Monopod recommendation: I will be visiting Sedona AZ and the Grand Canyon in May and think I would like to buy a monopod to bring on that trip. What do UHH members think? Good idea or...

pismojimbo Loc: Pismo Beach CA

I will be visiting Sedona AZ and the Grand Canyon in May and think I would like to buy a monopod to bring on that trip.
What do UHH members think? Good idea or not?
And if so what are some recommendation for an inexpensive lightweight one. I will be using a Canon T3i with a Tamron AF 18-270 f/3.5-6.3 Di ll VG PZD Lens.

Moles Loc: South Carolina

A monopod is always a good idea. For one trip it matters little which brand, but for life, Gitzo is the best, IMHO.

pismojimbo wrote:

I will be visiting Sedona AZ and the Grand Canyon in May and think I would like to buy a monopod to bring on that trip.
What do UHH members think? Good idea or not?
And if so what are some recommendation for an inexpensive lightweight one. I will be using a Canon T3i with a Tamron AF 18-270 f/3.5-6.3 Di ll VG PZD Lens.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

pismojimbo wrote:

I will be visiting Sedona AZ and the Grand Canyon in May and think I would like to buy a monopod to bring on that trip.
What do UHH members think? Good idea or not?
And if so what are some recommendation for an inexpensive lightweight one. I will be using a Canon T3i with a Tamron AF 18-270 f/3.5-6.3 Di ll VG PZD Lens.

I was in Target yesterday getting batteries and they have the Targus line on clearance. The 4 section monopods were only $7.50, regularly $34.95. Nothing fancy but they would do the job if you were not looking for a lifetime investment quality monopod. For that I would recommend the Manfrotto 681.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I found a Manfrotto carbon fiber monopod at Sammy's for under $100. Aluminum monopods actually increase in weight as you hike, or it feels like it.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I've been using an Opteka CFM200 for about 3 years. It is carbon fiber, 5 sections, collapses to 17" for easy packing, rated for 9 pounds and weighs 11 oz. It is about $40 at Amazon.

amehta Loc: Boston

pismojimbo wrote:

I will be visiting Sedona AZ and the Grand Canyon in May and think I would like to buy a monopod to bring on that trip.
What do UHH members think? Good idea or not?
And if so what are some recommendation for an inexpensive lightweight one. I will be using a Canon T3i with a Tamron AF 18-270 f/3.5-6.3 Di ll VG PZD Lens.

I highly recommend a monopod, much more convenient than a tripod and it can really help keep things steady. I use the Induro carbon fiber ones, but the Induro aluminum ones (link) should work well also, since your load is considerably lighter than mine. :-)

breck Loc: Derbyshire UK

Agreed I have the carbon Induro great monopods extremely well made it has lasted me several years and survived two African safari's and several trips to the Far East with no trouble

amehta wrote:

I highly recommend a monopod, much more convenient than a tripod and it can really help keep things steady. I use the Induro carbon fiber ones, but the Induro aluminum ones (link) should work well also, since your load is considerably lighter than mine. :-)

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

I'm with MTShooter, the Manfrotto 681 is great. You can find these on ebay for about $40-60 used. I'm 6' and it can extend over my head. Also will handle the big zoom's too boot.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

pismojimbo wrote:

I will be visiting Sedona AZ and the Grand Canyon in May and think I would like to buy a monopod to bring on that trip.
What do UHH members think? Good idea or not?
And if so what are some recommendation for an inexpensive lightweight one. I will be using a Canon T3i with a Tamron AF 18-270 f/3.5-6.3 Di ll VG PZD Lens.

It's easier for traveling than a tripod, and you can use it as a walking stick. Google using a monopod, and you'
ll see how you should actually use one like a tripod. Getting a ball head might be a good idea.

http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+use+a+monopod&rlz=1C1DVCJ_enUS499US537&oq=how+to+use+a+monopod&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.3624j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

amehta Loc: Boston

jerryc41 wrote:

It's easier for traveling than a tripod, and you can use it as a walking stick. Google using a monopod, and you'
ll see how you should actually use one like a tripod. Getting a ball head might be a good idea.

I do not like using a ball-head on a monopod. When I tried it, it was very unstable while trying to adjust it. The camera can flop down sideways or forwards, so you need three hands: one to hold the camera, a second to hold the monopod, and the third to unlock/lock the head. A tilt-swivel head would be better, that might be one of my two G.A.S. 2014 purchases. Since it only has one degree of freedom, holding the camera steady can keep the monopod in place, and the second hand can unlock/lock the head.

In addition to being a good walking stick, it can also be a good club to scare away any small, dangerous critters. ;-)

olcoach Loc: Oregon

I am in a wheelchair and I would be lost without my monopod. It is almost always with me and, while it isn't a tripod it is close in it's benefits. A great piece of gear.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

pismojimbo wrote:

I will be visiting Sedona AZ and the Grand Canyon in May and think I would like to buy a monopod to bring on that trip.
What do UHH members think? Good idea or not?
And if so what are some recommendation for an inexpensive lightweight one. I will be using a Canon T3i with a Tamron AF 18-270 f/3.5-6.3 Di ll VG PZD Lens.

I've been using a Manfrotto for some time. The weight was not an issue, since I only use it for events close to home. It's sturdy and easily deployed.
--Bob

Toby

pismojimbo wrote:

I will be visiting Sedona AZ and the Grand Canyon in May and think I would like to buy a monopod to bring on that trip.
What do UHH members think? Good idea or not?
And if so what are some recommendation for an inexpensive lightweight one. I will be using a Canon T3i with a Tamron AF 18-270 f/3.5-6.3 Di ll VG PZD Lens.

I bought a cheap mono from Wal-Mart and a few months later the screw mount broke. Since it was still in warranty they replaced it. A few months later the 2nd one broke. I went out to a camera store and on their recommendation spent about $100 on one. Had it for several years with no problem.

Don't mess with cheap stuff for holding your camera. A year or so ago down at an OSU football game a photographer was carrying his camera with a 70-200 lens by holding the mono only and he had the same failure that I had had. His equipment bounced on the blacktop along the edge of the field because he wasn't wearing the strap around his neck. I was taught a cheap lesson, he was not.

amehta Loc: Boston

Toby wrote:

I bought a cheap mono from Wal-Mart and a few mont... (show quote)

Excellent point.

It makes sense to save a few bucks when the consequences of failure are low. But when the consequences are high, the risk has to be very low. Nothing has higher consequences than a support system failure, whether it's a tripod, monopod, head, or strap.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I like both my Manfrotto 685B but prefer my Sirui P-326 for traveling (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822252-REG/Sirui_BSRP326_P_326_6_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html ). It's carbon fiber, very sturdy and collapses to just 15 inches. Price: $100.