Sports shooters - do you use a monopod or chestpod?

[caroleigh]

I was just wondering if any of you that shoot sports (particularly football and baseball) use a monopod? I was thinking of getting one but wondered if it would be a huge annoyance running up and down the sidelines? How about a chestpod?

[Bumgardnern]

I alternate between a monopod and no support at all depending on the mood that I am in. I always bring my monopod though. I have never used a chestpod.

[Canonswhitelensesrule]

It depends on which lens/lenses you are using. When I shot sports, if I used the 70-200mm 2.8L lens, I hand held it. If I used the 300mm f2.8, or 600mm f4 lenses, I used a monopod. I sometimes hand held the 300mm f2.8, but usually used a monopod.

[caroleigh]

Thanks.
I am using the 70-200 F/4L. I tend to be very shakey even when I think I am not and running up and down the sidelines this old gal really shakes. I was considering a chestpod because it just seems it would be easier since it's on the body but I have really never seen one, just online and never seen anyone use one.

[primoz]

For 70-200 my suggestion is to forget anything and shoot handhold. 70-200 is really light lens, and when shooting sport, stabilization is last thing you need. Even at 600mm you are still fine as shaking goes. Except for few very special shoots, shutter time is so fast, that shaking won't have any influence on photo quality. And when it does, you have bunch of other problems then unsharp photos due missing stabilization.

[danaitch]

Ditto. Anything below a 300mm telephoto has to be hand held. 300mm and up, monopod.

If I knew how to post the word 'monopod' so that it sounded like the 'Monorail' song from The Simpsons, I would. ;)

[dave kadolph]

Anything smaller than a 300 2.8 I handhold.

[tonylong]

You might not get a definitive answer, but you might find it interesting to check out Page 15 of the Feb. issue of Shutterbug Magazine -- you'll see monopods and handheld all hard at work!

[bildeb0rg]

Monopod, if only to fend off the great unwashed.;)

[oomus]

For 70-200 my suggestion is to forget anything and shoot handhold. 70-200 is really light lens, and when shooting sport, stabilization is last thing you need. Even at 600mm you are still fine as shaking goes. Except for few very special shoots, shutter time is so fast, that shaking won't have any influence on photo quality. And when it does, you have bunch of other problems then unsharp photos due missing stabilization.


+1

I routinely hand hold my 70-200 IS and 100-400 IS all day long.

Besides I cant seem to get the monopod to hold the camera level, always off axis.

Hand holding is much better IMHO for any lens I have but I dont have any of the big dogs either....

Only exception is landscape or excessively slow SS then I use a Tripod.

I can hand hold and pan down to about 1/60 and get keepers for slow moving stuff.

About 1/160 for cars and bikes moving 60-100mph.

[clarence]

If I knew how to post the word 'monopod' so that it sounded like the 'Monorail' song from The Simpsons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3xGtjhZ_Yg), I would. ;)

monopod... what's it called... monopod... once again... monopod...

mono...DOH! :D

[northpointphoto]

1-299mm handheld, 300+ monopod.

I can handhold a 300 f2.8 if Im running two bodies but if Im using a 300 primarily I put it on a monopod. I've never had any problems moving up and down the field with one. Plus if I have to I can collapse it real quick.

[caroleigh]

Holy stuff , this resurfeced after a year... and to think I am still asking questions about monopods LOL.... I'm finally about to buy my 1st :)

[northpointphoto]

Holy stuff , this resurfeced after a year... and to think I am still asking questions about monopods LOL.... I'm finally about to buy my 1st :)

Wow I didnt even look at the date of the OP.

[Dennis_Hammer]

If I use something I use a monopod. Althoughonce I set up a 500 at center field and used a remote to trigger it off a tripod, once. Worked well just my buddy with the 500 sold it.

[skintero]

My 70-200 doesn't have IS. I couldn't afford it at the time and didn't want to wait until I could. I may sell it and upgrade to the IS so I don't have to use the monopod to stabilize it.

[lauderdalems]

With my 70-200 2.8 IS, I shoot both handheld and mono. It is easier with the pod if I pre-focus on the batter or a base also.

(wife will not allow a 300 2.8)

[Mike R]

I have the 70-200 2.8 and always hand held it, but since an injury to my right arm, I now use a mono pod with it. It took a little time for me to get use to the stick. If you can hand hold it, do so. Just have a wide comfortable neck strap if you need to give the hand/arm a rest. It.will seem heavier hanging on your neck

[chris270]

My 70-200 doesn't have IS. I couldn't afford it at the time and didn't want to wait until I could. I may sell it and upgrade to the IS so I don't have to use the monopod to stabilize it.
Shooting sports your shutter speed should be high enough where IS and a monopod are not needed....

[tonylong]

I have no problem when shooting hand-held with my 70-200 f/2.8 IS, and I squeeze every bit of f/2.8 and IS out of it.

I'll tell you, though, that in a long shoot fatigue plays in. After an hour or so that monopod really serves well.

[TheSportsGuy]

I only use a monopod for the 100-400, because it become very awkward to hold when zoomed out to 400.

[USMCWayne]

I always use my monopod for HS football.

The main reason is it keeps my eye in my viewfinder "all" the time, ready to shoot.