How useful is MonoPod?

[Tigerkn]

Please help me to know.

How useful is MP?
When and where is it most use?
Is it worth it?
TIA.

[SYS]

Please help me to know.

How useful is MP?
When and where is it most use?
Is it worth it?
TIA.

It's most useful when you have a heavy load (your grip makes everything heavier) and you're developing your arm muscles by the minute handholding the stuff.

It's also helpful in providing extra stability such as using non-IS lenses in lowlight or indoor shooting.

It's also helpful when you're hiking a lot and you never know what you're going to run into. I have a Gitzo monopod with 4.7" stainless steel spike at the end when I'm hiking... ;)

You can also use a monopod as a light pole if you're into flash photography....

So is it worth having one? Absolutely! In fact, I have two, one Manfrotto "Auto" for lighter event shooting, and Gitzo for heavy or for hiking....

[donaldjl]

Also, some indoor (like our local art museum, science center, and zoo's butterfly house) and outdoor establishments don't allow the use of "tripods" by photographers, making a monopod a great alternative.

In addition, if you're on a photo safari, travelling light without tripods, and one of the groups starts sinking into a pit of quicksand, you can quickly extend the monopod and reach out to them with it to help bring them back to solid ground, thus saving the day!

[DeCeccoNET]

.

In addition, if you're on a photo safari, travelling light without tripods, and one of the groups starts sinking into a pit of quicksand, you can quickly extend the monopod and reach out to them with it to help bring them back to solid ground, thus saving the day!


I'd pay to be in that picture :)

[Jon]

I'd pay to be in that picture :)

I know where there's some quicksand if you're volunteering to be the rescuee . . .

:{)#

[Grentz]

Stability goes (in order of worst to best):
Handholding
Monopod
Tripod

It can be used just about anywhere to add a bit more stability.

[DeCeccoNET]

I know where there's some quicksand if you're volunteering to be the rescuee . . .

:{)#


I'd volunteer in a heartbeat and would even consider donating my monopod to the cause if it hasent sold by then :cool:

[Tigerkn]

Thanks Guys. Great details.
Now, I am debating if I should pick up a monopod or bring my cheapo tripod for my trip to the East. Please throw more advice if you don't mind. Thanks again.

[Cam101]

I think a good monopod would be more useful than a cheap tripod on a sight seeing vacation... however, if you plan on taking serious landscape shots then even a cheap tripod would be best.

Details... we need more details!

[mikekelley]

It will also extend your reach, giving you a lot more angles to work with inside. Some interesting perspectives can be had with a monopod held over your head, taking a picture from 12+ feet off the ground as opposed to 6.

[SkipD]

Thanks Guys. Great details.
Now, I am debating if I should pick up a monopod or bring my cheapo tripod for my trip to the East. Please throw more advice if you don't mind. Thanks again.A monopod will not in any way replace a tripod. The primary benefit of using a monopod is to take weight off your arms.

A monopod helps with stability a little bit compared to hand holding a camera, but mostly in the up/down direction. It does little to nothing to improve side-to-side stability over hand holding a camera. A good tripod, on the other hand, takes care of stability in both directions and even lets you get out in front of the camera.

Again, the biggest advantage of a monopod is to allow you to keep a heavy lens aimed in the general direction of a subject (or expected subject) for long periods of time without stressing your arm muscles.

[xander2188]

i have a monopod and a cheap tripod that i never use. The only time i use the monopod is when i shoot sports and that is just to help take the weight off, so i dont have to hold the camera through a baseball double header. It is useful to have, but I personally dont like using them except for certain situations because it makes it difficult for me to move around or change my angle because i have a 6 foot long stick hanging off of camera. However I am planning on buying a higher quality one with a ball head because that will make it easier for me to tilt the camera to different angles, my current monopod is just a stick with a tripod screw on top.

[olletsocmit]

i llike

[Elvis]

i have a monopod and a cheap tripod that i never use. The only time i use the monopod is when i shoot sports and that is just to help take the weight off, so i dont have to hold the camera through a baseball double header. It is useful to have, but I personally dont like using them except for certain situations because it makes it difficult for me to move around or change my angle because i have a 6 foot long stick hanging off of camera. However I am planning on buying a higher quality one with a ball head because that will make it easier for me to tilt the camera to different angles, my current monopod is just a stick with a tripod screw on top.

What would be the best ball head to buy........I take sports photos...........and use a 50D with a 70-200 2.8...........but have just bought a 1d mkIII and am finding it a bit of a beast:rolleyes:............help please

[Elvis]

Anyone

[SkipD]

I use a Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head on my Manfrotto 680B monopod.

I use the Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head on my most-used tripod. Thus, I don't ever remove the quick release plates from the cameras or lenses that I put on the monopod or tripod.

[JJD.Photography]

Very useful when you can't tote a tripod and shooting with a Tamron 200-500mm.

Use ours quite often when I am using the Tamron.

[René Damkot]

For sports I'd probably use the tripod ring on the lens and go without ballhead. You will be shooting about level most of the time anyway.

[ed rader]

Anyone


just buy a light monpod and screw it directly to the tripod collar. if you need more up and down flexibility add a manfrotto tilt head.

ed rader

[ed rader]

I think a good monopod would be more useful than a cheap tripod on a sight seeing vacation... however, if you plan on taking serious landscape shots then even a cheap tripod would be best.

Details... we need more details!

like Skip said a monopod isn't a substitute for a tripod. but if you don't have a tripod with you a monopod will steady your camera and slow you down enough so you can compose landscapes.

i did this in africa on game drives when we'd stop for sundowners and the monopod made a visible difference in sharpness and composition.

in a pinch i've also used my tripod as a monopod.

ed rader

[Tigerkn]

Thanks again Guys!! I really don't think I can get away with not hauling the tripod to Asia trip.

[MikeV99]

I sometimes use mine in an almost closed position with a monopod pouch on my TT belt. It provides me a 3 point grip without having to hold the camera up. Very handy if one is moving around quickly and does not have time to setup a tripod (I use a tripod as well), they just serve different purposes.

Mike