Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod - Supports 33 lb (15 kg)

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

I have used the giottos monopod for several years. It is a great to have when using a long lens, especially in tight places. I took it to my granddaughters, dance recital. I was able to seat in my seat and take great pictures in low light. The height is great, I was also able to stand in the back and take pictures without worrying about people trapping over a leg.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

I bought the Giottos monopod to replace a Slik monopod that gave to my daughter. Using a 500mm lens on the Slik just didn't quite stay as stable as I wanted. No sooner had I given her the monopod that I had occasion to need a monopod for a nature photography seminar. I quickly went to B&H to find a replacement.
The Giottos monopod is a joy to use. It is much more stable than what I had previously used. The swivel foot is very steady in the field and the twist adjustment is every bit as fask as the clamp on my other pod. I also bought a Manfroto tilt head to go with it as the Giottos ball heads that I investigated were a bit pricier than I wanted at that moment.
I have no reservations about recommending this monopod.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

First Time Purchase for this type equipment. Completed fair amount of product comparisons. Primary use is wild life and landscape photograph. First time use was at Daytona Speedway. Easily transported-compact & light. Great stability with my Canon 7D and 400MM. Single-twist section locks are best; No creep during use. Carbon fiber is stronger but under "average" use this unit is the best value. [...]Highly recommend.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

I'm a videographer currently working on a lot of quick and dirty hand-held video interviews. This monopod is brilliant. It packs down to carry-on luggage size, extends to eye level height (for someone 6'), and is lightweight for the sturdy build. Twisting releases are what you want and these are solid and easy to use. This monopod works brilliantly with the Manfroto swivel/tilt monopod tripod head. Great combination for quick release and lock down. I highly recommend it if you are on the move but also need a way to have some additional camera support for tilts and pans.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

So far we have used the monopod at our grand daughters soccer games and the Christmas programs at our church. We have been very pleased. It really helps stabilize the camera while we're walking around. The only drawback is that the camera can't be tilted. But it isn't enough of a problem to stop using it. I will probably buy the attachment for easily attaching the camera.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

Great for sports photography. Good height. Sturdy. Fanastic foot at the bottom that remains flat on the ground yet allows the monopod to "swivel" around while panning and tilting. Great product.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

This is a very well built monopod. It is very thick and sturdy. Sections lock very nicely and quick. I use it with my Nikon D90 and 18-200 lens and it can hold so much more. Good for travel.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

This pod is well-build, and well-designed. I use it in a wide range of situations with my 5Dmk2. I put a ballhead on it, and the bag that comes with it has room for both the pod and the ballhead. I carry it in the included bag strapped to the side of my Tenba Sling bag. It provides great stability, though of course not as much as a tripod.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

Looks and feels like a quality unit. Has high load rating - yet quite light. Much better than a poorer quality carbon fibre monopod I have and little weight penalty for the increased quality and function of the leg section clamps.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

Simple design, well constructed. Perfect for quick deployment situations, in tight spaces, or where you just need a little more stability for your shot.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

Solid support and sturdy construction. Good basic monopod.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

Easy to use, strong, light weight and well constructed. If you are looking for a Pro-Monopod at a reasonable price this is the one. Actually, I'm not sure how I got by the past 20 years without a monopod. It really improves the quality of the fast action sports photography shots. A full tripod works slightly better but makes it harder to take those quick "in action" shots. My new rule ...if the 80-200 is mounted the so is the monopod. Therefore, I now carry it in my gear bag and use it for just about everything.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

I use this primarily for shooting sporting events and also as a carry-along for hiking trips (just in case). The best feature is the twist-lock leg sections; unlike cheaper monopods, the legs themselves do not have to be held still while turning the lock because the legs sections sit in a groove that prevents them from moving. The insulated grip is also very nice for colder events.

My only concerns are with the bottom section. First, the bottom section seems particularly weak compared to the rest but that may be "as expected" for a 5 section monopod. Second, the footing on the bottom seems very weak; I don't expect it to last much longer before it falls off.

All in all, I would still recommend this to anyone looking at a monopod in this price range.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

Well designed, sturdy, compact, correct price point.
"Twist release" adjusters are the only way to go.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

Lightweight and compact. Still a fraction too long for the average backpack though.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

Sturdy, easy to operate/adjust.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

I use this new monopod for outdoor shots. I was getting a slight blurring from movement. This has helped tremndously. It is lightweight and comes with its own carry case.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

This mono is big, fat, very rugged, and high quality. It seems like you could use it for a house-jack in the basement when you're not out shooting. The feel of the twist-locks is super-smooth. Also, I like the rubber grip.
I only wish that I could remove the hand-strap sometimes... it makes a slight noise when it moves, which in some circumstances could be an audio problem.

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

Very light monopod, even though it is not a composite material that would cost much more.
Legs are easily extended to desired height.
I am very pleased with this latest purchase!

Comments about Giottos MM 9160 5-Section Monopod:

This is my first monopod, and I'm proud of the choice I made. It been perfect for sport or high speed photographs, even for evening or night time pictures. I've used it for landscapes, photographing storm clouds and lightning, and for sports pictures too. None of the pictures have come out bad, unless by my own error. One thing I do not like about it is that the foot pivots too easily. I guess that is a good thing, but not if you want to use it for long exposure scenes, or if you need the camera to be completely and perfectly still. Because the foot will allow the monopod to move with the slightest touch. Other than that I have no real complaint about it, and I wouldn't trade it for another.