Monopods

I will soon be on a trip where the main photographic interest will be wildlife - seals, walrus, polar bear, foxes, birds, shooting either from the deck of a boat or from mud / shingle / snow covered ground. Which monopod would members recommend as the best compromise between weight, ease of set-up and price? Thank you in advance.

I jus got one of these Benro Carbon Monopod to replace my old aluminium manfrotto, and would recommend it, it's light and sturdy and packs down quite small.

i think one off the crutial points is how much you want to spendas there are lots out there

Manfrotto 679B for me, had many good years use from mine coupled with a 234RC head, can be had for around £50 from various stores.

I use a Giotto carbon fibre monopod with a twist lock which somehow means that locking/unlocking one section doesn't do the same to the others if you see what I mean. Very light and rigid, used with a simple Manfrotto monopod head (Manfrotto now own Giotto and regard it as their premium range).

I have a "3 Legged Thing" monopod link
Very nicely engineered, not too heavy and seems pretty robust. I'm happy to recommend it.

Manfrotto distribute Gitzo, not Giotto. Sorry, shouldn't add meaningful posts after a couple of glasses of red!

I've got one of these. Can't fault it https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sirui-P-424-Monopod-L-10X-Tilting/dp/B006JZ7RR4/ref=sr_...

Must admit I have been looking at one of those for my FA* 250-600mm.

Has it been out the case yet

Seriously Mike, its top quality. Nice head with it too. More robust than the Manfrotto heads

EDIT: Having said that, the Gitzo tripod took some getting used to. And I use that more often now. Mainly because it suits the situation. If I were following animals around like at the rut in the autumn, it'd be the monopod everytime. But standing in one position like you maybe do at an airshow, get a tripod. You can rest your arms.

One point I found is that it is easier to attach a camera or lens to a threaded head connection on a monopod head than using a quick release plate, and as you can leave it attached whilst walking around the quick release has less advantage anyway.

I'll have you know my shot count with it is now into double figures.

I bought a decent tripod and gimble but if I'm totally honest I just can't be arsed to carry it around even though on the odd occasion (ok, the only occasion ... ok, when I first got it) I used it the photos were a good deal sharper.

I Lost me. I walk around with my 560mm attached to a QR plate on a monopod. That's why I use it. If I couldn't it'd stay on a tripod.The QR plate also allows me to adjust the angle of view while keeping the monopod vertical. And the QR plate allows you to adjust the position of the lens to suit the centre of gravity which is different depending on the camera and whether or not its gripped.

I meant an adjustable monopod head with a screw thread rather than with a QR plate. I just found it fiddly holding a heavy lens/body combination in one hand and getting the QR plate to engage properly with the other, especially if you have to hold the safety catch open with your thumb at the same time. A QR plate is much easier as a two handed operation on a tripod.

Got you Rob. I normally have my 560mm in the boot, when I attach it using the arca swiss plate. You'd have difficulty using this on a monopod without an extending plate. Inexplicably, the centre of gravity is further back than the threaded holes on the foot