A surprisingly high quality monopod, solid, sturdy and comfortable to use. Could also be a walking stick! :)
I find myself shooting more and more video with my cameras. While with the advent of modern optical image stabilization, handheld video can be of very high quality, holding a camera (and particularly a not-particularly-lightweight DSLR) still for any amount of time becomes tiring, and the video will suffer as a result.Hauling around a full-size tripod is tiring and a hassle. This monopod is the perfect answer. Your camera quickly attaches to the top, you extend the telescopic leg to the required height, and you have perfectly stable video without the fatigue of holding your camera in place.The leg itself is made of hollow aluminum with three friction locks to lock the individual telescoping pieces in place. Once locked, it is very sturdy, with no movement of any kind. You can adjust the overall length to any height you wish - it locks into position once you extend it to the height you desire.The thick foam grip allows you to easily control steady, smooth panning motion, and you can do a bit of tilt as well by pushing the monopod forward or back. I did purchase a small ball joint adapter to screw to the top, which allows the camera to move independently of the monopod when more flexibility is required.The foot of the monopod is rubber, and the rubber foot can be screwed in, exposing a metal point, good for use on slippery surfaces such as ice.While useful for shooting steady video, it is also excellent for shooting in low light with slow shutter speeds where any movement turns the picture blurry, or for long telephoto shots where slight camera movement can introduce blur into the picture.Some people have reported problems with the threaded screw at the top coming loose and not being able to remove the camera, I have not experienced this issue.The monopod comes with a fitted carrying bag with an attached shoulder strap. Once collapsed, measuring around 18 inches long, you can put it in the bag, sling it over your shoulder and pretty much forget it's there.I haven't tried it, but looking at the solid foot (and metal spike) as well as the thick foam grip, I've thought more than once that it could also function as a walking stick. So if you're looking for an inexpensive, light, portable walking stick, perhaps this might be an option.Overall a good purchase, I'm glad I bought it - and my videos are much better for it!
