What to look for when buying a monopod?

[alfa147x]

Im looking to buy a monopod for next years football season and other thing
what should i be looking for?
I saw this one Text

Thanks
~Alfa147x

 

[warmodder]

I have a manfrotto I use whenever I shoot sports. It's not carbon fiber, but it's still fairly light. I think I paid 40 dollars for it.

 

[tfinch2]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bogen-Manf...94400155QQcmdZViewItem

I have that monopod. I think I've used it about twice. It just sits in the closet. You can have it for $30 shipped.

 

[OdiN]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...onopod_Black_with.html

That's the one that I use. I like it because it has a tilt head so that you can do portrait orientation as well as landscape.

It also uses the same quick release plate as my tripod, which is quite hepful.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I have the Bogen-Manfrotto 682B self-standing monopod:

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia...?livid=107|117&idx=119

Neat idea, less than optimal implementation.

Heavy-ish. The three legs are solid steel rods and the body is aluminum. The legs also clank around in the body and it's completely useless as a free standing monopod with a biggish lens because it will never stop swaying. With a good deal of weight the legs actually start to act more like springs with their incessant harmonic motion. Definitely a half-assed design, but it's ok for places that don't allow tripods or where tripods are impractical.

I'm totally on the fence as to whether or not to recommend it. The extra utility of self-support is definitely there compared to other monopods, but it has face-smacking design deficiencies.

 

[gsellis]

You really can't go wrong with the Bogan Manfrotto monopods. The strap helps you stead, it is lightweight, but sturdy enough to carry in rough neighborhoods

I use mine to shoot video. My only gripe is with the stiction that the rubber foot creates. That is not an issue for stills and there is a different foot that would eliminate that issue.

A monopod is also MUCH safer than a tripod near the sidelines (I got annoyed at some of our high school shooters using a tripod on the sidelines. A recipe for injury and a sure way to get the camera destroyed without a chances of moving out of the way.)

 

[corkyg]

A monopod can also serve as a good hiking stick when negotiating difficult trails and photo access points. I like one with solid height adjustment, a hand grip, and a wrist strap.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bogen-Manf...94400155QQcmdZViewItem

I have that monopod. I think I've used it about twice. It just sits in the closet. You can have it for $30 shipped.

Thanks but im looking for one with the tilting head
and i am beginning to question my need for a monopod

 

[warmodder]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: tfinch2
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bogen-Manf...94400155QQcmdZViewItem

I have that monopod. I think I've used it about twice. It just sits in the closet. You can have it for $30 shipped.

Thanks but im looking for one with the tilting head
and i am beginning to question my need for a monopod

You could buy a ball head to put on top. It than does double duty if you ever need to get a tripod down the road. You could get a decent one for around $70.

 

[GoingUp]

I bought one at REI on Saturday. It's actually a collapsable walking stick for hiking, but you can take the top off and it has a screw at the top for the bottom of the camera. Thing goes to almost 6 feet tall. Ran me $50.

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
I bought one at REI on Saturday. It's actually a collapsable walking stick for hiking, but you can take the top off and it has a screw at the top for the bottom of the camera. Thing goes to almost 6 feet tall. Ran me $50.

I've seen those as well but they didn't seem very rugged, more of a hiking stick with a monopod attachment. I have the Bogen/Manfrotto 679B with the 3232 head and it works great, its the reverse of what you got.

BTW...REI rocks!

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: alfa147x
What to look for when buying a monopod?

The other two legs.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: alfa147x
What to look for when buying a monopod?

The other two legs.

lol i have a tripod, it just doesn't work out on a football field