Manfrotto Xpro Monopod+, 5 sections, Aluminum

Love it!! Versatile and dependable. It’s sturdy but lightweight. Great for field work or portrait photography.

Though this unit is a little heavy, it's very well built. The handle is solid rubber with flat sides that makes it easy to grip. Panning is silky smooth and i love the ability to flip down the legs to steady it while i'm filming. I paired this with a Desmond DB-44 ball head, which is perfect for this monopod.Pluses: Smaller than most monopods, and flip locks need very little travel, to opening and closing them can be done quickly and easily.Cons: Even though there's a metal collar at the bottom that locks the monopod and prevents it from moving in all directions, there's still slight wobble to the monopod with it locked and legs extended. If the collar was more robust, that would make it more study (if you place a heavy camera on the monopod, it will lean just slightly because there's not enough support at that collar joint).Note: even with it locked, you CAN rotate the monopod left or right - there's no way to lock down the panning on it (though i have no problem with that)If you want a case for it, get the Slik Tripod Case 24-Inch Medium, which fits it perfectly with a half inch to spare, if you use a ball head with it. Overall a great monopod. If the carbon fiber version wasn't so much more expensive, i'd definitely get that, as it's a pound lighter, but i'm happy with this unit so far.

Purchased this for a couple wedding gigs I had lined up. It is fantastic! It's super light weight and easy to get around with on set. I even replaced my regular tripod with this because of how portable and efficient this monopod is!Depending on the camera you place on this monopod it's pretty sturdy. I have tried both the SonyA7IV & SonyA6500, both are pretty study on the monopod. I can leave it with the camera and not worry about it tipping. Obviously once you had more stuff to the rig and if there are harsh winds, it is pretty dangerous to just leave it alone. Tbh if those are the shooting conditions, you either bring a tripod or just stand next to the monopod while recording!Highly recommend to anyone that needs and on the go type of monopod.

I am using this Manfrotto monopod for still photography.This would have received a 5-star review if I used the fluid base stand-foot. (See below)I am a bird, wildlife, and nature photographer. I have been using this Manfrotto monopod constantly since I purchased it in December 2022. I wanted something sturdy light and easy to carry in the field for my long lenses so that I did not need to dissemble a tripod to use it's "removable monopod leg".I am 6'1" tall. Maximum length is an important consideration for me. There is length to spare with this monopod. The Manfroto web site lists the maximum weight capacity at just over 44Lbs, not the 18 Lbs. listed in the description above.I did remove the stand-foot and installed a rubber foot. This made for better mobility, turning when panning while following moving animals and birds in flight. The stand-foot was too restrictive when open and extra weight when closed, which turned out to bee all the time, so I removed it.I use this Manfrotto monopod when shooting either my Nikon D7200 or my Nikon D850 and an 800mm f/5.6E Nikkor prime lens. This lens, and either camera frame, are a very heavy combination and I trust the Manfroto monopod completely. The flip-clamps are quick, very secure, and the tension is adjustable if needed. I am using the Wimberly MH-100 MonoGimble head on the monopod and just love it. It is light, supremely strong and secure, and simplistic in design and use. You can view the Wimberly MonoGimble here… . It is worth googling YouTube videos for this monopod gimble, particularly the one from Steve Perry.If you are looking for a non-video monopod (without the fluid base stand-foot) you might want to look for the Manfrotto MPMXPROA4(US). It might save you a few bucks if the stand-foot ends up just sits in a bag never used.All said, I do not think that you can go wrong with this monopod. I didn’t.

Lightweight, fast, tall, and the fluid base is a must. If you do happen to purchase the fluid base, beware of blindly reaching down to fold and unfold the legs. There were some metal shards or splinters near the latch for the locking legs or the swivel lock that weren’t removed during the manufacturing process maybe. I cut my finger on something down there twice during the first 48 hours of owning it, and I wasn’t grabbing it in a weird spot or anything. But anyway, my injuries weren’t the monopod’s fault, and I’m standing by it until the end. Some may say I’m crazy, some may call it abuse, but I call it…… “love.”

Though somewhat pricy, Manfrotto products are durable, and work well.I have three monopods, and purchased this aluminum monopod as a quick replacement for my carbon fiber monopod I foolishly forgot at the airport. (No one has turned that monopod in!)This has a heavier load capacity, and I use a full frame mirrorless camera on it without fear.WARNING: it is a monopod. Hold on to your camera at all times.That said, this monopod works very well.

This monopod relies on a small aluminum threaded bolt to attach the base to the monopod. This has snapped on 2 different units we have purchased. We did make regular use of these - both aluminum and carbon fiber - and both broke in the exact same place. Once this one broke I took it apart only to discover the entire load is transferred down to the base on this 4 mm bolt made from aluminum. A joint like this should be more resilient at this cost point in my opinion.I have reached out to Manfrotto in an effort to get a new bolt - 3 attempts - no response.Be aware if you plan to purchase and make heavy use - your base may snap off from the monopod.