mono pod question

Any of you use a mono pod for BIF with a large telephoto lens? I have a gimbal but feel restricted at times and was wondering of a mono pod would be a little more flexible.

Jake (cyberdynesystems) recommended a setup that I use quite often for hiking. I put it over my shoulder with the 500 F4 and go pretty far with it. Sirui L series mono tilt head and manfrotto 680-B with a pad. Really sturdy and didn't break the bank. Took a little practice with panning for BIF.

For birds in flight (or any quick action) I've found that any restriction will make me miss shots. I have a Wimberley and a monopod but when it comes to flight work hand holding is the only way I shoot. I'm not a big guy but I routinely shoot hand holding the 500L (f4) without a problem. I've hand held the 800L (5.6) as well but that's beyond my tolerance for extended lengths of time. It does take practice and you'll learn your fatigue limitations pretty quick. I have a strap that connects to the lens foot plate that helps when resting between action. I will admit that if the action is non-stop for 2-3 hours I do get fatigued. If I did have to shoot with support I would use the Wimberley before a monopod unless you plan to lift the monopod and camera/lens for vertical movement. If that's the case I'd suggest working on hand holding only, and break free of all restriction. I've never been able to get the hang of a heavy camera/lens on a ball head, very awkward.

Birds In Flight:

Hand held = Best (as stated already)
Gimbal = Next best thing.

Monopod with tilt is good for lots but when the birds take flight, I usually "dump the 'pod" and shoot hand held.

There are in fact many cases where a simple monopod with (or even without) a Tilt head can be perfect for BIF, but it's assuming a lot. I steady panning shot location, where you are set up to get the left right, or right left pan. Erratic flight just won't work.


The only way I shoot flight shots with a Pod involved, is under circumstances as described above, or the pod happens to be still attached and now I am hand holding with a 'pod dangling as well, ...


OR I use this;

IMAGE LINK: http://jakehegnauer.ze​nfolio.com/p605089996/​e478cfbf1

Thanks for the replies.

jlstan wrote in post #17720839
Any of you use a mono pod for BIF with a large telephoto lens? I have a gimbal but feel restricted at times and was wondering of a mono pod would be a little more flexible.

I have tried to use a monopod for BIF, but absolutely hated it. . I ended up just picking up the whole contraption and shooting handheld with the monopod hanging down awkwardly from the lens, then removing the darn thing altogether and breathing a sigh of relief. . In my experience, it was far less flexible than the full gimbal on a tripod. .Handheld, of course, is best.

For BIF I feel the mono pod is a restriction. It only worked well when I went out on a shoot and had to sit to get low otherwise it become a pain carrying it around. The unfortunate thing is there will always a time you need some support. Get the smallest lightest cheapest one you can after all its only a ball head on a stick which you will use occasionally.

Gimbal on a monopod solves both the issues listed above, just saying

I've gone out with both a tripod and a monopod (haven't had a Gimbal) but it's to be prepared for "whatever". If I see a BIF I'd shoot handheld, but if I see a more stationary "subject" then I have options. The monopod is nice for settings when there is some action/movement and I'm not so steady on the ground. For a more stable situation (especially with a long focal length) I've gotten good use of a tripod!

It's odd, I have no issues using a monopod and ball head (set with very low friction) for birds in flight, but shooting airshows I can't get it to work, and like Tom Reichner mentioned above, while shooting aircraft I end up with the monopod dangling from a hand held lens. Don't know what's different but it works for me with birds.