Monopod - Slik 350 EX

Looking for a monopod, for occasional use with my Tamron 500mm mirror lens, and when hiking. As it won't be used an awful lot, I don't want to spend a fortune. At the same time I don't want something that'll fall to bits straight away. Was looking at this, which is on "special"

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/4366/Slik-350-EX-Monopod-with-3-Way-Head---SPEC...

Anybody got experience with this or something in a similar price range?

mmmmm also seen this http://www.parkcameras.com/15881/Manfrotto-MN-681-Professional-Monopod---HD234.h...

Well it certainly is lightweight, which I know is important when hiking, but I can't help but feel that it won't be sufficiently robust or stable to meet your needs, particularly when extended.

I have a model from higher up in their range (Pro Pod 600: link) with a Velbon QHD-51Q ball head with quick release plate (link) which I keep as a 'spare', having upgraded to a carbon fibre Manfrotto. Apart from the middle section of the monopod being a 'little stiff',both are in very good condition and I would be happy to negotiate a 'sale or return' (less postage) price with you if you're interested.

Jon

Take a look at the well-known 7-Day Shop.
Provided you don't want one that doubles as a walking pole, there should be a choice at under £15.
If all you are going to hang on it is a relatively lightweight mirror lens (on a body of course) then the weight should not be a problem. My MTO 500 f8 mirror might be a problem - but then you really need two hands to lift it out of it's fitted box. My K-mount Vivitar (same spec) is a "one finger and a thumb" job in comparison.
Geoff

Slik seem to make decent gear, I haven't handled that particular model but I have an ancient lightweight tripod and a current "Mini Pro" tripod which are well made.

Annoyingly 7dayshop seem to have stopped selling the monopod I bought from them a while ago, which is brilliant. Light, extends to my height, has a retractable spike and doubles as a walking pole for scrambling up and down gnarly rocky bits where you want a bit more reassurance that you're not going to end up lying on top of what used to be your camera!

Given your stated needs a model from the Trek Tech Range might suit best. Further details can be found here link

They are more expensive but might be your best option. They start at around £70.00 and are widely available in the U.K. E.g. link

Good luck with your search.

Jon

Thanks for the offer John, together with your advice. Also to Geoff and Matt. Unfortunately, I'm getting myself more confused just now. Seen the cheap ones on Amazon and at 7dayshop. Then slightly more expensive, but still cheap like Redsnapper. The Gittos range also get good reviews.

I've looked at Carbon Fibre Manfrotto 694C.

I'm thinking do I buy cheap (almost disposable), in case a monopod is not for me. Or do I pay for something more substantial, as the cheap ones themselves may put me off.

Guess I'll have to think a bit more.

Be good to hear any further thoughts. For instance Redsnapper generally seem to have a bit of a following on here

Cheap monopods do exactly what is expected - they fall apart....at least all those I have tried have.

I never could get much out of a monopod. Fair enough, it stops up and down movement, but forwards, backwards, sideways it wobbles about...

So for occasional use I no longer even think of a monopod, but use a photographic hiking stick instead. The one I have is the Trailwise Photoshoot 7075. There's no ball and socket head as standard, but it would be possible to carry one easily enough. The fitting is a standard tripod screw, concealed beneath the wooden top.

Me too.


Walking poles (especially two, ski-stylee) always strike me as being much more of an annoyance than a help, but I have a Leki with a tripod screw on it, and I use it with my Slik AF2100 on it occasionally.

Not only do they seem to be used in completely inappropriate situations (I've seen people walking along a former railway trackbed with them, looking utter wallies!) but they also do a lot of damage to trails. The problem is that the spiked ends make holes, which then fill with water and freeze. This breaks the ground up and speeds erosion.

I do use my monopod for a bit of extra stability when scrambling over gnarly ground but aside from that it's generally over my shoulder.

i have just got a redsnapper tripod and i am more than happy with it and they also do a mono. http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/Monopod_Mini_Ball_Head.html#a39