Is a monopod useful for steadying a camera?

Thanks for all your comments so far everyone.

A monopod can be very useful for panning since it pretty much eliminates up/down movement while allowing a full range of side-side movement.

The monopod can be made very stable by bracing it against a solid object. With it partly collapsed you can also shoot from a kneeling position with the 'pod braced against your knee for more stability.

^^Good points, and what I expected.

I have just spent a small fortune on a Gitzo monopod and very shortly a RRS monopod head and the biggest lens I have is a 70-200 F4 is , which is a light lens.

The reason ? I can never hold a camera very steady and I find the monopod very useful , I also plan on getting a 100-400 zoom in the future or even a 500f4 if money somehow falls into my wallet.

I plan on using it at zoo's , the park , hiking , birding etc You also need to learn how to use a monopod , don't expect to plonk your camera on top like a tripod , it takes some getting use to.

Gitzo pod for 70-200mm f4. Even cheap bogen $50 will handle 1 series camera and 500mm f4 IS without any issues.

I have a $250 Gitzo Monopod and a much cheaper Manfrotto 3245 Automatic Monopod, and I use the latter more because of the convenience of "auto."

I recently got a monopod to assist with my heavier 100-400mm as waiting for the right shot with wildlife can take some time and I needed the support. However I went inexpensive, a Dynex from Best Buy and I put a Calumet (manfrotto copy) tilt head on it. So far it works great and I have very little invested.

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.

Ditto . . .

bobbyz wrote in post #13549644
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.

Seriously, try comparing hand-held, even with IS, against a supported camera/lens combo and there is a difference up well past the typical hand-held speeds. Many people overestimate their ability to hand-hold. I recognize I'm not as steady as I used to be, so I'll use whatever support I can whenever I can.

Yeah I know but I thought what the hell , I am planning on getting some bigger lenses in the future and the Gitzo will handle anything that on plan on getting, it also just looks and feels so good , think i have got a problem

Also forgot to add that the Gitzo fully extended goes way over my head which can be very helpful for birds in flight / up trees.

I'm debating a monopod, too. I'm going to be in Europe next summer, and really considering a monopod.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13549506
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

The dude on the left actually plays it pretty cool. I probably wouldn't have handled it that well...

Panning by hand and panning on a 'pod are too very different motions.

Consider where the rotational point is located for each technique.

The one major plus of a monopod is that it supports the weight of the lens so your arms can stay loose and relaxed.

I don't have steady hands and I could do 1/125 at 400mm with older IS of 100-400L. Sometimes monopod is cumbersome. I use mainly for sports. For BITs nothing beats hand held IMHO. Once you get used to it HH 500mm f4 IS is not that hard.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #13551774
Panning by hand and panning on a 'pod are too very different motions.

Consider where the rotational point is located for each technique.

Panning on a 'pod can be two different motions, depending on how you are hold the 'pod.

How else does one hold a 'pod beyond resting on the ground?

I've found monopods great for filming events. You can keep your camera steady and still be mobile.