Tripod or Monopod ?

[itswillist]

So I have 3 tripods for obvious reasons .. Does anyone have a preferance ? are monopods really that much more conveinant to deal with ? :rolleyes:

[primoz]

For sport? Definitely! I can't imagine myself shooting with tripod instead of monopod. For landscape? Definitely not!
But basicaly, even though they look similar, they are completely different thing. Monopod, for me at least, is for longer lenses (300/2.8, 400/2.8) so it's much easier to work with, and not so much for making it stable. With times around 1/1000 or less those vibrations doesn't really matter anyway. I don't remember I would I would be ever using monopod with something shorter then 300mm.
Tripod on the other side is to make your camera (and lens) stable. I usually use tripod when I go out and shoot landscape for fun and times are much longer. Another good thing with tripod is that it takes a bit longer, so you take more time to get shoot which means it's more "perfect" straight out of camera already. Not to mention it's much more clumsy to work with, especially when you have fast action around.
So... its for completely different thing, and you need to decide why you need it.

[jjonsalt]

Monopod is not only better for sports, it is better in all kinds of crowded environments. In fact, in many museums or art galleries the use of a tripod is forbidden but a monopod is not.

[rklepper]

Depends on the use. I use my monopod more than my tripod. It is essential if you are expecting to move during the shoot. I love to hike and shoot as I do so I use the mono. I also shoot my daughters sports and use the monopod also for that.

[Kenji]

My latest purchase is a Manfrotto 684B Neotec Pro Monopod.
I love it.. To extend, you simply pull. No clips or screws.. Then to adjust the height, squeeze the hand control. I don't use a tilt head, I screw the lens and camera securely to the head.
After a nasty experience with a previous Monopod, when the quick release malfunctioned and my camera and the heavy 70-200 L lens fell from shoulder height. . I now firmly attach my outfit to this robust monopod.

[wibbly]

Anybody use a tripod with one leg extended as a 'monopod'?

W

[CyberDyneSystems]

Both ...

[Steve Parr]

Honest question: What are the "obvious reasons" for having three tripods?

I've got a "standard" size tripod, a little desk-top tripod, and monopod...

Stteve

[rklepper]

Anybody use a tripod with one leg extended as a 'monopod'?

W

I have, but just once when the monopod was at home, I had the tripod, and needed a monopod. Worked, but was just a little awkward.

[mrcoons]

In addition to my tripod I have a Bogen 682 monopod. The optional feet are very handy for keeping the monopod in place and allows me to take my hands off the camera for a few seconds. I also use it with my video camera. http://mrcoons.smugmug.com/photos/32681860-L.jpg

[SYS]

I use my Manfrotto 3245 monopod all the time when not handheld. It doesn't get in the way, it doesn't draw as much attention as the tripod, it holds the weight of my 70-200 (justified my not going the IS route!), and I use it as a walking stick when hiking (and perhaps as a defense weapon just in case...) If you do get one, make sure to get one that you can easily adjusts the height by a simple squeeze of the trigger.