monopod w/ feet and ball-head for $100

jchin

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Can someone recommend a monopod with feet, so it can stand on its own, and maybe include a ball-head for about $100-150?

I need it to hold my 40D with grip and 70-200/2.8 IS lens.
That should be the maximum load I can see myself put on the monopod.

I want the "feet" so I can use it as a tripod when I want to get into the shot.

Thanks. [/FONT]

jchin

On second thought, I probably only need something that can flip the camera vertical, not necessarily a ball head.

rwells

Here's the pod: Manfrotto 560B


And here's Canon's repair facility when it all goes crashing to the ground.

Canon Factory Service Center
<ADDRESS>15955 Alton Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92618
</ADDRESS>(949) 753-4200
www.canonusa.com


Good luck!

ziggy53

jchin wrote:

On second thought, I probably only need something that can flip the camera vertical, not necessarily a ball head.

With your EF 70-200mm, f2.8L IS USM you can mount to the tripod ring and use that to rotate the camera and lens. That's actually usually preferable to mounting to the camera and usually what I do.

ziggy53

rwells wrote:

...

And here's Canon's repair facility when it all goes crashing to the ground.

Canon Factory Service Center
<address>15955 Alton Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92618
</address>(949) 753-4200
www.canonusa.com


Good luck!

Too true. I would not recommend unattended use of a telephoto zoom and camera on a monopod with feet. It's just asking for trouble.

BTW, I often would use a tripod with the legs pulled in as something like a monopod, and then open the legs for tripod use. It works great. <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/thumb.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >

Art Scott

I use andreally like the Giottos P-POD.....have had mine around 4yrs and it is great...especially when I need to get low for a macro or close up shot....it also has a 3-way tilting fluid head ...... great little mono pod.............

Called the most versatile monopod in the world here is a LINK to an ebay auction.....with buy it now for 89.99 + s/h
and a LINK with photos to show the versatility of this fantastic M-pod....even with the legs stored in the lower section I still carry mine into the woods and it does not rattle a lot....the legs fit pretty tight in the lower section.

Good Luck!!

divamum

This is definitely NOT the long-lasting, super-solid, pro solution, but I have found it a very useful and cost-effective multi-use item

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/291660751.htm

Pros
Solid as a monopod
Very affordable for the weight - seems much sturdier than other budget 'pods
The extendable feet are useful for quickie self-supporting (I would NOT feel comfortable using it as a substitute tripod)
Those extendable feet turn it into a great makeshift stand for a hotshoe flash off camera! (just screw the magmount into an umbrella/shoe fitting and you're good to go for shooting things from about knees to shoulder height, ie sitting subject)

Cons
I'm definitely not 100% sold on the magmount - it's ok, but it is NOT, IMO, sturdy enough to hold a camera loaded with grip and flash and a heavier lens. Maybe there's an extra heavy-duty disk for it (note to self: check for heavy duty disk), but with the two included ones I don't feel it's as tightly mounted as I'd like, even with the clip guard used.
Lowest it goes is about waist height (before adding camera)
I wish it had one more section so it would collapse smaller for easier carrying/stowing

But for $70 I'm really glad I have one - it's a decent all-purpose tool as long as you don't expect it to be the best of the best. For a top-grade monopod, look elsewhere; for a cost-effective solution that can be easily used for other photographic jobs, this one's good.

mrcoons

I use the Bogen/Manfrotto 682B (but I never let go if it!! ).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5495-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_682B_682B_Monopod_Black_.html#features

It's very solid, will support 26 lbs, is close to your price range and did I mention that I never let go of it.