Which Monopod

Hi All

I'm thinking of getting a new monopod, at the moment i've got a manfrotto 676B which i got as a freeby when i subcribed to Digital Camera Magazine. Its ok but a bit on the light side so i'm looking for something more sturdy. Your reccomendations would be most grateful.

I've had a Manfrotto 479B for a number of years and been impressed by it.

I have a Giotto MM5570 which is very good; it has a fluid head and is extermely rigid but quite heavy and comes witha case. I bought it for one job where I needed a tripod but more flexibility in tight places than 3 legs could give. I think this monopod is unique in that the foot unscrews and three little legs drop out which can screw in around the foot to make a very wobbly tripod or, and I kid you not, a microphone stand. Far more usefully two of them can screw in near the head and you can then lean the monopod against a solid object like a wall or lie it prone for low angle or macro work. I paid less than £50 from Aspens of Hereford which was quite a bit cheaper than Warehouse Express.

I must say i have also been looking at the Giotto MM5570 mainly because of the built in fluid head, but i am also interested in a manfrotto not sure which one though.

The fluid head is a real boon but having said that this is the only monopod I've owned

I've just noticed Aspens of Hereford has a Giottos 5570 for sale on E-Bay shall have to keep an eye on it. Does anyone know which Manfrotto model compares with it.

Uni-Lock The origonal makers of the Benbo make a rather large two piece heavy monopod which is like their tripod in that the bottom half is the larger diameter and is waterproof. Also there is an attachment which clamps to the bottom section which is a large platform on which to put your foot. you said you wanted somthig more sturdy, well they don't come any sturdier than this one. As to the top, I just use a ballhead although I wouldn't mind trying some sort of fluid head on both my tripod and monopod. CHEERS Vic

I 've been looking at the Giotto's range and i'm very impressed with them, might have to think again about the Manfrotto's.