Monopods

[gturner]

Any suggestions on a monopod to hold anything up to a 1D + 300 2.8? Manfroto range is the best option in my area.
Light / strong and easy to pack would be the key points. (and price)

[RichardTaylor]

I own two Manfroto mono pods and use them a lot for motor sport.
A 679B and a 681B (These two are not light).
I do not use a head.

Just a couple of tips.
If shooting standing up make sure it is tall enough so you don't have to bend your neck to look through the camera viewfinder. It can be a real pain.

Leg flip locks work best for me, as twist locks (I had a monopod with these) can be very difficult to grip when the monopod or your hands are wet.

[gturner]

thanks Richard.
Why no head? I am guessing because you are pretty level with the cars and you are not chasing birds at all angles

[RichardTaylor]

Mostly used with a Canon 100-400 with a tripod collar so I can rotate the lens if need be.
Also the main reason is not for stability but to take the weight off your arms on those long 8 and sometimes 12 hour shoots.

When I want to track a fast moving subject, like panning, I will be shooting hand held.

I also use it to occasionally shoot wilds birds, mostly in urban areas. However if I a bird is high in a tree or in flight I will be most likely hand holding. If I was shooting with a big heavy lens I would try to get get the tallest monopod possible and put a ball head on it, especially for those steep up into the "sky" shots.


Some examples of when I wasn't on a monopod. These are all wild birds.
(1) High in a tree (f=225mm), fairly close to me, in a suburban park


(2) At a local duckpond (5 min walk from home) f=400mm


larger versions on my flickr stream.