Monopod's - Seeking recommendations

[Jerry M]

I have been thinking about picking up a monopod. I'm thinking that I may be more inclined to use it rather than my tripod because it would be easier to tote around. The monopod's with the feet strike me as the most versitile. Would you mind sharing your experience with your monopod, likes, dislikes, etc.?

Thanks

[K1W1]

IMO monopods with feet (I assume that you mean tripod feet) are a waste of time. They offer no real stability and any sort of camera and lens with a decent weight could potentially be knocked over very easily. If you want a tripod buy a tripod.
As far as monopods are concerned there are a couple of things to consider;
Is the monopod going to double as a walking stick? Some are designed to do double duty but usually it means they are less substantial.
What is the smallest and longest lengths you need? If the monopod needs to fit into a bag or pack or box of some sort the collapsed length is important. If you are particularly tall the expanded length is important, you don't want to be stooping all the time to use the monopod. Generally three section monopods are stronger then four section ones but they collapse to a longer length.
Will you want to take portrait orientation shots from the monopod? If so you wll need a head that allows the camera body to be rotated through 90 degrees.
A good staring point for a DSLR monopod is the Manfrotto 679B (click here) (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2366?livid=107|117&idx=119).
If you want or need a head the 234RC does a good job (click here) (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2376?livid=107|117&idx=118).

[BBPhoto]

I use the 676B. If memory serves me correctly it is the little brother of the one recommended in the post above. I use my tripod very rarely so I didn't get a monopod because the tripod was a nuisance to lug around. I found the monopod to be really great for macro shooting. It is impossible to use a tripod for fast or timid subjects in the field but you can get along quite nicely with a monopod. The added stability is a real plus.

The 676B gets along fine with the 40D, 100 f/2.8 macro and the MR-14EX loaded onto it along with a ball head.

So that is my experience but to answer the title of your post, the monopod that works best is the one that works best for you. If it is at all possible, get out to a store or camera club to try a few. Otherwise, buy from a source that has a liberal exchange policy. Good luck.

[DonSchap]

I have found that putting a grip-ball on the monopod makes it most versatile.

I, personally, use a Manfrotto 682 Monopod, with the Manfrotto 3265RC2 Grip-ball.

The 682 has a hidden tripod footing, so it is there IF you need it. :p I like occasionally using the monopod as a SLAVE flash stand. I cannot express how convenient it is to have that tripod footing available.


Whether standing upright . . . . . . . . . or Right-angled

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I still have yet to see someone balance one w/o the foot. LOL :p