Tripod? Monopod? Both?

[SoundsGood]

Tripod? Monopod? Both?

When would you use a Monopod over a Tripod? And when would you use a Tripod over a Monopod? Lastly, do you need both?

For me, this would be for personal use only. Typical family shots, maybe some sports shots of my 5 year old son (soccer, etc).

Any suggestions of particular units to buy? Nothing too expensive, obviously, since it's not for pro use.

Thanks!

[Jon]

Monopod - when using a long lens for extended periods of time, with medium-ish exposures (anything from 1/60-1/f.l.).

Tripod - when not moving around too much and needing long exposure or precise framing control. There are nuances, but that's the basic criteria.

[PacAce]

Each has its specific uses. I have and use both depending on the situation. For example, for landscapes, panos and exposure bracketing, I use a tripod. I also use a tripod for shooting birds with my super-telephoto lenses. For shooting sports games and motorsport races, I use a monopod for my heavier lenses.

There are lots of good brands out there but I personally use a Manfrotto (studio and landscape) and a Gitzo (for birds and wildlife) tripods and a Manfrotto monopod. My Manfrottos are all fitted with a ballhead with a Wimberley (Arca-Swiss style) clamp.

[RichNY]

With what you want to shoot and the fact that you have a light lens I don't see a monopod serving any purpose for you.

The same goes for a tripod IMO. If you were to use your camera for landscape photography or shooting formal portraiture then it might make sense.

I think that you might want to consider buying nothing right now as you don't seem to need it and then should you find a need to allocate more money that you are planning now. A 'cheap' tripod is going to be a waste.

[SoundsGood]

I think that you might want to consider buying nothing right now as you don't seem to need it and then should you find a need to allocate more money that you are planning now. A 'cheap' tripod is going to be a waste.
I appreciate the honest advice. Thanks. :)

[jhom]

Tripod for when you need a stable platform to capture a shot such as landscape, portraits, etc.

Monopod for when you a support platform is needed while moving around such as sports shooting.

Monopods are fairly inexpensive. A Manfrotto 680 is less than $70 and you will probably never need another one. On the other hand, a tripod can be very expensive once you factor in a ballhead, weight, stability, and type of material.

Regardless, both tripod and monopod are necessary components for good photography. They should not be considered an accessory but important parts of photographic technique.

[SoundsGood]

Does a monopod need a ball or head (or whatever it is)?

[SkipD]

Does a monopod need a ball or head (or whatever it is)?The answer to that depends on you YOU want to use the monopod.

Some people merely stand erect behind a vertical monopod and shoot with the camera essentially horizontally all day. Those folks probably will say they do not need any sort of head on their monopods.

I, and others, use my monopod in many different ways and at many different angles to the ground and to the camera. A Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head makes this quite practical for me, while a single-axis monopod head or no head at all would not allow me to work the way I wish to.

[danielyamseng]

haha. I've a tripod cum Monopod :). If I just wanted a support but find tedious to pull up the other 2 legs, then I just extend one leg use it as a monopod. If this method is sound ok for you then just go for a good tripod.

[SoundsGood]

If this method is sound ok for you then just go for a good tripod.
What's a good (but not too expensive) tripod?

[SkipD]

What's a good (but not too expensive) tripod?The most often-recommended tripod on this forum is the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (or now the 055XProB) topped off with the Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head.

Link to the 3021BPro (out of stock) (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=3021BPro+488RC2&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t)

Link to the 055XProB (in stock) (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=055XProB+488RC2&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t)

[ben_r_]

I have both. Each has its specific times and are needed very much so during those occasions.

[SoundsGood]

The most often-recommended tripod on this forum is the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (or now the 055XProB) topped off with the Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head.

Link to the 3021BPro (out of stock)

Link to the 055XProB (in stock)
Perfect. Thank you! :)