Monopod advice...

Hi All,

So I'm looking to get a monopod but don't really know where to start. I currently own a very cheap tripod, which is fine as I use it very little anyway. A monopod on the other hand I foresee using quite a lot and I want to buy one that will last me many years to come.

Wildlife photography is my primary focus, I currently only have a D3200 with a 70-300mm but I will be looking to get a D7100 (or its eventual replacement) and either a much longer zoom, such as an 80-400 or Tamzooka 150-600 or a 300mm prime with a teleconverter. Either way it will be a heavier set up than I have now.

Based on a post in another thread here I'm looking at a Manfrotto 680B, which sells for £44 on Amazon. I believe this monopod will take up to 10kg which I'm sure will be plenty. The other option I'm looking at is the Manfrotto MM294A4 294, which is £38 on Amazon. This only holds up to 5kg but is much lighter, so would be more practical for carrying on long hikes etc.

My question is which of these would you recommend or are there better options out there. I probably wouldn't want to spend any more than £75, although if the advice is that I should be looking to be spending more than that then I guess I'd consider it.

Thanks in advance.

Also am I going to need to purchase a monopod head for this and if so what would be best for wildlife photography such as BIF etc.?

I bought a cheap 15 dollar monopod the other day at Target, to see if I like using a monopod and to see if it would get much use before I spent money on an expensive one.
Turns out that I really like using the monopod, and be buying a more sturdy one. Which one? I have no idea.

I have an aluminum Manfrotto 680B monopod that I use quite a bit with my D7100 and 70-200.

You said pounds so here Manfrotto 680B 4 Section Monopod Black: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

It's solid, well built, the locking clasps lock tightly. It has two different thread sizes to screw stuff onto the top, and it is on the taller side. I use a quick release head to get extra height since I am 6' 4".

Here Manfrotto Monopod Head Quick Release: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

Overall I'm really happy with it and if anything ever happens to it I would be willing to buy it again.

Thanks mauckcg, I'm 5' 8" so I wouldn't need the quick release head for extra height, are there any other advantages to having the quick release head?

I've not used a monopod but assumed you tilt and twist the whole thing to compose your shot, as opposed to swiveling the head as you would on a tripod?

I might think about that option Blacktop to see how I like using one, but I suspect like yourself I will like it and will want to buy a sturdy one.

Buy once and be done. You will use it, I use mine more than my tripod. As far as heads, be aware that Manfrotto uses proprietary mounting plates. Thats fine if you plan to stick with Manfrotto. Myself I went with ball heads that use the Arca type plate as its more readily available for other types of accessories like the Kirk L-Plate that stays on my camera all the time. There are some other types but Arca is what I use and have multiple ball heads with multiple mounting plates and they are all universal with my equipment.

Type of monopod, I went with Manfrotto carbon fiber. I think it was 100.00 give or take. I did go the cheap route and it didn't stabilize my equipment like I wanted, so just extend the monopod and see how much flex it has. The ball heads are Pro Master BS-08 and BS-18, one for my tripod and one for my monopod. But there are a lot good manufacturers for Ball Heads.

There are several systems, just figure out what you might grow into or add on and go from there. I haven't regretted mine one bit.

Elliot87 said:

Thanks mauckcg, I'm 5' 8" so I wouldn't need the quick release head for extra height, are there any other advantages to having the quick release head?

I've not used a monopod but assumed you tilt and twist the whole thing to compose your shot, as opposed to swiveling the head as you would on a tripod?

Click to expand...

You flip a lever and a switch and whatever the plate is attached to pops right off. It's quicker and less fiddly than screwing the lens on every time and making sure it's tight. Being my size I tend to over torque things without realizing it.

You twist and tilt as you need to. The manfrotto has a rubber nub on the bottom so it rotates easily on most surfaces. Some monopods have little feet on them to help stabilize them. Those tend to be for video though.