Monopod Experience

[Mike H]

I recently purchased the Canon 70-200/4L lens, and I am really impressed with its build quality, focusing speed (for a long lens), and its image quality.

I'm considering buying a monopod to improve image sharpness at lower shutter speeds. Can someone who has used this lens or similar lenses tell me how much improvement they have experienced using monopods? I realize that technique (and hence, practice) will play a part in how much the monopod helps. but I am hoping someone can give me a rough estimate of how much improvement to expect. Should I be able to drop my shutter speeds one step? Two steps?

Any data from experienced monopd users would be appreciated.

Mike

[DaveG]

I recently purchased the Canon 70-200/4L lens, and I am really impressed with its build quality, focusing speed (for a long lens), and its image quality.

I'm considering buying a monopod to improve image sharpness at lower shutter speeds. Can someone who has used this lens or similar lenses tell me how much improvement they have experienced using monopods? I realize that technique (and hence, practice) will play a part in how much the monopod helps. but I am hoping someone can give me a rough estimate of how much improvement to expect. Should I be able to drop my shutter speeds one step? Two steps?

Any data from experienced monopd users would be appreciated.

Mike

I use a monopod all of the time with my 70-200 f2.8. As far as using it at slower shutterspeeds, especially with the zoom it's difficult to tell you that you specifically get a one or two stop (or more) improvement.

First I have no doubt that you do pick up improvement, but I can't quantify it. The second (and this is what a lot of IS users forget, at least at first) is that you still need fast shutterspeeds to freeze the action of your subjects. Even if your monopod, your IS, or even a tripod are allowing you very slow shutterspeeds it still won't stop that fast moving subject from blurring. I'm still going to shoot sports at 1/500 or faster shutterspeeds so camera shake isn't a particularly critical issue here

But what I am concerned about is the weight of the whole thing. A monopod will take the dead weight off of my arms and that's important and perhaps critical. Vince Lombardi once said that fatigue makes cowards of us all, and the fatigue caused by having to hold this mass to my eye is going to make me quit. And I may not even realize that I've quit. In any case I let the monopod hold this weight and then all I have to do is focus and zoom with the heavy lifting taken care of by a lowly pole, which is as it should be.

I don't know if you have the tripod collar on your lens - it comes with the 2.8 - but this allows you to flip from horizontal to vertical format with exceptional ease, and of course the weight of the lens won't stress out your camera's lens mount. If you don't have one get one, and if you have one, use it.

Finally I'd say that a monopod is a very useful tool and I'd highly recommend one.

[Mills]

I think a monopod is a great tool. My photos have improved since getting mine. At the very least, it will be easier on you physically. Do not assume that you will be able to shoot with extremely slow shutter speeds, however. While there is improvement, it is still not nearly as stable as a tripod.

[CoolToolGuy]

I bought my first monopod this year after years of photography. I previously hand-held, or used a tripod or a homemade chainpod. I got the monopod to do some theater work with available light, and it REALLY helped. I think the monopod has become a standard part of my kit for all of the projects with long lenses or low light. Prior to this I did not want to lug something like a monopod around, but it really is a valuable tool. :D

Get one with a good ball head, something that will allow you to control the tension, so you can move it if you want, but not have it flopping all over. :wink:

Hope this helps
Have Fun
Rick 8)

[aeroshots2003]

Which brand of monopod do you use? Gitzo, Manfrotto, Velbon,...

I'm also considering to buy such a tool one of these days. But I still question the movement one can do with it. For horizontal panning this tool seems a good deal (like in motorsports), but what about diagonal/vertical panning for action images? Seems a little more complicated since you have to work with both horizontal and vertical axis.


Johan

[DaveG]

Which brand of monopod do you use? Gitzo, Manfrotto, Velbon,...

I'm also considering to buy such a tool one of these days. But I still question the movement one can do with it. For horizontal panning this tool seems a good deal (like in motorsports), but what about diagonal/vertical panning for action images? Seems a little more complicated since you have to work with both horizontal and vertical axis.


Johan

I use a Manfroto monopod. Because it's pivoting on one point I find left to right pans (vertical OR horizontal) to be no problem. I correct composition by leaning the pod forward or back. Diagonal shooting should be no problem as you tilt the pod a bit while panning. No it isn't as fast as handholding but for most of what I do this give me stability and subsequently better pictures.

I would use a monpod with a ball head only if the lens didn't have a tripod collar. A tripod collar AND a ball head introduce an extra "joint" into the whole deal and I think that it'd be unstable; so no head at all is better -from my perspective - for those lenses. And it's the big heavy lenses that need the monopod the most, and they almost always come with a collar.

[aeroshots2003]

Hey DaveG,

which type of Manfrotto monopod do you have? Price?



Johan

[SnJPhoto]

As many of us have debated in the past, this model (Bogen 3245) seems to have a fair number of fans. I for one swear by it because of the ease of up/down adjustment.



http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5523&is=REG

[Bytes U]

I purchased the Manfrotto 449 (carbon one) monopod because I needed the extra height. I mounted a kirk quick release clamp on top to go with my lens ring plates. It makes a great combination for my intended use and gives me about 2 stops leeway on low light, still subjects.

[KennyG]

Which brand of monopod do you use? Gitzo, Manfrotto, Velbon,...

I use a Manfrotto 449 and also have a Gitzo 1568 MK2. The Manfrotto is easier to close up with its locking clamps than the Gitzo is with the twist locks.

However, I never use a monopod for motorsports other than with my 300 2.8L IS or 500 4L IS, as they can't easily be used hand-held. My 100-400L and 70-200 2.8L IS are only used hand-held as they are lightweight babies in comparison and a monopod is far too restrictive. I rarely shoot either of these faster than 1/350 and never have a problem with motion blur. A 70-200 4L is even more of a lightweight.

I never use quick release plates or any form of head, preferring to attach the monopod direct to the lens collar mount. There is less risk of it becoming detached when the lens is carried over my shoulder, holding monopod leg in front. A few too many thousand dollars to take risks, as well as it being less convenient.

If you are shooting something that does not move a lot or moves slowly, then a monopod is useful even with short lenses. For action sports, unless you are using a truly big lens, it just gets in the way.

[DaveG]

Hey DaveG,

which type of Manfrotto monopod do you have? Price?



Johan

I'm not sure of the model number. I got it about 15 years ago and it was the smaller of the two monopods that Manfroto sold at the time. I think that it cost me about $50 in Canada.

It's taller than my eye height with a camera mounted which is a very important feature. Otherwise you'll be bent over and have a very sore back. Other than that these things are just poles. Important, but poles.

[boBquincy]

I use a monopod for most shots when there is time, the added stability really helps. I carry a 3 oz monopod made of high stiffness aluminum tent poles. With either 4 or 5 sections (2 different models) it quickly collapses to about 15" and by folding up the lower section it is the right height for shooting when seated.

I stopped using the threaded mount and added a rubber piece to rest the lens on, it's much quicker to use that way and still works at least as well as the threaded version.


boB