I have the manfrotto 479-4 (silver). I don't have a head to use with it. It has been invaluable for use with my Tokina 80-200/2.8 ATX-Pro, both standing (agility) and seated (conformation). I was shooting with that lens all day solidly for three days back in May and I wouldn't have been able to handhold the lens for that length of time without the monopod. The manfrotto is a nicely made monopod and it wasn't expensive at all about $70CDN (I think)
Wendy --- Wendy Beard Ottawa, Canada mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] home page http://www.beard-redfern.com
