Monopods any good ??

[gyelland]

I have a heavy manfrotto tripod with a 3 way head, had it for years, its really great and ideal for my landscapes, but for the odd sunday walk around local country homes and grounds its just to much effort.

I am thinking about a monopod (or other ideas) I want something light and stable, max lens is 300mm (not IS) I like my high f-stops so speeds are low. Will a monopod really help ? what speed can I use with 300m safely. I can understand it stops the up and down shake, but does it also minimise the other axis shake ?

I am already using the iso settings a lot on the 10D this is great, but still need support.

I would appriciate any users with monopods for honest experience, I am not interested in what the shop sales person can tell me as they will always say they are good.

[Pekka]

I have Manfrotto Carbon One monopod and here's some thoughts of using it:

Primary use for monopod is holding the weight. Even if you can do 1/1000 speeds you simply can't hold long lens and 10D with battery grip all day long. I can take extremely stable shots with 1/40 @ 200mm with non-IS 70-200 but I can't do it continuosly. If I shoot in a situation where I have to keep alert and ready a long time and move around then monopod is what I use.

How much the monopod can dampen the shake: not a lot. You can _maybe_ practice it to gain 2 stops or so - just take some time to find your own preferred positions for the monopod. Now way does the monopod allow you to quicky shoot without thinking and get sharp photos.

Finding good camera holding methods (different for different lenses), concentration, calm mind and relaxed breathing will help more than a monopod. In some rare occasions you may find a position that will essentially give you tripod stability (like when you sit down in a concert hall with monopod and support it between chairs while your elbows lay on chair back (whats the word in english?)

Monopod can also be used as support without attaching camera to it - slip your right hand throught its carrying strap and let it hold your weight.

[neil_r]

Pekka wrote:
I(like when you sit down in a concert hall with monopod and support it between chairs while your elbows lay on chair back (whats the word in english?)


Rest ?

I to use a Manfrotto (unfortunatly not a carbon one) As Pekka has said, primarily it is to support the weight, it is also excellent for panning a shot with the IS stabiliser mode set to 2 (I use this for motor sports) I know from previous experience that it also helps with non IS panning.

The great thing about no longer having to pay for film and D&P is that you can practice till you get your holding technique just right. I recon I can squeeze an extra 2 stops over hand holding, and carrying the monopod means that you do not always have to be on the look out for a convenient wall, chair, gate etc to lean on. Of course the other big advantage with a monopod is, after a long day, it makes an excellent walking stick to get you home.


Neil

[gregarpp]

The monopod is also usefull for outdoor macro shots.

Since any slight movement will cause the image to move focus.
The monopod will hold the camera at a fixed position.
I have a small bogen head on mine.

[gyelland]

Look like I am looking at a manfrotto, I know they last, just need to find the right one,
thanks for the advice.

[teekay]

I got a Manfrotto for Xmas but realized it was overkill and more suitable for heavy videocams than my G1. I returned it and got a good, light, collapsible walking staff with tripod screw at top.

This is ideal. I have run tests at full zoom and full wide with and without the staff under dull skies with exposures as high as 1/250 at full zoom.

I was amazed to find that on magnifying images they were without exception sharper with the staff.

[wrxxx]

teekay wrote:
I got a Manfrotto for Xmas but realized it was overkill and more suitable for heavy videocams than my G1. I returned it and got a good, light, collapsible walking staff with tripod screw at top.

This is ideal. I have run tests at full zoom and full wide with and without the staff under dull skies with exposures as high as 1/250 at full zoom.

I was amazed to find that on magnifying images they were without exception sharper with the staff.



The good light collapsible walking staff is just what I'm looking for for my D60 - who makes your staff & what model?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

[UK_Terry]

I subscribed to a photo magazine (Practical Photography) because it was giving away a monopod.

Velbon UP-4000

extemly light and just what i was looking for (cost effective) i only have a use for it very occasionally, so to buy one could not be justified.

i have used it twice in 3 months and for about 20 shots, i am very happy with it.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I have been using a manfrotto as well.

It is very light and drops open with the squeeze of the handle! Very handy indeed. Just hold the camera at the height you want,. squeeze the handle and the bottom drops down to the ground! It was only $79.00 at Ritz camera.

Here it is.

http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=1274788&topCategory=1004&cat1=5849816

I guess it was on sale when I got it :)

I use it primarily attached directly to the mount on the very heavy Sigma 50-500mm while stalking birds etc. No it does not replace a solid tripod,. but for walking around in the woods it is a life saver! And this one is light enough that when I need to point the camera straight overhead,.. I can with the monopod attached,. ...//providing it doesn't hit anything or anyone while it sticks out at 90% :D

[Osmium]

I've used a Benbo monopod for years - I love it. It's a two section design with the upper section sliding inside the lower section which is sealed - so no water, mud etc can clog the pod. Makes a great walking stick without the camera attached and strolling the bush. Very positive, firm section lock via a knurled knob.

[boBquincy]

I use a lightweight monopod made of 5 sections ofaluminum tent poles. Although flexible in bending, it is very stiff in compression which is what is needed. I used to screw it into the tripod socket but now have fitted a rubber grommet which I rest the camera on. For long lenses I rest the camera/lens on the monopod at the balance point.

The monopod works great!

boB

[boBquincy]

I use a lightweight monopod made of 5 sections ofaluminum tent poles. Although flexible in bending, it is very stiff in compression which is what is needed. I used to screw it into the tripod socket but now have fitted a rubber grommet which I rest the camera on. For long lenses I rest the camera/lens on the monopod at the balance point.

The monopod works great!

boB

[boBquincy]

I use a lightweight monopod made of 5 sections ofaluminum tent poles. Although flexible in bending, it is very stiff in compression which is what is needed. I used to screw it into the tripod socket but now have fitted a rubber grommet which I rest the camera on. For long lenses I rest the camera/lens on the monopod at the balance point.

The monopod works great!

boB