I have used replacement shovel handles, a mop handle found on a beach, saplings plucked from a brush pile and trimmed, as well as a nice pair of adjustable Lekis. They have all worked quite well. The Lekis did have one advantage - with metric intervals on the shaft, they served quite nicely for archaeological record shots. DJT is right - you can spend as much or as little as you wish. They will all accomplish the objective.