Monopods

[ReF]

been trying to choose a monopod/head setup and man are there a lot of choices! i've been flipping through a large catalogue and a few stood out:

monopods:

manfrotto 680, 1.8lbs, supports 22lbs, for $46.95
http://www.adorama.com/BG680.html

slik "mono pod" 350, 13oz, supports 8lbs, for $29.95

manfrotto 484RC2 mini ball head, supports 8.8lbs with quick release plate, it has an aluminum housing and an "extremely hard" phenolic resin ball, for $51.95
http://www.adorama.com/BG484RC2.html

cullman CU-1747 delux monopod, with 2 way head, quick release mount and plate, retractable 3 prong foot for only $64.95
http://www.adorama.com/CU1747.html


lots of monopod newbie questions:

i've never used a monopod before. if i'm pushing down on it a bit to steady the camera, will the monopods' max lbs. load rating come into play? i mean, in real use does even a cheap monopod ever buckle or retract under moderate downward pressure?

would getting a monopod that supports 22lbs (the manfrotto) be useless/overkill if my ball head only supports 8.8 lbs?

is a phenolic resin ball considered good or crappy? i thought they were all metal but it's made by manfrotto so i'm not sure what to think of it.

has anyone heard of the Cullman brand before? that delux monopod has a lot included for a low price, but does anyone know if it's any good? would the 2 way head be difficult to use?

are those three prong retractable feet useful? flimsy? there is also an add on version by manfrotto for $40.

sorry for so many questions. i'll be going to a local store when i have time to answer some of my own question, but i doubt they'll have all the models i listed to compare and try out.

are the prices listed decent, as in what one expects to pay for a monopod setup, or is it too much?

would like to hear comments on the items listed above, as well as what you guys/gals personally use and or anything else that can be recommended.

thanks

[speaklightly]

Ref-

Here is my experience. I bought a no-name carbon fiber monopod with case for $19.95 at our local Fred Meyer Store (part of the Kroger chain). It does not have a ball head on it, but it stated that it would support 8.2 pounds of camera weight. That makes me think that that weight rating is just the dead weight capacity rating. I have used it with all of the dSLR's including the Canon 20D, which is the largest/heaviest. In addition, my husband has used it for his Canon GL2 video camera which is even bigger, and quite a load.

In the process of taking photos we have really borne down on it, with no problems at all. It extens to 68 inches and folds to 18 inches, making it a nice size to pop into a suitcase for travel.

We have used it for over a year and feel that it has been an excellent investment. Oh yes, a sidebar note. The first monopod I purchased was a heavy Manfrotto ($50 with shipping) and it has remained at home and gets used very infrequently indeed due to it size. I believe it is 27 inches when collasped.

Sarah Joyce

[ReF]

thanks, that helped a lot. couldn't ask for a better reply

[cdifoto]

You mentioned the Slik Mono Pod 350. I have that one and use it for Bigma + Rebel XT without any problems whatsoever. It's rated at 8lbs I think but I have an industrial scale, so I decided to test it out. I fully extended the monopod and put it on the scale. I then pressed down on the top of the monopod to see how much weight it could really handle. I had applied about 21.75lbs of pressure before it started to give way...at the clasps. What I mean is that the clasps weren't gripping tight enough to withstand 21.75lbs of pressure. The monopod started to slide closed. The pole itself was fine...

Good enough for me @ $35 shipped from B&H. Bigma is one of the heavier lenses out there at 4.5lbs...I don't know of any dSLR bodies that weigh more than 17lbs.

It weighs in at 10 ounces and is 21.25 inches when closed so it's quite portable as well.

[TheObiJuan]

I'm going with the feisol monopod.

[D70FAN]

I've been using the Manfrotto 679 with a simple ballhead and retractable base spike (about $80 total). I use it as a walking stick for hiking when the camera isn't mounted and use it almost every time I shoot. I'm buying the pistol grip quick release and folding base (makes it into a camera stand) this weekend.

[SamPhilly]

My setup if very similar to George, it's great to have while hiking around.