Could you suggest me a monopod for D700+heavy lens under $50?

I was looking at:
Giottos MV-8250
Giottos MM9750
Bogen-Manfrotto 679B
Manfrotto 776YB

I shoot a 300 2.8 on a d3 and i use a 680B which is the 690 with another section, a search in the general gear section may yield more results

Of the 4 'pods you listed... the B-M 679B. Rigid, simple, inexpensive, lightweight (as is the case with most monopods), and built well.

I have this pod and find it very good. I've used it with D60 plus grip and a 300 f/2.8 and 1.7TE. I used the heavy duty ballhead with it, also very nice for the price. Both the monopod and ballhead are very sturdy and easy to work with. Fast shipping also as they are in the US.

At the link below, I have that monopod but a smaller ballhead. Both will hold more weight than it is listed as rating. They do sell the monopods and ball heads seperately.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Black-Monopod-with-Premium-Ball-Head_W0QQitemZ350269204792QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item518dabe938

I always use a Manfrotto 3265 type ballhead. The pistol grip makes it really easy to use.

ishootsports3 wrote:
I shoot a 300 2.8 on a d3 and i use a 680B which is the 690 with another section, a search in the general gear section may yield more results


Another plug for the 680B.

i know some people use heads, but i would advise against it unless you find that you need after using a monopod without

I also have a 680B. There isn't anything fancy about it, but it's plenty for what little I need a monopod for. The heaviest setup I've had on it is D700 with grip and 70-200VR. The pod will easily handle more weight than that. The price is right too.

The Manfrotto 679B is what I use. It's solid as a rock, and for the price, it can't be beat.

679B here also. I have Manfrotto/Bogen pivot (not ball) head on it. Very solid and cheap in price. I think the whole set up cost me under $90.

679B here also - been using (and abusing) it for years without a problem - I generally use it with a 300/2.8... Rock solid and reliable!

I use it without a head, but them I'm only 5'8", if I were taller, I'd probably have some sort of head on it, just to give a bit more length...

You want a cheap and useful monopod/trekking stick?

This is good for trekking so must be strong enough. It is... The top screws off to reveal a 1/4 thread. Add a ball head and you have a very serviceable and inexpensive monopod. http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&p=52925&cat=2,40725,45454

Martin

A little over your budget - its $60, but I find the Manfrotto 681B is rock solid for a D700 + 300 f2.8 or 80-400mm 4.5-5.6 VR IS. Lever locks are easy and fast to manipulate too.

Kevin

Don't bother using a head on it - any lens heavy enough to need a monopod should have a rotating tripod collar on it anyway.

Hi

I should have mentioned that the temp guage and compass are crap, but the stick is good.

Martin

I use a Bogen 676B and it gets the job done..

I don't have big boy glass like some of you guys though.

Just my D2H + 80-200/2.8.

When choosing a monopod consider how long it needs to be for when you want to use it while aiming at birds or aircraft that are well above your height, and how short it needs to be when packed up for travelling. Weight is a less significant consideration because your camera gear will weigh a whole lot more by the time you've got a few lenses and accessories in your kit.

A monopod need not be super rigid because you'll be moving anyway - they are after all inherently unstable by design. That's why IS / VR is often recommended with a monopod when it may not be recommended with a tripod. Also it means that unlike a tripod you need not get the "best" you can afford to do a useful job, but do check the weight carrying specs against the camera and lens you might use on it. Chances are that if you get a small ball head or tilt head then that will be the limiting factor in terms of load carrying capacity.

- Alan

i just got one for $30 and about it. I have 400mm AF-I f2.8 on it no problems. to me it is just a stick that not worth spending lots of money on.


just my 2 cents

You can always try this...about $4 for Home Depot. Very solid. Very cheap.

...and has that classic wood vibration dampening

Another vote for the Manfrotto, though I admit to not owning the others. It works fine with the D700 and my 300 f/2.8 with 1.7 extender. However, I do not use a ballhead woth it. I find it less stable and considerably heavier. I prefer Manfrotto's monopod head. I dont need the head to have a full range of motion in that the monopod itself provides that. Also, I find the tripod collar's ability to go verticle is faster and more stable than a ballhead in this situation. Moreover, a ballhead scares me in that it might flop and on a monopod could be dangerous, at least for me.

Using the Manfroto monopod head with its RC2 quick release clamp is also compatible with my other ballheads like the 486RC2 and 488RC2. My two tripods and one monopod all accept that same RC2 plate which is really helpful and fast.

While I agree that a long pod and a ball head are not necessary, they an be really useful. One trick I often use is to extend the pod pretty long, then either place is several feet in front of me and lean into it a little, I or place the foot between my legs and brace it against my knee. Both of these techniques for a pseudo 3-point setup and offer lots more stability. Obviously, since the pod is angled, you'll need some sort of head. I also find having the head adjustment cinched but not tight allows me to pan or tilt the camera/lens with enough resistance to still add stability.

Another thing I often do is use a very short monopod on a ball head. The head is attached to the lens foot, and the bod is adjustable from about 10" to about 15". This combination allows me to use the pod as a shoulder rest, like using a rifle. This adds a surprising mount of stability and is super portable. There is not as much support as a mono or tripod, but still way better than hand holding. The short pod I made from an old aluminum art tripod with the twist lock legs. Cuts down real easy and allows for adjustability with different lenses, addition of extenders and packability.

See below for an image of the setup used with my macro setup. I have a shorter one of these that I use for macro, since it attaches to the camera body, and a slightly longer (more adjustable) one that I use with telephotos for nature and wildlife photography. I apologize that it is not a super image. BTW, to attach the rest to the head, I half pressed then finished by screwing a pipe end-plug into the end. It was a very tight fit. I then drilled and tapped the fitting for a 3/8" bolt, added some teflon tape to the bolt and screwed it in, then cut off the head.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennisdietz/3649269444/sizes/o/

ishootsports3 wrote:
i know some people use heads, but i would advise against it unless you find that you need after using a monopod without


I use a small head with mine mainly for tilt ablity, and most pro level monopods have the larger stud for heads, won't fit into body and some lens feet.

90 5.0 wrote:
ishootsports3 wrote:
i know some people use heads, but i would advise against it unless you find that you need after using a monopod without


I use a small head with mine mainly for tilt ablity, and most pro level monopods have the larger stud for heads, won't fit into body and some lens feet.


in my experience the screw flips or its the manfrotto double thingy, like i said some people like em. a tilt head i see the merit of but a ball head just seems bulky to me personally

ishootsports3 wrote:
90 5.0 wrote:
ishootsports3 wrote:
i know some people use heads, but i would advise against it unless you find that you need after using a monopod without


I use a small head with mine mainly for tilt ablity, and most pro level monopods have the larger stud for heads, won't fit into body and some lens feet.


in my experience the screw flips or its the manfrotto double thingy, like i said some people like em. a tilt head i see the merit of but a ball head just seems bulky to me personally


giottos and a few other pod brands don't flip, unless i'm retarded and havent figured out how to flip mine.