Monopod: why ?

[sid]

I've currently got a cheap tripod that I use on and off with my digital rebel. I've seen a couple of discussions about monopods on the forum and was wondering, apart form the convinience and ease of storage/portability, what advantages does the monopod offer over the tripod ? (assuming both are of good quality) Seems to me that a tripod would work better in a lot of conditions such as night photography or bulb exposures.
Comments anyone ?

[CyberDyneSystems]

.... the convinience and ease of storage/portability, ....

Yep... that sums it up ;)

[HJMinard]

Convenience and portability ... you have it figured out. A tripod is superior in all ways as purely a stabilizing tool, but they are sometimes inconvenient due to their weight, footprint, awkward handling, etc. Monopods resolve most of the inconveniences while still providing a great deal more stability than handheld.

[pcasciola]

Monopods are very common in sports photography. Compared to tripods, they are lighter and more compact, can be setup and collapsed faster, are much easier for quickly pivoting around side to side as well as slight inclination changes without any type of head on it, and are not as clumsy in a crowd. You will see that 99% of pro sports photographers will either be using a monopod or shooting off hand.

A monopod would definitely NOT be a good choice for bulb exposures.

[davepop]

You can also use them as a walking stick. Or to fight off muggers, etc.

[R1 Kid]

Yes your thinking is right. However a monopod is not without use, it does have a place. It's quick, mobile, etc. It's steadier than hand held, but not quite as stable as a tripod.

[HJMinard]

Or to fight off muggers, etc.

:twisted: :!: :lol:

With the camera still attached ... LOL ... my equipment might be smashed to bits, but you're not getting it ...

[davepop]

I still can't keep steady with my monopod. I guess I'm just a wobbly person.

It is very quick to set up and easy to move about with the camera still attached. I do try to use something else to steady it tho.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I actually love using a Monopod.. particularly with a large telephoto lens,. (if it has IS the combo of the 'pod and IS can be almost as good as a tripod)

The monopod when used like a walking stick on a trek then takes the weight of the camera/big lens off of my neck! I find it lets me go into action very fast. The only time I need to remove a 'pod is when shooting birds in flight.

My first experiences with a Long lens were with the Sigma 50-500mm.. usually at 500mm.. where lacking IS and being at least f/6.3 wide open,. support was essential,. and the weight made the pod a requirement. And yet I could use that pod to get myself some decent images at 1/60th a second shutter @ 500mm :) Not bad.

Now when using the 100-400mm for any prolonged use,. I use a monopod.. both for support and to take the weight.. I love it.

[DaveG]

I've currently got a cheap tripod that I use on and off with my digital rebel. I've seen a couple of discussions about monopods on the forum and was wondering, apart form the convinience and ease of storage/portability, what advantages does the monopod offer over the tripod ? (assuming both are of good quality) Seems to me that a tripod would work better in a lot of conditions such as night photography or bulb exposures.
Comments anyone ?

What the monopod really does for me is to take all of the weight of the camera, lens and associated crap, off of my arms. I'm not physically supporting the camera anymore and I can spend all my time think about the compostion not how tired I am.

To a certain extent I'd say that the use of a monipod is kind of like a poor man's IS. It allows you to get sharp images at well below the hand holding rule of thumb shutterspeeds. But it has its limits and when you need rock solid support then a tripod and a cable release is the tool that you need. Yet that point is usually moot since along with IS who cares if you can hand hold down to 1/60 when you need 1/500 of a second to freeze the subject motion?

I also like to have the monopod for transporting my 300 f2.8. Resting it over my shoulder was easily the best way to carry it. And although I never tested this use: you are also carrying a wonderful weapon usually with an arrow point spike at one end. Try to explain carrying THAT to a cop if it was anything but a tripod leg!

[DocFrankenstein]

You can also use them as a walking stick. Or to fight off muggers, etc.
I can see Jet Li doing a fight scene with that.

A journalist on assignment!
Shooting pictures of a mafiozi drug deal with a big lens and monopod.
3 guys attack him!
Using an arca swiss quick release plate, he throws the camera up and wham! Ballhead to the temple!
The camera lands, quick release plate snaps... and 4 more shots of mafiozi in 1/2 seconds...
Throws camera up...

Wait... :D Just imagine Neo figting Smith clones with a manfrotto monopod and some ballhead :D

Here's a 100000$ idea for a commercial! :lol:

[CyberDyneSystems]

DaveG,

Well said! essentially everything I like about a monopod summed up very well :)

[sid]

Wow ! I didnt expect so many replies so fast !
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm learning a LOT in a short amount of time here :)

[Visuals]

I can see Jet Li doing a fight scene with that.

