Monopod or tripod or both?

[CanonGolfer]

Do any of you use either or both of these. I understand with the bigger lenses (70-200) that weight gets pretty heavy esp. if you have been moving around for 3+ hours. So what are the advantages, besides the obvious, of using a monopod vs. a tripod or vice versa?

[bric-a-brac]

I use a monopod with my 135L for the ceremony if the venue is so dark that using shutter speeds less than 1/125 at F/2 and ISO 1600 is necessary. I don't really find it inconvenient, but that's probably because I still remember the experience of using a 70-200 on a tripod at the first two weddings I photographed. It's almost impossible to move a set up like that quickly and discretely.

[Dunedan]

The only time I use a tripod is with posed group photos. Other than that, neither.

[tim]

I have both and the 70-200 2.8, but I haven't used either support at a wedding in years. I haven't had a need.

[SuzyView]

Tripods or monopods take too much time to set up and gets in the way for me. I haven't used one in about a year.

[john-in-japan]

Monopod with a quick release plate is very convenient. I like a monopod in poor light where a tripod is difficult to move around.

[RT McAllister]

I'm a monopod guy myself. But they really need to start making these things out of rubber. I've "whacked" and poked too many nice folks in my time. :mrgreen:

The only time I use a tripod is with posed group photos. Other than that, neither.

Off topic I suppose but how do you "focus/recompose" while on a tripod? Good ball head? Manual focus?

It's never worked for me and I never learned how.

[Red Tie Photography]

Well if they were rubber, wouldnt that really take a lot of the support out, make it heavier, and more difficult to use? I get your point though

[RT McAllister]

Well if they were rubber, wouldnt that really take a lot of the support out, make it heavier, and more difficult to use?Ya think? :wink:

I've been eyeing the Bogen 334B with the squeeze handle that expands/collapses the pod. Bringing this thing down to 26" when moving would help (Instead of dragging a 6 foot pole around).

[Big K]

Ya think? :wink:

I've been eyeing the Bogen 334B with the squeeze handle that expands/collapses the pod. Bringing this thing down to 26" when moving would help (Instead of dragging a 6 foot pole around).

I have that mono and one thing to consider is that it makes a lot of noise when you expand and contract it. Clank, clank, clank as the sections extend.

[RT McAllister]

I have that mono and one thing to consider is that it makes a lot of noise when you expand and contract it. Clank, clank, clank as the sections extend.Figures. :(

[PMCphotography]

I use a monopod at almost every wedding I do because of a dodgy shoulder. Good balance between portability and usability.

[form]

Don't own a monopod but I might use one occasionally if I did (church weddings). When I want to try to make the formals as straight as possible SOOC I will use the tripod.

[RT McAllister]

When I want to try to make the formals as straight as possible SOOC I will use the tripod.Another shooter using a tripod for formals so I ask again...

How do you focus group shots on one of these damned things? In the old days cameras had that split view thing that helped with manual focusing but not today.

I use a "squeeze grip" ball head and while it's great for macro shooting in manual focus I can't picture using it to focus/recompose on sticks without a third hand.

[cdifoto]

I have both and don't use either.

[cdifoto]

Another shooter using a tripod for formals so I ask again...

How do you focus group shots on one of these damned things? In the old days cameras had that split view thing that helped with manual focusing but not today.

I use a "squeeze grip" ball head and while it's great for macro shooting in manual focus I can't picture using it to focus/recompose on sticks without a third hand.
Why are you focusing and recomposing?

[RT McAllister]

Why are you focusing and recomposing?I'm not. I don't use a tripod. :D

This is why I'm asking tripod users how they focus on a tripod if they're in AF mode. And if it's manual focus, how much do you trust that tiny view finder? I don't.

[katodog]

I have a few tripods and a monopod, and the only time I use any is when I use a tripod for macro. Otherwise I'm holding my gear, even the bigger lenses. Do yourself a favor, buy a Cotton Carrier. You can put your gear on it when you need to take a break, and you don't have to worry about tripods and the big hassle that they can be.

