A while ago we looked at the infamous monopod vs tripod debate, in fact it is one of our most read articles here on Digital SLR Guru. As a follow on, we’ve decided to take a look at some of the most popular monopods currently available and compare and contrast their benefits.
Before buying a monopod you’ll need to consider what your main uses of it will be. As with buying many photography accessories there are the usual trade offs between cost, performance, size and weight to consider. Below we’ve tried to pick the best three monopods available at three different price points.
Entry Level – Dolica WT-1003 
The Dolica WT-1003 monopod is aimed exactly at the budget end of the market. Designed to be ultra light weight (it weighs just under 400 grams) and is built from an aluminum alloy. Initially on sale for about $35, you can now pick them up on Amazon for under $20.
Upon picking this monopod up we were immediately impressed by the build quality. It certainly feels better quality than the low price point would indicate. When fully extended, the four telescopic sections reach about 1.6 meters in length and it stands on the ground securely with the help of the rubber foot.
In the box you get a little carry case for the monopod which is useful to avoid scratching other gear in a tightly packed camera bag. The handle is foam covered and has a handy wrist strap which proves useful as a safety device in case you let go by accident.
The big drawback of this pod compared to some of the higher end models we’ve looked at is the lack of adjustable head. As a result changing the composition of your shot involves either adjusting the extension height or tilting the monopod at an angle. As a result we often found ourselves either leaning slightly off balance (not great for avoiding camera shake) or compromising on composition.
If you’re looking for a cheap but effective monopod then with the current discounts this really is a great choice that provides exceptional value.
Mid Range – Manfrotto 682B
This nice little monopod from the ubiquitous Manfrotto is aimed squarely at the middle market. If you are looking for some basic functionality with great build quality that will last for year then this Manfrotto 682B might be what you are looking for. In fact I’ve got a friend that is still using the older version of this monopod nearly 10 years after he bought it.
The 3 sections (as opposed to the 4 on the Dolica) mean there is greater stability and more of a solid feel than the Dolica, weighing in at 1.1kg.
Extension ranges from 70cm to 1.7 meters providing more than enough height for most situations. Extra stability is added by the 3 flip down legs that lock into place. These little legs don’t look like they offer much but they offer a resistance point against which you can apply a very light pressure in order to maintain a rock steady position, helping you to avoid camera shake and benefit from sharper images.
The one downside we could find is that the little tripod legs rattle against the main stem when folded up though this could be easily resolved by adding some Velcro or rubber pads to the feet.
This is by far the best sub $100 monopod available at the minute. If you’ve spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your SLR and lenses then it seems a shame to scrimp on a cheap monopod. The 682B is a great starting point at under $100.
The Top End – Manfrotto 561 BHDV-1 Monopod
This is certainly not the cheapest monopod out there but the Manfrotto 561 BHDV-1 is a truly professional quality monopod. With most newer DSLRs now having the ability to shoot full HD video it is becoming increasingly important to maintain a steady frame.
Like the Dolica there are 4 leg sections though there much thicker on the Manfrotto. Weighing in at 1.9kg this monopod feels and behaves like a truly professional piece of kit. Fully extended you get a full 2 meters of pod to play with while fully closed it is a fraction over 75cm.
Where this pod really comes in to it’s own is the swivel head. The integrated bubble spirit level provide a useful reference point while the fluid tilt mechanism moves through a range from -60 to 90 degrees. What this means is you can easily and effortless achieve the slow, smooth pans that are required for professional looking video shots. Extra stability is provided by the 3 flip down feet at the base of the monopod.
This is perhaps the best monopod for weddings or other situations where you’re shooting a mixture of stills and video. As you’d expect it provides the panning capabilities of a high end tripod with the flexibility and portability of a monopod.
Retailing at a bit over $250 this is a serious bit of kit for serious photographers. While it may seem a lot for a monopod, the superior image quality you can achieve from a pod like this (especially if you’re shooting video) is well worth the extra investment. Check out the latest prices on Amazon…
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