Monopod for my 200-400

It is becoming obvious that while my vintage Tammy 200-400 F5.6 can be hand held, it is a bit of a beast and it has a tripod mount for a reason.

I have a tripod or three I can use, but was thinking I could pick up a mono-pod to use when I take this old long Tammy out for a walk.

Looked at a few - cheap one's are available on eBay, this one comes with a pretty model for under $20
Pinshe 1003 Lightweight 62" Camera Monopod Portable FOR Canon Nikon DSLR E102 | eBay


Of course you can pay more, way more even on eBay

Also took a look on Amazon.Ca - eg. the "Koolehaoda Professional Camera Aluminium Monopod Fluid Video Head with Folding Three Feet Support Stand, Max:58.2" which must be real Kool eh?

Even a Manfrotto MMC3-01 ('discounted version) for only $33 + $10 shipping. I'm really leaning towards this one only because of the brand name attached.

Of course I can pay much more $200 gets me a Manfrotto 560B-1 Fluid Video Monopod and then I get free shipping from Amazon.

Will look at other vendors and see what I can find.



Never tried those little three way feet attachments - could be helpful - or a bother?

I can disassemble my "Trans-functional" Benro and change one of the legs into a mon0pod but that is such a bother, want a less expensive on I can leave with this long Tammy so it is convenient.

What say ye Nikonites - good idea or not?

I hope it will work great for you! I agree that they can get very expensive!

To hell with the three leg thingy. I like the two leg sweety.

I love a good monopod but I don't really like the ones with the fold out feet. I have a Manfrotto 679B and it's a beast of monopod for the money (about $50). It's the heavier of the two I own but it's solid as a rock. The other monopod I own is a Slik 350; it's smaller and lighter but doesn't have the load cap of the bigger Manfrotto. It sees a lot of use because it's so much easier to tote around.
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Little more research on capacities suggests that at minimum I'll need one that is $50+ before head. I'd like to get the same quick release plate I use on my Trans-functional Travel Angel, these are arca-swiss style (I buy PU60/50 Quick Release Plates from eBay they work fine on my Benro and cost about $5-6 each). I see the quick release plate used is dependant on the head purchased. I assume one does not need to use the Manfrotto heads but could use one that takes the arca-swiss style quick release plates. I'd want the tilting one to make it easier to point the camera skyward. Some tilt is easy enough but not for birds in flight or even up a tree - depending of course on how close you are. Looking at the options I'm thinking I'll wait until I'm in the camera store where I can handle this thing. I see on line that Vistek and The Camera store both sell these in stock for about the same price. Might even get a good used one at the used Camera store in Calgary. Going to go to Vintage Visuals Photographic Vintage Visuals when I'm in Calgary later next month, maybe pick up a good used one.

That 322 looks interesting - bit pricey but sounds like you see it as money well spent.
The 679B I can get on Amazon for $69 (the 680B is $10 more) Thinking this might be my best option. Cost is the same for the similar Benro version. I'd have to wait on the 322. I do have a pan and tilt head on another tripod that could be re-assigned to the monopod and think about this 322. And I'd have it within ten days or so from Amazon instead of six to eight weeks of eBay.