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.;)