Monopod? Hi I am looking at buying a Walking Stick, that also can be used as a Monopod. Does anyone have one and what brand do you have? How do you Like it? We have looked at a few and...

Cassy Loc: New England

Hi
I am looking at buying a Walking Stick, that also can be used as a Monopod. Does anyone have one and what brand do you have? How do you Like it? We have looked at a few and they extend, but I am nervous about using a walking stick that extends... Thanks Cassy

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Cassy wrote:

Hi
I am looking at buying a Walking Stick, that also can be used as a Monopod. Does anyone have one and what brand do you have? How do you Like it? We have looked at a few and they extend, but I am nervous about using a walking stick that extends... Thanks Cassy

I've a Manfrotto monopod that is quite substantial. I'm not going to sit on it, but have leaned on it without any changing in length.

A walking stick is a fixed length and may not be suitable for every photographic opportunity.

I'm not trying to talk you out of, or into, either. Just some additional information for you.
--Bob

littlebiddle Loc: Yakima Wa USA

Look on Amazon and they have several that range in price and size depending on the camera you are going to use! I have a Manfroto that I use and cost was about $70. There are cheaper ones but my camera and lens weight dictated what I could use! Mine locks down rather nicely and I wish I had it with me when I fell in California. I might not need surgery on my shoulder if I had taken it with me! Dave Biddle

Cassy wrote:

Hi
I am looking at buying a Walking Stick, that also can be used as a Monopod. Does anyone have one and what brand do you have? How do you Like it? We have looked at a few and they extend, but I am nervous about using a walking stick that extends... Thanks Cassy

J. R. WEEMS Loc: Winchester, Virginia

Cassy wrote:

Hi
I am looking at buying a Walking Stick, that also can be used as a Monopod. Does anyone have one and what brand do you have? How do you Like it? We have looked at a few and they extend, but I am nervous about using a walking stick that extends... Thanks Cassy

I also have Manfrotto monopod that is quite substantial. It is 2 or 3 times more sturdy than almost any walking stick I have ever seen. I would trust mine over any walking stick I have come in contact with. JMHO :)

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Consider the MeFoto Walkabout monopod ($59.00 at B&H). It comes with a knob on top of the mounting screw that has a compass in it. Fully extended it is 59" not including the Oben ball head I have mounted on it. That makes it just about the right height for me (I'm 5'6") with a camera mounted on it to allow some tilt & good stability.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I used to use my benro a38f as a walking stick/monopod. Now it mostly just sits in storage as I defer to my tripod/IS when I need to stabilize my camera.

Cassy Loc: New England

Cassy wrote:

Hi
I am looking at buying a Walking Stick, that also can be used as a Monopod. Does anyone have one and what brand do you have? How do you Like it? We have looked at a few and they extend, but I am nervous about using a walking stick that extends... Thanks Cassy

Thanks all for the responses.

bruswen Loc: Eugene OR

Cassy wrote:

Hi
I am looking at buying a Walking Stick, that also can be used as a Monopod. Does anyone have one and what brand do you have? How do you Like it? We have looked at a few and they extend, but I am nervous about using a walking stick that extends... Thanks Cassy

I use a Tracks Sherlock Travel Staff for hiking, it can be used as a monopod in a pinch with a standard 1/4 inch camera mount under the knob. It has a carbide spike under the rubber foot for different conditions. Very sturdy, it has some heft to it so it might not appeal to someone used to the light poles used by many people.

If my emphasis is on photography I prefer to bring an Oben carbon fiber monopod (CTM-2400) with a quick release head. It also has either rubber foot or steel spike. It makes an excellent walking stick as well, very sturdy!

J. R. WEEMS Loc: Winchester, Virginia

I must add, I tried a cheaper one early on, the first time I tried to use it the rascal broke under the weight of my D700, with just my 400MM lens on it. :( Lesson learned.-- :roll:

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

nicksr1125 wrote:

Consider the MeFoto Walkabout monopod ($59.00 at B&H). It comes with a knob on top of the mounting screw that has a compass in it. Fully extended it is 59" not including the Oben ball head I have mounted on it. That makes it just about the right height for me (I'm 5'6") with a camera mounted on it to allow some tilt & good stability.

Yes, I bought one like this at our local camera store for the same amount. It is specifically designed to serve as both a walking stick and a monopod, and the height is easily adjusted. I plan to make heavy use of it Memorial Day weekend, when my wife and I make our annual trip up to Point Pelee NP, to do lots of walking and perhaps see some migrating birds. Attaching a 300mm adopted lens on my Pentax Q7 gives me roughly the same view as a 1400mm lens gives on a FF, and I need a little help in stabilizing that.

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Good morning Cassy, I purchased a Benro carbon fiber tripod on amazon, which converts to a monopod, and a walking stick, and comes with a very nicely finished wooden handle,and a very nice cover, to store it in, when your not using it... its expensive, but very well constructed and will last you many years. I highly recommend it....

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

Cassy wrote:

Hi
I am looking at buying a Walking Stick, that also can be used as a Monopod. Does anyone have one and what brand do you have? How do you Like it? We have looked at a few and they extend, but I am nervous about using a walking stick that extends... Thanks Cassy

http://www.rei.com/product/883872/rei-hiker-shocklight-staff#tab-description

I use it a lot

chickenfish

Take a look at this Photographer's Walking Stick on Amazon. I just ordered one for myself and like it very much. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W5TR0GQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

Cassy wrote:

Hi
I am looking at buying a Walking Stick, that also can be used as a Monopod. Does anyone have one and what brand do you have? How do you Like it? We have looked at a few and they extend, but I am nervous about using a walking stick that extends... Thanks Cassy

I do some wood carving with a group on Monday afternoons and a couple people in the group are into carving walking sticks. I've been planning to make one that is cut to the right length and put a camera mount on top.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Cdouthitt wrote:

I used to use my benro a38f as a walking stick/monopod. Now it mostly just sits in storage as I defer to my tripod/IS when I need to stabilize my camera.

FYI, I'd probably be willing to sell it if you're interested. It has a arca-swiss mount attached on top of it too.

http://douthittfamily.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Gear/i-NpbsvdV/0/L/PA156234-101511-L.jpg