Monopods or tripods??

Hi all, I was told that for wildlife, which is what I like doing, it could be worth looking at a tripod or monopod. I have never used a monopod but am always keen to try something new. However I am not keen on the idea of folding away the legs on a tripod every time you leave a hide because it tkaes too long and you always end up missing something outside. I know this as i have a scope for when I am not after photos. What would be the best thing that i could buy for a price range of around £30-£50 ( i might be able to increase a little). I have a Sigma 170-500mm on borrowed terms at the moment and am looking a similar sized (and weight wise) lens. What is best? Thanks Matt P.S. I might use it aswell for lower light photography outdoors and as a waliking pole every now and then!!

Hi all,
I was told that for wildlife, which is what I like doing, it could be worth looking at a tripod or monopod. I have never used a monopod but am always keen to try something new.

However I am not keen on the idea of folding away the legs on a tripod every time you leave a hide because it tkaes too long and you always end up missing something outside. I know this as i have a scope for when I am not after photos.

What would be the best thing that i could buy for a price range of around £30-£50 ( i might be able to increase a little). I have a Sigma 170-500mm on borrowed terms at the moment and am looking a similar sized (and weight wise) lens. What is best?

Thanks
Matt

P.S. I might use it aswell for lower light photography outdoors and as a waliking pole every now and then!!

I have the same lens. This lens is not light in weight. These come with a bracket on the lens to attach your tripod too. I dont think a monopod would be ideal as you are not attaching the camera to the monopod. i personally would stick to the tripod with this lens. I know where you are coming from about the legs on the tripod. myself i leave it all attached to the tripod and just balance the lot over my shoulder.But thats me. I do own a monopod and use it with a smaller lens on it.........Tony

I have the same lens. This lens is not light in weight. These come with a bracket on the lens to attach your tripod too. I dont think a monopod would be ideal as you are not attaching the camera to the monopod. i personally would stick to the tripod with this lens. I know where you are coming from about the legs on the tripod. myself i leave it all attached to the tripod and just balance the lot over my shoulder.But thats me. I do own a monopod and use it with a smaller lens on it.........Tony

Going by what you've said you'll need both. Hide work is much easier with a tripod and if you want to do low light stuff a tripod will be more useful. Monopds are great too though but are used in different applications. I use mine when I'm out and about as opposed to sitting in a hide and it adds a bit more support but a tripod gives the optimum support. With regards to prices you budget is limiting and if you want decent kit (as in kit that'll hold a big lens and kit that will last) then you'll be best with a monopod. A decent tripod will set you back £100-150ish and a decent monopod will be £40 (Manfrotto 680 or 681B). At the same time you can spend £600 on a tripod and £300 on a monopod. There is little or no point in buying a cheap tripod as it may break and it may not suit your needs in 6 months time. I have had 3 tripods. First one was £20 from Jessops and lasted not very long before I broke it. I then bought a Manfrotto 055 which was great but heavy. Last year I upgraded to a Gitzo carbon fibre pod and its the best I have ever used and will not need replacing. Monopod wise I use a Manfrotto 681B but I am looking to replace that with a Gitzo in the near future. Neil

Going by what you've said you'll need both.

Hide work is much easier with a tripod and if you want to do low light stuff a tripod will be more useful.

Monopds are great too though but are used in different applications. I use mine when I'm out and about as opposed to sitting in a hide and it adds a bit more support but a tripod gives the optimum support.

With regards to prices you budget is limiting and if you want decent kit (as in kit that'll hold a big lens and kit that will last) then you'll be best with a monopod.

A decent tripod will set you back £100-150ish and a decent monopod will be £40 (Manfrotto 680 or 681B).

At the same time you can spend £600 on a tripod and £300 on a monopod.

There is little or no point in buying a cheap tripod as it may break and it may not suit your needs in 6 months time.

I have had 3 tripods. First one was £20 from Jessops and lasted not very long before I broke it. I then bought a Manfrotto 055 which was great but heavy. Last year I upgraded to a Gitzo carbon fibre pod and its the best I have ever used and will not need replacing.

Monopod wise I use a Manfrotto 681B but I am looking to replace that with a Gitzo in the near future.

Neil

Hi, The 170-500mm lens doesn't have a tripod collar, thing so i have to screw it into the camera. However if I were to buy a new lens (as I have only borrowed the lens) then i might need to have a look. I will have a look at the Gitzo and Manfrotto and see what the prices are like. How good are Gitzo monopods and tripods? Thanks Matt

Hi,
The 170-500mm lens doesn't have a tripod collar, thing so i have to screw it into the camera. However if I were to buy a new lens (as I have only borrowed the lens) then i might need to have a look.

I will have a look at the Gitzo and Manfrotto and see what the prices are like. How good are Gitzo monopods and tripods?

Thanks
Matt

GItzo stuff is the best on the market and is priced as such. You're looking at a £500 tripod. Have a look at the Manfrotto 190 and 055 ranges as they are much cheaper and suit most peoples needs.

GItzo stuff is the best on the market and is priced as such. You're looking at a £500 tripod.

Have a look at the Manfrotto 190 and 055 ranges as they are much cheaper and suit most peoples needs.

I have a bracket round the lens so that it can attach onto the tripod which in turn gives it good balance in return if you know what i mean. I use a monfrotto 680 monopod which could carry an elephant. a friction ball head for it. The tripod i use is a velbon cx660. Its light has a spirit level on it and can carry a heavy camera. All this around a 100 notes and with change i bet.....Tony

I have a bracket round the lens so that it can attach onto the tripod which in turn gives it good balance in return if you know what i mean. I use a monfrotto 680 monopod which could carry an elephant. a friction ball head for it. The tripod i use is a velbon cx660. Its light has a spirit level on it and can carry a heavy camera. All this around a 100 notes and with change i bet.....Tony

Thanks for the info om the monopod and tripod. I will have a look at both Gitzo and Manfrotto.# Thanks Matt

Thanks for the info om the monopod and tripod. I will have a look at both Gitzo and Manfrotto.#
Thanks
Matt

[quote]What would be the best thing that i could buy for a price range of around £30-£50 [/quote] Second hand Benbo Mk 1 (not the Trekker) or (sometimes at the same price) a Mk 2. They are tough, support heavy lenses well, though there is a special knack to setting them up. I am not aware of anything with similar rigidity under £200 new. Sometimes you can find them in charity shops for £30. Ffordes with a 6 month warranty are about £70.

Quote:What would be the best thing that i could buy for a price range of around £30-£50

Second hand Benbo Mk 1 (not the Trekker) or (sometimes at the same price) a Mk 2. They are tough, support heavy lenses well, though there is a special knack to setting them up. I am not aware of anything with similar rigidity under £200 new.
Sometimes you can find them in charity shops for £30. Ffordes with a 6 month warranty are about £70.