :lol:
 
Manfrotto M680B, £35.99 from Warehouse Express. It makes the Jessops own brand one look and feel like a toy (I've used both).
 
hi mate, ive bought a camlink monopd from argos for £16.
i'm nearly 6ft4" and i don't extend it to the full to use it.

Sorry if its no help because you have jessops vouchers, but you could spend them on other things i guess!

Thanks

Dion!
 
Ye, The only reason I want to buy it from Jessops is because of the vouchers, otherwise I will never use them.
Unless I just buy a Sandisk 4gb Ultra II CF Card
 
I have the jessops 223 monopod, it is ok (and only ok) if it isn't fully extended, but it struggled with my 40D and lightweight 75-300mm lens when fully extended. Though feels very cheap and flimsy when handled compared to my manfrotto tripod.

I am planning on upgrading it now I have a heavier lens and body.
 
Definately going to ask them to price match :)
Otherwise I'll tell them I'll buy elsewhere yet again :lol:

They know me very well in my local store, and last time they lost themselves £800 cos I went elsewhere :lol:
 
As with most things but particularly monopods and tripods it will be a case of buy cheap buy twice. I went all out and bought a gitzo monopod (I already had a gitzo tripod) and it's a beauty, you don't need to spend that much but if you spend a decent amount then there's no reason a monopod shouldn't last 5/10/more years :)
 
J4MIE_P said:
or any panning head.
Click to expand...

I bought a second hand manfrotto which is very sturdy. I've yet to buy a head, but I won't be buying it for panning, surely the point of a monopod is that you pan by simply turning the monopod, it only has a point contact with the ground?

Manfrotto do a tilt head that enables you to switch from landscape to portrait very quickly. Surely everything else can be done with the camera fixed straight to the monopod?

Not had a chance to use the monopod yet, and still not sure about which head to get, I see the biggest advantage of a head on the monopod as being the quick release attachment but I'm interested in the views of those with experience using them.
 
trapper501 said:
Manfrotto do a tilt head that enables you to switch from landscape to portrait very quickly.
Click to expand...

Got one on mine, never actually utilise it because I use the 'pod with a big lens which has its own collar. I mount the lens to the 'pod and get my rotation there.


I see the biggest advantage of a head on the monopod as being the quick release attachment but I'm interested in the views of those with experience using them.
Click to expand...

Yes, and for peace of mind I'm glad that the manfrotto mount I use has a dual locking arrangement. And I still wind the camera strap around the 'pod: when it's over my shoulder nothing is going to fall off!
 
tikkathreebarrel said:
Got one on mine, never actually utilise it because I use the 'pod with a big lens which has its own collar. I mount the lens to the 'pod and get my rotation there.
Click to expand...

Shows how thick I am then. I didn't realise you could rotate the lens on the tripod collar! I'll have a look at that. We have a canon 100-400

tikkathreebarrel said:
Yes, and for peace of mind I'm glad that the manfrotto mount I use has a dual locking arrangement. And I still wind the camera strap around the 'pod: when it's over my shoulder nothing is going to fall off!
Click to expand...

Oh, now you have me worried. The tilt head has the P200 plate doesn't it? Is that the one with a double lock?

I hadn't thought about them not being secure.
 
I've got a Jessops 330 & it holds my 50D + 70-200 f2.8 fine. It's not as if your going to leave the camera standing there while you wander off :)
 
I've just bought a Manfrotto 790B
Cost me £27

And I also got a Ball Head for it for £10

So not too bad really :)
 
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