Is a monopod useful for steadying a camera?

Monopods undoubtedly are very popular with people with long lenses, but I wonder if they are used primarily for taking the weight of the lens? I know a good tripod is the ultimate, but how useful do you think a monopod is for steadying a camera?

They can help a lot. But it still is pretty easy to get camera shake.

Better than handholding, for sure. It provides an anchor point and provides support, which is, as you mentioned, very handy with large, heavy lenses. The two main reasons I've used (or seen others use) a monopod are A) convenience - less cumbersome, smaller, lighter, more mobile than tripods, and B) restrictions of the place where they're shooting. Some places won't' allow tripods, but monopods are ok.

Try handholding a 70-200 lens and shoot for 30 minutes...

Shooting with a non-IS camera in a low light environment with no flash, a monopod serves as IS and get you that desperately needed extra f-stop or ss.

My lenses are IS, so how will a monopod help with them?

Roy Mathers wrote in post #13549140
My lenses are IS, so how will a monopod help with them?

If lens has IS and weight is not an issue, why you need monopod for?

bobbyz wrote in post #13549151
If lens has IS and weight is not an issue, why you need monopod for?

Photographers nowadays need a self-defense weapon more than ever, don't they?

SYS wrote in post #13549161
Photographers nowadays need a self-defense weapon more than ever, don't they?

Just yesterday I used mine to beat back a rabid band of Nikon salesmen. If it weren't for my monopod my canon would've been a goner.

A monopod can be helpful steadying the camera, but I find that with good technique I can actually shoot a 70-200 handheld at similar speed with a similar result. 1/15th at f2.8 12800iso (so dark it's a struggle to focus) will normally result in 80% sharp enough to use.

In fact I only ever use my monopod for supporting the weight of big lenses (300f2.8 upwards - although 300 is very handholdable if your only doing it for short bursts (30 secs tops)

bobbyz wrote in post #13549151
If lens has IS and weight is not an issue, why you need monopod for?

SYS wrote in post #13549161
Photographers nowadays need a self-defense weapon more than ever, don't they?

Here ya go. Excellent use of a monopod when a pesky Nikon user tries to get your shot.

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=oY1In4zw90A

With a 7D and a 100-400 lens at 400mm, the result at 1/1000 was dramatic using a monopod compared to handheld. I'm a fan.

They are very helpful!
Here's some info! http://www.outdooreyes​.com/photo5.php3

sandpiper wrote in post #13549328
Here ya go. Excellent use of a monopod when a pesky Nikon user tries to get your shot.

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=oY1In4zw90A

Ha ha, I love the guy on the right as the video camera zooms back, he turns his attention to the two idiots fighting and starts shooting them! lol

tvphotog wrote in post #13549364
With a 7D and a 100-400 lens at 400mm, the result at 1/1000 was dramatic using a monopod compared to handheld. I'm a fan.

I assume 1/1000 is a typo, you ment 1/100.

I am not a steady person but on 100-400 with that old IS I could still do 1/125 with IS no problems at 400mm.