how much will a monopod compensate for IS?

[mvshutter 2009]

i have the 70-200 f4L. not having IS on it has really been bugging me lately. I was thinking about selling it and getting the IS version.

How much would a monopod compensate for this? i imagine it will make quite the difference but I havnt shot with one before. what are some decent monopods you all shoot with?

[cdifoto]

Monopods are kind of a pain in the butt to use, i.e. inconvenient. I consider them more for holding a heavy lens over a long period of time moreso than actual steady support to replace IS. Tripods are more suited to IS replacement, in my opinion.

[ed rader]

Originally Posted by mvshutter 2009

i have the 70-200 f4L. not having IS on it has really been bugging me lately. I was thinking about selling it and getting the IS version.

How much would a monopod compensate for this? i imagine it will make quite the difference but I havent shot with one before. what are some decent monopods you all shoot with?

properly used a monopod will buy you a stop or two. the 4-stop IS of the 70-200L f4 IS is so good that the only reason i use a tripod for landscapes is for composing the shot, and still i do a lot of freehand landscapes with this lens.

ed rader

[Addicted2EOS]

Personally, I think the shooter plays as big a role as the monopod.

[canondslr]

Im kinda agree with cdifoto, for some reason I cant use the monopod.
The only way I can use it is to lean the monopod onto something, which makes it a duopod or tripod. Other than that, I just use my monopod as a light stick.
Without monopod, I got up-down-left-right movement, but if I brace my self properly, I can minimized that and let the IS take care of the rest.
With monopod, I dont have up-down movement anymore, but the right-left movement become worst.
I dont know if that's normal or maybe it's just me, but there you go, I just cant use monopod.
I prefer tripod for your purposes. And if you are going to keep your 70-200 F4 non IS, I'd suggest the tripod ring too... otherwise that lens becomes too front-heavy.
Hope that helps.

**To anyone, if my way of using monopod is wrong, maybe anyone can point me to the right direction, Thanks.**

[zoom_zoom]

It sounds like you really really want the IS version of the lens... I would just go for it and forget about the monopod. The monopod is another piece of gear you're going to have to carry with you.

[pigtailpat]

I have the 70-200 IS 2.8, and let me tell you, that thing is heavy. I don't like hand holding it too long. I'm not sure what type of shots you do, but if you do any shooting for fast action whereby if you're hand holding you must must hold it constantly to compose, you'll get tired quickly.

If you're using it for social type shooting and not constantly holding it, you'll be more comfortable. This is only me however, there will be plently of people who will tell you that the 70-200 IS is very hand holdable. Just be prepared for a very significant weight difference between the F4 and F 2.8 versions - and if you looking to get the 2.8 just to ditch a monopod, there's a possibility that the weight of this brick might force you back to the pod and you're back to where you started, only poorer

[pigtailpat]

Whoops, I just re-read that you were thinking of getting the F4 in IS, not the 2.8.....sorry....ignore my post above then....

if you're sticking with an F4 version it should be lighter than the 2.8 version......

I have a 680B bogen monopod I've been using for quite some time, and using a monopod is really very simple. At first it'll seem a little awkward, but you grow accustomed to it very quickly......

[Lowner]

I'd use IS and a monopod personally. A cheap monopod is a better proposition than a cheap tripod. I used a very cheap Velbon for years, sticky tape and all, until my wife was forced to use it as a walking stick and it bent.

[friz]

Originally Posted by Lowner

I'd use IS and a monopod personally. A cheap monopod is a better proposition than a cheap tripod. I used a very cheap Velbon for years, sticky tape and all, until my wife was forced to use it as a walking stick and it bent.

Thats why I use a walking stick as a monopod.

[Double Negative]

A monopod is more support (think pro DSLR w/birding or sport lens) than a real stability enhancer - but it does help. Much easier to hold a camera steady when it doesn't weigh several pounds, especially when used correctly (rather than simply a camera on a stick). Depending on the wind, how shaky you are, the weight of the gear and your skill - you're good for a couple of stops.

But IS easily beats it...

Unless you combine them both!

[pwm2]

But it is really important that the monopod isn't just used straight down, just for taking the weight. It is really intended to form a full tripod, together with the phographers legs.

http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

I prefer option #3 myself.

[PacAce]

Originally Posted by pwm2

But it is really important that the monopod isn't just used straight down, just for taking the weight. It is really intended to form a full tripod, together with the phographers legs.

http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

I prefer option #3 myself.

I tried that when I first started using the monopod. I never really got the hang of using the monopod as described in that website even though I got the technique down pat. Most times, I just found the techniques quite cumbersome and gave up on it. I use the monopod mainly to support heavy lenses. If I need stability, I use a tripod instead.

[friz]

I like to use a monopod not extended all the way to the ground. Just use the pendulum effect to steady the lens.

[TampaFoto]

I shoot with a 70-200 L 2.8 I S and I found the monopod great for baseball games I shot. Either sitting or standing it was nice to take the load off my arms and gave me more control. I also have shot Concert events where I was on the move for 6 plus hours and a monopod would not have worked to well due to the crowds and ever changing locations ie. Stage, in front of the stage in the croud, Back Stage and in small trailers where groups were waiting to go on stage. Here are a couple of shots from Concerts in Medellin ,Colombia Taken hand held. I S Really helped out as well as the lens being 2.8 .