Travel Monopod: I am traveling to China this summer and rather than drag a tripod with me, I thought a monopod would to the trick. I will be using a Nikon D7100 with an 18-200 lens.

sinderone

I am traveling to China this summer and rather than drag a tripod with me, I thought a monopod would to the trick. I will be using a Nikon D7100 with an 18-200 lens. The key to this trip is to travel light. My monopod criteria are:

light weight
small
stable
well made
won't require a bank loan to purchase ($100.00 or so)

I have seen both Siuri and Oben on line and read both rave and disappointing reviews. The carbon Manfretto is just too long closed. I seek recommendations from those who have used products from these manufacturers. How is the quality and stability?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

sinderone wrote:

I am traveling to China this summer and rather tha... (show quote)

Take a look at the Manfrotto 680B Model. Only 20 inches long closed, 60 1/2" open, 22 pound load rating and only weighs 1.8 pounds. Best of all its only $75 brand new. Very nice compact tripod that will last a lifetime.

sinderone

Unfortunately, that's too heavy. I'm thinking around 1 pound and less than 20 inches long.

amehta Loc: Boston

sinderone wrote:

Unfortunately, that's too heavy. I'm thinking around 1 pound and less than 20 inches long.

The Induro CM-14 (link) is $96, 0.7lbs, 19" collapsed, will fit in a carry-on bag, and will easily support your gear. I used it for 5+ weeks in Australia and New Zealand to hold a D800 with a 300mm f/2.8 lens + 1.4xTC and got great results.

They also have an aluminum monopod, AM-14 for $46, 0.9lbs, 18" collapsed, but I have not used it.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

MT Shooter wrote:

Take a look at the Manfrotto 680B Model. Only 20 inches long closed, 60 1/2" open, 22 pound load rating and only weighs 1.8 pounds. Best of all its only $75 brand new. Very nice compact tripod that will last a lifetime.

MT is spot on. I bought one for an upcoming trip to Yellowstone (MT's stomping grounds) and wanted one with all your needs but also sturdy enough that I could use it as a walking stick. The 680B is a fine piece of kit.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

sinderone wrote:

Unfortunately, that's too heavy. I'm thinking around 1 pound and less than 20 inches long.

11 ounces and 17 inches....

I've used a Opteka CFM200 for a couple years and a few extended trips. I pack it in carry on luggage. I would not call it "heavy duty", but it works for me. I have had to replace the bottom rubber tip with one from a Ace Hardware on a trip to Maui. I have an Opteka ballhead on it.

It is supposed to support 9 pounds. Your rig weighs a little less than 3 pounds. The Opteka is light carbon fiber at about 11 ounces. It collapses to 17".

The price on Amazon/47th St Photl. It is $40. There are 11 good reviews and 4 bad ones. If mine were to break, wear out or be taken by TSA, I would replace it.

Add Loc: S.W.Florida

Don't know if the Canon "Monopod 100" is still available,but if it is,that is the one.Low cost,light weight. It goes with me everywhere and is used most of the time. Despite a recent bad episode with a Canon product,I do like this monopod.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

Feisol has a lightweight monopod that has 3 small legs so it can double as a tri-pod. Not a bad thing to travel with. A little more than $100 but both a monopod and tri-pod.

The tri-pod portion of it is not the most stable, and will not hold a heavy lens, but it will work in a pinch.

x2b8d Loc: Hiding from the NSA

MT Shooter wrote:

Take a look at the Manfrotto 680B Model. Only 20 inches long closed, 60 1/2" open, 22 pound load rating and only weighs 1.8 pounds. Best of all its only $75 brand new. Very nice compact tripod that will last a lifetime.

MT Shooter--can you recommend a lightweight monopod head for this monopod? Or should I just mount my camera directly to the monopod? Thanks in advance.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

x2b8d wrote:

MT Shooter--can you recommend a lightweight monopod head for this monopod? Or should I just mount my camera directly to the monopod? Thanks in advance.

Look at the Manfrotto 234 Pivot Head. Or if you need a quick release system the Manfrotto 234RC version of it.

photoqueen Loc: Vancouver Washington

sinderone wrote:

I am traveling to China this summer and rather tha... (show quote)

I got mine from Amazon - Polaroid that was under $30 and it's great. It's got everything I will need for my desert shooting next month. 22" collapsed, with handle strap, an optional ground spike, and its own case. Just type in Amazon.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

MT Shooter wrote:

Look at the Manfrotto 234 Pivot Head. Or if you need a quick release system the Manfrotto 234RC version of it.

MT Shooter is a pro. I'm not, so take what I say with deference to an expert with access to more and better gear than I will ever have.

That said....

A monopod without a head would be useless to me without a head. But not a tilt head, a ballhead.

I can get a the majority of improvement in reducing camera/camcorder shake by tucking a collapsed monopod in my armpit. A little better by tucking the foot behind my belt or in pants pocket. To do that, I use a ballhead, not a tilt head, to get the angle right.

Rarely do I fully extend the monopod to the ground.

Why? Mobility and reaction time. I got my best ever owl shot with a long lens by being able to move, point and shoot quickly while having camera shake dampened. Even a straight monopod would have been too slow and cumbersome.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I recently bought this one - 1 1/4 lb
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EIAG12E/ref=oh_details_o09_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DOLICA WT-1010 - 61'' Ultra- Premium Professional Monopod
by Dolica
438 customer reviews
| 2 answered questions

list Price: $59.99
Price: $54.99 & FREE Shipping. Details
You Save: $5.00 (8%)

Sold by Goodios and Fulfilled by Amazon.
:
WT-1003 67'' Lightweight
WT-1010 61'' Heavy Duty

Maximum operating height: 61" ; Minimum operating height: 17"; Folded height: 17"
Max operating load: 20 lbs; Number of leg sections: 5
Base thread: 3/8" and ¼" (reversible screw)
Net weight: 1.25 lbs
Material: CNC machined aluminum alloy

amehta Loc: Boston

x2b8d wrote:

MT Shooter--can you recommend a lightweight monopod head for this monopod? Or should I just mount my camera directly to the monopod? Thanks in advance.

For most uses, mounting the camera directly to the monopod works well. The main advantage of a tilt head is with flying things.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

My feeling is a ball head of some kind is a great deal of help with a mono pod when bracing at the different angles encountered "off" the beaten path AKA flat surfaces.

amehta wrote:

For most uses, mounting the camera directly to the monopod works well. The main advantage of a tilt head is with flying things.