A journalist on assignment!
Shooting pictures of a mafiozi drug deal with a big lens and monopod.
3 guys attack him!
Using an arca swiss quick release plate, he throws the camera up and wham! Ballhead to the temple!
The camera lands, quick release plate snaps... and 4 more shots of mafiozi in 1/2 seconds...
Throws camera up...

Wait... :D Just imagine Neo figting Smith clones with a manfrotto monopod and some ballhead :D

Here's a 100000$ idea for a commercial! :lol:

HA ha ha ha
I was just reserching Monopods and saw your post with Jet-li. very good
it would seem that photography is not your only interest..:D

Carry on:cool:

[Todd Jacobsen]

I still can't keep steady with my monopod. I guess I'm just a wobbly person.

It is very quick to set up and easy to move about with the camera still attached. I do try to use something else to steady it tho.

Some monopods come with belt pockets to put the bottom of the pod into for better control. In addition, they'll come with a strap which you can place tension on to inhibit movement.

Utilization of the pod, without a remote release, can be very difficult to inhibit shaking since the pressure most people put on the shutter button is much greater than required and, in most instances, actually moves the pod.

[Jack W.]

There are also some places where you can't use a tripod, such as museums, etc.
I also like the combination of a monopod and a lens with IS, simply because I need it.
Tough to get old. :-(

[arpi]

today I was sitting on the floor in a tight place. I had the monopod with me and I was using it in its most compact (shortest) form between my legs. I couldn't have sit on the floor like that and use a tripod with its three legs open because of the stair-like leveling of the ground. I find the monopod very convenient and flexible.

cheers

[Hellashot]

Monopods are basically for quick shooting where a tripod setup would take to long. They are most commonly used for sports photography.

[robertwgross]

today I was sitting on the floor in a tight place. I had the monopod with me and I was using it in its most compact (shortest) form between my legs. I couldn't have sit on the floor like that and use a tripod with its three legs open because of the stair-like leveling of the ground. I find the monopod very convenient and flexible.

Uhhh, that's why tripod legs have adjusters on each one, so you can make the head level when the feet are not.

---Bob Gross---

[arpi]

I guess I gave few details and it is easy to come up with multiple scenarios but the idea of my legs being underneath a tripod with different leg-lengths does not look very good (clunky, uncomfortable and slow to set up). the monopod between my legs was way better.

[Danny Boy]

I agree that sports photography is an ideal situation for a monopod. On my 20D, I have the 100-400L and if I was to hold that monster for hours, I'd be shaking so much no picture would come out right. I also agree that since I use a monopod and that fact that the 100-400 has IS, I can focus on what I am trying to compose. I still need some practice in that area. :)

Dan

[JoshBowers]

Monopods are also good for protection... I use it when hiking, much lighter than a tripod, and works fine for my 70-200 lense that doesn't have IS.

And again, nice to have a 5 foot long metal rod to hit things/people with if need be.

[DocFrankenstein]

I don't know how effective a pound stick is gonna be... especially if you don't have training...

Better than nothing I suppose

[JoshBowers]

Well, after a guy tried to start a fight with me for no other reason than I had a camera in my hand... I decided it was useful for protection.

The guy accused me of taking his picture, even though I had the camera in my hand and wasn't even looking at him... He said his face is copyrighted and if I took his picture I have to pay him. Lucky for me I was 4 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier, and a friend of mine saw what was going on and came to back me up.

As for training.... I am a striped green belt in Aikido, which teaches the "Jo" which is a long wooden stick. But basically the best idea is to just hittem in the neck, and jab into the stomach.

But besides people, it's good to shoo away snakes, and other little critters I run into hiking.

[DocFrankenstein]

Oh, well, with aikido training it makes you really dangerous then :) With my training I have better odds with just hands, since I've never been trained with sticks.

[Rob612]

Somebody here has in the sig that a Colt .380 is always on him. That's the choice to go, I personally have a Glock 26 always with me but the concept is the same :)

[JoshBowers]

So ontop of cameras, lenses, flash cards, mono pod, tri pod, image tank, flashes, batteries, and whatever else, you carry a gun to boot?

I've thought about getting a stun gun, or mace. It's a good idea to have some kind of protection, whatever it is. Especially if your alone, carrying thousands of dollars of equipment......

Oh and my monopod has a spiked foot, so yeah, it's useful for protection.

[Rob612]

Its much easier that I leave home without the camera than without my trusty G26. If it happens that the G26 stays home is because I am carrying something bigger (usually a full size .45, if I am wearing a suite its easy to conceal - even if of course you cannot take your jacket off :D) or because I am headed in a place where carrying is prohibited.

It's not a big problem, once you get used to have it on you all the time you really feel strange when you leave it at home. It just becomes like your wallet, it sits naturally in your pocket. Same with the gun, it just fits nicely at 3 o'clock in an IWB holster. Of course that's my preferred poistion, your mileage may vary :)