hahaha yeah.. monopods work WONDERS and I second you on the $2k lens... im lusting after one at the moment and its WAAAY outta my price range. I might put aside some of my money from this summer instead of getting a coffee every morning before work and get myself a nice lens.. I'm working off of one ATM and stealing others from my mom when I'm home *L* I think i might try to run away to school with her 17-200mm sigma and see if she notices LOL