Looking for "STURDY" monopod: Calling for help!!!!! Can anyone tell me which monopod is strong and sturdy enough to hold a 400mm f/2.8 lens. I tried the one I already own and it was a...

capt2575 Loc: New York City

Calling for help!!!!! Can anyone tell me which monopod is strong and sturdy enough to hold a 400mm f/2.8 lens. I tried the one I already own and it was a failure to say the least. I ended up attempting to Hand Hold this monster and it beat me down quickly. So, what I am say is I need a recommendation for a monopod and a head.

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

Make one. I made a combination walking stick / monopod from a crape myrtle stock. It is strong and light weight. I put a rubber foot made for a walking cane on the bottom and fastened a bolt in the top for attaching a camera or other.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Lots of members on here are using the Manfrotto/Bogen 681 monopod. I have one and it is stout and priced right. You can find them on ebay for between $40- $70 used. It isn't carbon fiber, but a great monopod that is durable and strong. I am 6' and can look straight in the view finder with pod fully extended. Have a Sirius tilt head mounted on pod. Use it with my Nikon DX and FX camera's with 70-200 2.8.
Hope this helps!

RicknJude Loc: Quebec, Canada

capt2575 wrote:

Calling for help!!!!! Can anyone tell me which monopod is strong and sturdy enough to hold a 400mm f/2.8 lens. I tried the one I already own and it was a failure to say the least. I ended up attempting to Hand Hold this monster and it beat me down quickly. So, what I am say is I need a recommendation for a monopod and a head.

If I was in New York I'd go into B&H and talk to the nice people. :D

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

I've seen some posts here that recommend using a shooting stick (for rifles) as a good support for big lenses. The Primos Monopod Trigger is available on Amazon for about $50. K-Mart has one for $15.00!!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Figure out the weight of the camera and lens. Double it and read through the long lists of options at B&H, Adorama and Amazon.

Be sure you have a tripod collar for the lens.

I have one I like a lot that cost $35. I put a $35 ballhead on it. If I break it, loose it or it gets taken by the TSA, I'll buy the same thing.

Monopods are simple devices. It would be very hard to get one that does not work.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

capt2575 wrote:

Calling for help!!!!! Can anyone tell me which monopod is strong and sturdy enough to hold a 400mm f/2.8 lens. I tried the one I already own and it was a failure to say the least. I ended up attempting to Hand Hold this monster and it beat me down quickly. So, what I am say is I need a recommendation for a monopod and a head.

I have one of these and really love it. Holds 22 pounds, extends up to 72 inches and is carbon fiber.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/918758-REG/sirui_p_324x_photo_video_monopod.html

In fact, your in the city, go to B&H or Adorama and look at the things.

Moles Loc: South Carolina

I have a Gitzo 5561, strong but light, really good quality.

amehta Loc: Boston

I use the Induro CM34 ($152) with a 300mm f/2.8 with no problem, I'm confident it can handle a 400mm f/2.8 as well. I don't usually use a ball head with the monopod, but I recently have used the Induro BHL1 ($192) which is usually on my tripod, and it has worked fairly well. I think for such a heavy lens, though, a tilt head would be better, like the Really Right Stuff MH-02 Pro ($250).

SirAlistair Loc: Gingin Western Australia

I use the Really Right Stuff monopod for my HEAVY Canon 500mm F4 ii lens, the monopod is taller than me, so I can use my lens above my head to photograph birds high in the trees. And it is stable enough for me to lean my full weight on it, and my lens. Sure there are Cheeper monopods out there, but why buy the top of the range camera and lens, to have it wobble all over the place on a cheep monopod. Do not buy anything until you have had a good look around And have tried a few.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

capt2575 wrote:

Calling for help!!!!! Can anyone tell me which monopod is strong and sturdy enough to hold a 400mm f/2.8 lens. I tried the one I already own and it was a failure to say the least. I ended up attempting to Hand Hold this monster and it beat me down quickly. So, what I am say is I need a recommendation for a monopod and a head.

"Strong and sturdy" comes at a price. Take a look at Really Right Stuff.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/s.nl/sc.26/category.564/.f

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

yes, I use a Benro, carbon fiber Monopod, it holds my Nikon D800 as well as my long and heavy tele lenses, with no problems, whatsoever!!

capt2575 wrote:

Calling for help!!!!! Can anyone tell me which monopod is strong and sturdy enough to hold a 400mm f/2.8 lens. I tried the one I already own and it was a failure to say the least. I ended up attempting to Hand Hold this monster and it beat me down quickly. So, what I am say is I need a recommendation for a monopod and a head.

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

Manfrotto 681B. $70 at B&H Photo.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5480-REG/Manfrotto_681B_681B_3_Section_Monopod.html

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I have a Benro monopod and a Benro tripod. Both are very sturdy.

lone ranger wrote:

yes, I use a Benro, carbon fiber Monopod, it holds my Nikon D800 as well as my long and heavy tele lenses, with no problems, whatsoever!!

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Mr. B wrote:

Manfrotto 681B. $70 at B&H Photo.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5480-REG/Manfrotto_681B_681B_3_Section_Monopod.html

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