Monopods

[blitz]

because I love wildlife photography and just wandering around the bush I was thinking of a monopod for the camera. Being an amputee I'm not as steady as I was with 2 legs (not bad though) so I was wondering if there are monopods made that are capable of being used as a walking staff?

[dmdigital]

Gitzo make two trekking pole/monopods but they are designed for only very light gear. I've looked at these and they are very good, but I wouldn't use it with a DSLR body on top with a reasonable lens as they only support 2kg. They are the only two I have found.

Link: http://www.gitzo.com/product_list/72038.71891.82461.0.0/monotrek_monopods

It would be possible to convert a Gitzo or Manfrotto monopod foot to a trekking base with a little thought. It is posible to get a spike for them (I have one for mine). The key to a good monopod is the head and the rigidity. As for the head the Really Right Stuff MH-01 is about the best or a small ball head like their BH25 or BH30. The rigidity is the usual problem of too thin a legs. I won't say too many sections is always an issue as I have just got a 6 section monopod and it is really solid.

As you are going to use this as a walking pole as well, I would look to a quick release lever clamp on the head and also - even though they are at the expensive end - the Gitzo leg system over a clamp system. The Gitzo twist locks are less prone to collaps.