Ultimate Monopod Review & Buying Guide

Over a dozen Monopods Compared - From $60 to $850!

Tripods Shown

PRIVACY and DISCLOSURE:
* Matt Granger is a participant in the B&H Photo Video affiliate program that provides an advertising commission if you purchase through our links.
* If you purchase something from our affiliate links will get a small commission with no extra cost to you.

TIMELINE
00:00 Intro
00:55 Iceland
01:32 3LT Alana
05:19 PAYBOO
05:51 GITZO
08:57 GVM
12:20 iFootage Cobra
15:51 Manfrotto
19:48 Manfrotto XL
21:23 OBEN
24:00 ProMediaGear
28:15 ReallyRightStuff
32:29 Nikon Setup Guide
32:55 ROBUS
35:47 Sirui
40:04 Sirui Tiny
42:00 WIMBERLY HEAD
43:25 RRS Head
44:45 Oben Head
45:35 Manfrotto Head
46:15 Conclusions

PRIVACY and DISCLOSURE:
* Matt Granger is a participant in the B&H Photo Video affiliate program that provides an advertising commission if you purchase through our links.
* If you purchase something from our affiliate links will get a small commission with no extra cost to you.

[bayricker]

Love how you open the bag of little tools over the sewer grate. You live a charmed life.

[malmedia]

10:53 knowing Matt's propensity for dropping gear, I was just waiting for something to fall into the grate. 🤣

[mosfear]

Thanks for posting. Clearly a lot of effort went into making this. A very comprehensive review. Much appreciated.

[gordonmcintosh]

I have been using the Wimberley head on a Sirui CF monopod for years and as you say, once you get used to it it's absolutely fine. One other benefit aside from the gimbal action is the ability to sling the camera & lens over your shoulder the weight being spread nicely. If you need to use both hands for something, it just balances on your shoulder. Steve Perry has a video on it if you are interested.

[vidthreenorth]

An excellent review. I'll have to re-watch it a few times to remember everything you covered!

[cwarren]

I've been using a Manfrotto 290 aluminum for years and it has served me well. I have a Vanguard 300 head when needed. Although the head is a bit heavy, it's adjustability makes up for it.

[musiqueetmontagne]

Thanks for the reviews Matt, very useful actually. The ultra tall mono/tri pods are great on steep mountain slopes etc.. Thanks for uploading this..😊

[logskidder]

A friend dumped the LensCoat from her monopod during a field trip on the Maine coast. I borrowed it and found that it provided just the right amount of padding to protect my shoulder while lugging a camera with big lenses along a rugged section of coast. After seeing how well the padding worked, she asked for the LensCoat for the return hike which really saved her shoulder. I have sense DIYed versions for my mono and several tripods.

[danpsharpe]

Great comparison Matt! I ended up going with a ProMediaGear TR42MX / standard mount and the Wimberley MH-100. The thick leg is more comfortable slinging a big lens over your shoulder. And the Wimberley is the only one in your comparison that you can balance like a gimbal which is essential. You get used the side mount pretty quick 😂

[frstesiste]

Thanks for the review. Very timely for me as I've just started looking for a monopod. One comment "in defense" of the small Manfrotto plates (200PL) - the small ring for tightening is super convenient IMO. On most Arca-Swiss compatible plates I need a coin or tool to tighten the screw - with the 200PL I don't, but I might have to take off a glove.

[dougsturgess]

Very helpful review comparing multiple current models. Thank you.

[mdturnerinoz]

I have the iFootage Cobra2 (and the Cobra 3 on order). I shoot Canon R5 (RGB), R6 (IR), and Panasonic G9M2. I will definitely check out the 3LT for a backup monopod. Great video; thanks!

[bobmorse]

A great review. I've used a heavy, expensive Gitzo for years, with just a Really Right Stuff Arca clamp on the top. I use Really Right Stuff heads on my Gitzo tripods and have always craved RRS tripods, but just too much money. Thanks for sharing your observations.

[UnconventionalReasoning]

The ProMediaGear monopod has an Arca-type clamp. A comparable Really Right Stuff clamp, the B2-FAB, is $75 USD. Putting that on the RRS monopod brings the total to $520, much closer to the ProMediaGear and Gitzo options.

I have had the RRS head for a few years, it was significantly less expensive before. It is very useful when swiveling up and down quickly is important. I use it for volleyball photography, so it is tilted up when the player is hitting the ball and down when digging.

Used Gitzo and RRS gear are often great deals, since there is little risk of anything eventually going wrong, I use it a little, soon after buying it, and if it works in the first hour, it will work for a decade and longer.

The Manfrotto plate should never be used for long lenses, it will rotate in the most annoying ways unless everything is perfectly balanced. The foot for long lenses typically has two screw holes, and a good Arca-Swiss plate will have two screws, preventing rotation. After dealing with this on a 3-day trip, before I knew about Arca-Swiss, I quickly got educated. Now, whenever possible, I replace the lens foot with a RRS version which includes the dovetail.

[tmartin]

I've been using the RRS Monopod and Head for years shooting football, and it is perfect for active use. However, I use the ifootage when I'm stationary, such as seated shooting a ballet performance.

[TravelerNick]

The Ifootage stuff is really aimed at video. They tend to have a package with their small fluid head but even without a head you can pan and level the thing.

While I wouldn't dare leave it standing with a 400mm and that head of yours but with a shorter lens it's actually stable enough by itself.

[Neopulse]

I appreciate you using the gloves. Feels far more realistic the testing because of it.

That GVM monopod reminds me of the iFootage a lot.

[robertgrenader]

I have the RRS Monopod and Head; I purchased it to shoot Elephant Seals on the California coast. Provided the stability I needed. Now, however, having a monopod with a three-legged base gives an entirely new level of adaptability.

[waveland]

I’ve ordered the iFootage Cobra Strike monopod because of the one handed extend/collapse function. We will have to see how it goes in terms of build quality and all but for the light carry, run and gun video uses I have in mind, I think it might be ideal.

[andrewcabiso]

Promediagear all the way! Thanks, Matt for the review.