[cdifoto]

I'm not. I don't use a tripod. :D

This is why I'm asking tripod users how they focus on a tripod if they're in AF mode. And if it's manual focus, how much do you trust that tiny view finder? I don't.
I don't focus and recompose at all. Tripod or not. It's a bad habit.

[RT McAllister]

I don't focus and recompose at all. Tripod or not. It's a bad habit.Ok... I guess I'm not being understood which explains why I keep getting these cryptic responses.

I know you focus on a tripod... how then? Auto? Manual?

And if in auto, and you don't recompose that means your shot is composed before you focus. So you just select the closest AF point point and call it good? Or use all the AF points?

I suspect you shoot in manual focus on a tripod. (But unless you say it I can only guess :D).

[form]

Actually you get them because he's always that way. I focus and recompose often because my cameras don't have great outer AF points. I use the AF when using a tripod.

[cdifoto]

Ok... I guess I'm not being understood which explains why I keep getting these cryptic responses.

I know you focus on a tripod... how then? Auto? Manual?

And if in auto, and you don't recompose that means your shot is composed before you focus. So you just select the closest AF point point and call it good? Or use all the AF points?

I suspect you shoot in manual focus on a tripod. (But unless you say it I can only guess :D).
I said before that I don't use a tripod at weddings. But I don't focus and recompose because that introduces errors. I select a point that covers the area I want in focus.

[RT McAllister]

I select a point that covers the area I want in focus.Well, not all cameras have 45 AF points and you shouldn't assume they do. :D (I only have 9).

[cdifoto]

My 30Ds only have 9. I only allow 11 to be active on my 1D IIs. It's not often that one of those 9 or 11 doesn't land where I need it.

[amonline]

Have both... covered in dust... haven't used them in at least a couple of years. Save the money. Learn to shoot right.

[jonwhite]

I have a tripod and 2 mono pods.

Tripod I occasionally use when we have a lot of formals to do because it makes things easier to move around and leave the camera in the same position and give the group something to focus on. Joystick head.

Large monopod I don't use very much but I have a little manfroto one that stays in my camera bag that I use at most weddings, not in the conventional way though. I use it for a high shot in the church if there is no balcony, held above my head it gives good height, Its also great for mounting a flash on for off camera shots if I want a light up high.

[Peacefield]

Well to speak to everywhere this string went:

I bring one tripod where the middle section pulls out and becomes a mono pod. It's pretty convenient. That said, I rarely use it for weddings. The only time is when I'm doing formals inside a church and am dragging the shutter a lot to bring up ambient. It's also nice to have the camera off my shoulder for a while. Mostly, I use this tripod to hold my flash for some specific off-camera shots where the flash head will be visible in the shot so having my assistant holding the flash is not a suitable solution.

As far as focusing and recomposing, this is the only way I work. I have no desire to allow the camera to guess at the right AF point for me nor do i care to push buttons to change it from one to another. It's always on center, where the AF is most sensitive anyway. To focus and recompose is second nature to me. Now on a tripod, I will focus on the subject, recompose, and then turn AF off. If I keep setting up the groups in the same spot and I'm not going to be moving (both are usually true), I'm done focusing for nearly the entire session. I just need to make sure I don't bump the focusing ring with my hand.

[RT McAllister]

Now on a tripod, I will focus on the subject, recompose, and then turn AF off.Interesting technique. Thanks Peace. 20 posts later and somebody finally answers my question. :D

I've been playing with the Liveview function on my 50D on manual focus (Like I do with macro shots). It works pretty well because you can zoom the image on the LCD for more accurate focus. But LV is a juice-sucker and the batteries don't last long.

I just can't trust myself into thinking the focus will hold unless I do it for every shot. Habit I guess.

[Peacefield]

Interesting technique. But LV is a juice-sucker and the batteries don't last long.

I just can't trust myself into thinking the focus will hold unless I do it for every shot. Habit I guess.

That's why I don't use LV during a wedding. I'm also a little anal like that and always want to refocus, recheck focus, etc. My eyes, however, are no longer good enough to be trust worthy of fine focus so I need to leave it to the camera.