Monopod recomendations please...

[HankScorpio]

Looking for a new monopod and head, any recommendations based on these criteria..?

Sturdiness - Very important
Low Cost - quite important
Ease of adjustment (head) - quite important
Ease of adjustment (leg) - vaguely important
Range of adjustment (leg) - important
quick release - not sure
weight - not important
material of manufacture - not important

TIA

[simpo two]

How about killing two birds with one stone and getting a tripod with a removeable centre section?

Anyway, you'll need more than a monopod to hold that 400mm b*stard steady

[HankScorpio]

That sounds interesting, tell me more....

You're spot on though! The lens works great but the alu jesspos job with the bouncy top just isn't up to the job...

[Scooby_snax]

Not usually a patron of the Jessops emporiums but I bought a Jessops 330 Monopod last week for less than £20. Seems to be sturdy enough, has a quick release head and is about 500gms....think it will suit my purposes

[rico]

If you want a VERY cheap monopod go into a fishing tackle shop and buy a bank stick. These are what fishermen use to rest their rods on. Nice and cheap and available in all different lengths.

The bank stick has a screw thread into which you can screw an adapter that is a camera mount.

Total cost - less than a tenner easily.

[simpo two]

HankScorpio said:

That sounds interesting, tell me more....

Heres'one:
www.cullmann-foto.de/en/products/tripods/advanced/3430.htm

More at www.cullmann-foto.de/en/products/tripods/advanced/index.htm

[gravymaster]

It begins with M and ends with anfrotto...

Matt & Martin.

[HankScorpio]

Thanks for the tips guys, keep them coming.

Mr Gravy (confused by the M&M bit ),
You got any models from them you'd recommend?
I've had a look before and the range is bewildering to someone of my mental capacity. (and that's without looking at heads!!)

I really like the idea of a tripod with removable centre column (thanks John!), any other suggestions there?
At 64 quid, that one might do the trick but I wouldn't want to spend that cahs on that and then be looking for something "better" soon after.

What are people here actually using?

[beano500]

Can you still get the "Camcane"?

[philblade]

Try the manfrotto 679 £33 at www.warehouseexpress.com/

[fatsteve]

philblade said:

Try the manfrotto 679 £33 at www.warehouseexpress.com/

I've got one of these and they're excellent. I don't use it with a ball head though, just mount the lens straight onto it (my old 170-500 and now 100-400).

It's built exceedingly well but nice and light.

Steve

[beano500]

This is the thing I was thinking of.


http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3325&item=7500432474&rd=1

Light, clever - little (suction) cup screws onto your bush and then you just stick it onto the ball. Cane extends with one press. It is designed to flex and at the same time gives excellent support. I have one (although I've not used it for a while).

[tvrforever]

Have a look at www.7dayshop.com got some good deals on tripods & monopods right now!

I've got this monopod from Jessops :-

www.jessops.com/search/viewproduct.cfm?PRODUCT=JESMP223&BRAND=&CONTINUE=false&FEATS=&FIRSTPRICE=&KEYWORD=&LEVEL=&MODELNUMBER=&NEWQUERY=True&NODE=339&ORD=ASC&ORDERBY=&QUANTITY=10&RECENT=0&REFINE=&SEARCH_FOR=&SEARCHNODE=0&SEARCHURL=dointellisearch.cfm&SECONDPRICE=&SHOWCASEID=&STARTROW=1&SUBS=&WORD_SEARCH=N&

And this tripod from 7dayshop (£13!!!!) :-

www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=99654

Neither are flash but both get the job done at lightweight and functional...

[HankScorpio]

I've got that 223 Jessops monopod but the top mount bit just isn't secure enough, there's a degree of flex in it I don't like.

Mafrotto 681 or 682 is looking good at the mo...
Won't be ordering (this or anything else, ever) from Warehouse Express. (Long story, very bitter ).

College cameras have 682b for 62 quid free postage, W-E looking to rip you off for £74.99 + (alledged) next day postage on top.

Quick question - since buying a decent camera, has anyone actually STOPPED buying accessories for it...?

Is there ever a stage where you sit back and say "this is my gear, I'm very happy with it and don't want anything else?" or is that just a stupid question...?

[-DeaDLocK-]

HankScorpio said:

The lens works great but the alu jesspos job with the bouncy top just isn't up to the job...

I used a Jessops pan-but-no-tilt alu tripod jobby for a while thinking it was ok. You just had to be careful with it and give it a second or two after setting up to make sure it was steady.

It was light, cheap and did the job. Right? WRONG.

When I got round to getting a Manfrotto tripod and head on the strong behest of one of my friends, I was astounded by the difference it made. There is just a whole different world of rigidity, and the price difference believe me is worth EVERY penny. I can now set up minute long exposures outdoors in the wind with my big bertha lens on without any fear of shake. With the Jessops one I'd be better off using it hand-held.

And you don't have to go with one of those fancy carbon ones that cost a bomb - for under a hundred quid you can get a sturdy Manfrotto tripod/head combo with a quick release plate that will make you wonder how you ever survived without it.

Sorry I don't know anything about monopods and I know this isn't helping much, but just a friendly neighbourhood reminder not to scrimp on camera support!! Though it's probably less critical with a monopod.

[HankScorpio]

Manfrotto 682B - brilliant!
Worth the little extra for the tripod base, not full blown thing but will do for the mo...

Anybody want a cheapy Jessops monopod? It can be found in my bin!