Monopod? Anyone have a suggestion?

[skate]

I love to photograph lacrosse and will be upgrading to a heavier camera. Does anyone have a suggestion on a light and convenient monopod?

[rpcrowe]

Lower price but very solid:
Either the

Manfrotto 680B - B&H price $58.50
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...pod_Black.html

or the

Manfrotto 981B - B&H price $68.25
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...n_Monopod.html

I used the 681B for a long while and it is a nice pod. My only problem is that this pod only collapses down to 26.4" and I couldn't fit it in my check-on suitcase. Carrying a monopod aboard a plane is problematic because it can be considered a "weapon-like instrument".

I sold this pod and purchased a Calumet Camera 8103 4-section carbon fiber monopod
http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/prod...monopod/ck8103

This pod collapses shorter (20.25") and is lighter in weight than the Manfrotto (less than one pound). It has twist release rather than clamp releases which may or may not be what you like. It now costs $140 but, I got mine on sale for just above $100 several years ago. I carried mine throught China and I love it. It comes with a case which is handy.

The twist vs. clamp releases is strictly a matter of preferences. I like twist releases because they allow a smaller profile. However, if I were shooting sports with a large lens, I would opt for a clamp release. See this youtube video how Scott Sewell uses his Manfrotto monopod while shooting football;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMgZ13X_pr4

BTW: the question of whether to use a tilting head on a monopod is like whether to choose Nikon or Canon. Everyone has his or her opinion. I personally like to keep the monopod perpendicular under the camera and thus want a tilting clamp for when I am shooting at an angle down or up. I use a Kirk Monopod which is a Manfrotto 234 Swivel Kead with a Kirk Arca Compatible Quick Release: http://www.kirkphoto.com/Monopod-Heads.html

My maximum load is a 7D with 400mm f/5.6L lens. For a heavier load, I might opt for a Really Right Stuff High Capacity Monopod Head which is considerably more expensive than the Kirk Swivel
http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.as...e=MH01&key=cat

[rayallen]

+1 to both of those Manfrotto monopods. I have a 680B and my wife has a 681B. They are essentially the same monopod, just different height.

[Bobobird]

If your are good at DIY, consider converting a collapsible walking stick into a very useable monopod - very light weight + rock steady.

I have use a Sirui P326 carbon-fibre paired with a Sirui 10x ball-head.
http://www.zssirui.com/EN/frm_Produc...px?SeriesID=17

Monopod specs
6 section
~0.4 kg
widest - 32mm
narrowest - 16mm, end-segment can be extended to reveal a spike or retracted to use just the rubber ending.
height - 60.6"
lowest - 15"
max load - 10kg
Handstrap includes a compass. Padded top section ideal for use in cold weather.

Have just bought a Manfrotto monopod shoulder brace and now have 2 anchor points.

[skate]

My maximum will be 7D with 70-300 f4-5.6. It would not exceed your heaviest load. I am upgrading from a rebel xti to the 7D. Adding a 17-55 f2.8. Thank you. I appreciate your quick response and your expertise.

[beechdale basher]

Hi Skate

I am also a complete newby and whilst I have a good camera and lenses to cover the type of photography I want to carry out I too am looking at monopods/tripods/ball heads/gimbals etc.

So having not tried any of these they are 3 that I have looked at.

Manfrotto 682B Self Standing Monopod
Velbon Ultra Stick L50 Aluminium Monopod
Manfrotto Neotec Monopod W/Safety Lock

I hope that this does not ad to the confusion

[rpcrowe]

I neglected to mention that I like a quick release on my monopod because I most often shoot with a pair of cameras and like to switch from one camera to another with ease.

One thing that is also seldom mentioned is that if you add a remote release to your camera, you can often shoot from an elevated position by raising the camera/lens up over a crowd using the monopod.

And... with a couple of lengths of double sided velcro, each about 2 feet (.6 meters more or less) long, you can often secure your monopod to a stationary object like a fence post to provide an absolutely stable hold...

[mikey98e]

I've been using the Manfrotto 681 Monopod with a Manfrotto 3229 Ballhead. It is strong enough to hold my D2x steady when taking long exposure waterfall pictures. Just make sure that the monopod you get can support your camera and lens.
-mike

[BlueGirl]

I recently bought the Manfrotto Neotec Monopod and this ball head Manfrotto 494RC2 Ball Head with Friction Control and Quick Release.

The monopod is very good especially the trigger action release to raise and lower it, which is the main reason I chose it, no faffing around with 3 separate joints making it a lot quicker to adjust height wise. The ball head copes with my D7000 and lenses, and the quick release is a must if you're constantly changing between monopod and handheld.