Canoe50d

Would love to hear from those that use a Monopod along with a heavy lens. I'm using a Canon ef 500mm F4 as well just picked up a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 (just as heavy as the Canon). Not sure my ultra light mono will do the trick. I would like to hear what model/brand your using and with or without a head. I have a pistol grip now and love it, but don't think it will hold this weight. Thanks in advance for any feedback (photos would be great as well.)

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Ultra light mono and heavy lens doesn't sound like a good plan.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

My monopod is one of the old aluminum Gitzo Studex models, which will still be usable by my grandchildren. It appears that Gitzo only makes carbon fiber pods now, but the older ones are readily available on ebay and elsewhere. It makes using my Nikon 80-200/2.8 effortless, and the one time I rented a 300/2.8 I could not have handled it without a monopod.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

For heavy lenses and camera bodies I use my old and trusted
Benbo mono-pod. It is as heavy as the lens but does the job.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Any monopod should have a weight rating.* Since it has only one leg, and all the weight is pressing straight down, weight shouldn't be an issue. The main concern would be the locks on the legs not being able to hold the weight.

*I looked at a few online, and there was no mention of weight capacity.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

[ have one camera/lens combo where weight is an issue. my pentax 645d and a pentax 67 300mm lens makes for a heavy combo. I use a lens support which supports both the camera and lens. the monopod mounts in the center for balance. the monopod is a moderate priced one, and so far weight has not been an issue.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I use a Feisol CM-1471with a RRS MH-02LR, on top a Nikon 200-400 f/4 with either a D5, D3s, D750 ,D500...handles any combo without flaw.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I use the Sirui P-424R https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1352783-REG/sirui_p424sr_vh10x_10x_carbon_fiber_4.html which has a load capacity of 26lb and have used it with Nikon 200-400mm F4 VRII lens weighing 7.4 LB and Nikon D4 weighing 3 LB.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Tried it once, NEVER AGAIN.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Why did you have problems with it? I use the one I mentioned above which can hold 26 LB and use their head rated at 36 LB load capacity, it has feet to steady it and is lighter to carry than my tripod.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Don't for get to add the weight of a dead weight forearm,(3-5 lbs. in my case) if you...like me at times let it hang to zoom and or rest to help steady it. :)

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I found a good deal on a excellent condition Gitzo GM5561T monopod on eBay that is rated as their strongest monopod IIRC. When I researched it on B&H it was about $450 new. I also have a RRS 2 way adjustable tilt head for use on the monopod that I also got on eBay. Probably have about $500 in the setup and think it would support anything. I think RRS makes some really heavy duty monopods too. You can find good deals on eBay if you are willing to wait and watch and research. I have a Gitzo 2541 monopod for sale on eBay now...

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Your monopod looks great but what kind of load would take 66 LB, I find with mine I would never have a load of 26 LB, even at a max setting say a Nikon 800mm lens of 11 LB and a 3 LB camera I wouldn't exceed 15 or 16 LB.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Many of the Gitzo monopods are rated at 66 lb load. That doesn't mean you are going to put 66 lbs of weight on top of it. It means LOAD... Load in my mind is the stress that is placed on the extended monopod when the weight is not centered over the top and aligned with the center of the earth... The weight on an extended monopod can act as the weight on the end of a lever in my view. An easy example of this type of load would be if someone uses a monopod as a handled strobe and soft box holder. They may have an assistant hold the rig out over a shot at an angle to get the lighting they want. That 8-10 lbs of strobe and soft box can seem a lot heavier.

The other thing is how people carry their setup. Some people remove the lens and camera from the monopod if moving around while others are in a hurry, sports shooters, and just carry by the whole setup by the monopod or throw the lens over their shoulder. To me one of the most important things is how small the strong monopod can be made for travel and perhaps hiking to the shooting area. The other important thing to me is the ability of the sections to quickly lock and unlock securely. I want a monopod that is easy to adjust and also one that is not going to collapse down when I set the weight on it on the ground.

My tripod, ball head and gimbal are all rated for over 55 lbs too but I never expect to put that much weight on them directly. My feeling is I don't want to put $10,000 or more worth of camera gear on a $200 tripod. There are enough risks without going cheap on supporting heavy and expensive gear. That is just my philosophy.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I use my mono-pod with lens and camera attached while walking with the heavy lens carry strap around my neck (no camera strap) and the mono-pod slung across my shoulder. I use the https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1182201-REG/sirui_bsrl20s_l_20s_2_way_pan_tilt_head.html mono-pod head which is overrated at 55 LB load capacity (by overrated I mean a 55 LB load capacity head on a 26 LB load capacity mono-pod).