Monopod vs. Tripod? Which one?

[mrscoll410]

I'm kinda new at all this, and I'm probably going to be buying a lens without IS, therefore I will probaby need a monopod or tripod. Can you offer your opinion and thoughts about using one or both of these? Which one do you prefer?

I will probably be shooting several shots without a monopod or tripod, so I'm still wondering if I should stick with a lens that has IS, but I'm not sure. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

Also, please feel free to give me the brand, price, link, etc. to the monopod, tripod, or both that you like.

Thanks!

- Mindy from Missouri :)

[CorruptedPhotographer]

2 different animals.

The monopod is in no way a tripod replacement. The tripod is essential for low-light and long exposure shots. There will be virtually no shake. But the monopod has one leg, so there will be some inevitable shake. The monopod's main purpose IMO is that it takes the weight of longer telephoto lenses and also gives more stability (less shake) than handholding. Also its easier to transport around (say at a sporting event/concert...) for purposes where there will be generally fast shutter speeds. I use mine for wildlife and fast shutter photo shoots. So say your going out for a walk and taking some photos, the monopod would be a better idea since you would probably not like to stop every time you plan on shooting and adjusting the tripod. But I strictly use tripods for landscape photography. But say, im walkin around town during the day, i'd take my monopod with me. Helps with longer lens and is more stable than handheld shooting (in general).

Remember, a monopod has one leg, so there is going to be very little shake which is ok for wildlife and walking around because you're anyways going to use faster shutter speeds.

[condyk]

The best combination of price, stability, light weight, build and convenience, either monopod or tripod, when I was looking came via Feisol www.feisol.com and the best ballhead I found price/performance wise was the Manfrotto 488 RC2, which is a very popular choice for many. If a light weight carbon fibre build is less important to you then there are other excellent brands/models which no doubt people will recommend. Or, do a search on tripod or monopod as this is a very common question. I asked it myself ;)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Both..

If your getting only one.. it should be tripod.. but I use both.. they serve diferent purposes.

[Timm]

I agree with CDS, however my monopod is a compromise Giottos P-Pod (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=318592&is=REG) which has three feet stored in the bas to make it a basic tripod if needed.

It's not the lightest monopod out there (2.2kg) and it's not a versatile as a proper tripod, however it is a very usable compromise.

[SkipD]

I also agree with CDS. I have both tripods (actually more than one tripod and several heads) and a monopod. I use each for different situations.

I would strongly suggest that you get the IS version of a lens if price is not a deal-killer. I have the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS and am extremely glad that I got it. Example - I grabbed my 20D with the 70-200 stuck on a 1.4 extender the other day to try to photograph a deer and her fawn coming across our property. I had only one or two seconds to take the shot before they ran off. After processing the shot I noticed blur of the deer's legs and a slightly reduced overall sharpness from what I expect, even though the shot was generally acceptable. Then I realized why. The camera had been in AV mode at f11, and the shutter speed was only 1/15th of second. Mind you, that's with a 280mm lens (equivalent of a 448mm lens on a 35mm camera). Not too shabby to say the least.

[jimtfoto]

Agree with CDS ... have both, but generally use the tripod more.

cheers,
jim

[Outdoor23]

Agree with CDS..., but if you do hike alot (like me) and hate carrying around a huge tripod, than monopod would be great.

[xanthus]

If you are shooting sports or indoor events, a monopod is the way to go. You can't set-up, tear-down, move and re-set a tripod very easily in most cases. A monopod will eliminate most "shake", since all up and down movement is in check. You'll just learn to stabilize it more for back and forth, side to side - not that hard, really. Virtually every pro who has to move a lot indoors shoots with a monopod or IS. Tripods are better suited for portraiture, long lenses, macro work, timed exposures, etc., where you don't have to tear down too often or the light is really low.

-George

[DocFrankenstein]

Have both... and 4-5 heads too. That way you'll have a good support system, which is convenient and is adjustable to what you do.

[Mitcon]

Have to agree with what everyone else has said, get both. I have a few different tripods and heads but only one monopod. If I was only able to have one thing I'd go for a good ballhead and tripod.