I have an aluminum Giottos monopod that I like a lot. The problem is, that it is very noisy. No matter what position the tubes are in, it jangles any time I move it. Since I specialize in concert and theater photography, this is a major problem.
So, I'd like to buy a decent monopod that is absolutely silent when you move it.
I've got that one, and the only thing that makes noise is the hand strap. More specifically, the ring holding it on the monopod. The metal-on-metal contact makes for some killer screeching noises when it spins. Wish it was removable without destroying it.
This really is the best value I've ever seen in monopods. In the dark it's indistinguishable from my buddy's (vastly more expensive) Gitzo, and a piece of gaffers tape or duct tape around the top renders it silent.
So embarrassed. I went to the local camera store to put my hands on some of these monopods. I noticed the more expensive ones all rattled when I moved them.. weird. I mentioned it to a sales person. He proceeded to unscrew the foot and take out three metal legs that are stored inside the monopod. I totally forgot that mine had these legs as well. I went out to the car and took them out and end of problem. He saved me some money today!
