How effective is a monopod?

I have never used a monopod, and even though they come with ball head, I personally a bit doubtful about their effectiveness. I do agree it helps us to eliminate camera shake at least in one axis, but does it really help with long Telephoto?

Any suggestion for a good cheap one? Not willing to spend another fortune for a Carbon fibre with Arca Swiss Ball Head and risking a rift in the conjugal life

I use an aluminum Monfrotto monopod. It has just a simple friction head. It was relatively inexpensive and I find it quite effective when used with my 70-200 F2.8L non IS lens.

The BIG trick to this is a three point stance; then it is as good or better (only in regard to fast function) as a standard tripod. But it takes practice.

Your right foot (or left) on the bottom foot of the monopod. Brace the opposite knee against the verticle beam. Keep a tight clamp; feet close together. Now you have two very stable points.

The third is the key. That is the hand-shoulder-press-against-the-knee action. Try not to press against the femoral pulse or get good at anticipating heartbeats.

Bottom line: You need to have one. Take your WORST handheld shot and compare against the monopod. You Won't leave Home Without It!

You may, however, leave the American Express behind, but the monopod will be like your best lens.

Thanks folks. So the bottom line is go and get a monopod huh?

Chris--

Any chance you can "dumb it down a shade" for us "slow" folks? My wife and I have been trying to figure out the "monopod stance" you are describing all night! I'll have to say it's been pretty amusing though! haha

--Brandon

Add me to that list please! Been trying to figure it out here too. Even took out the broom to see if having a prop would help...but the efforts have been futile to say the least.

Kharim

While we're all waiting for Chris' snapshot, preferably with a professional model, I have a suggestion I seldom see -- except when I make it myself.

Buy two lengths of small-diameter elastic cord so you can tie your monopod to a railing, or the leg of a chair you're sitting on, or to a tree (angled, so your camera has room to move). You'll then have a support as stable as a tripod that doesn't take up a tripod's worth of public area.

This presumes you're using a ballhead, by the way. And I actually carry three different lengths to wrap around different diameter things -- for real style, you don't want to be using your tree-wrapper around a chair leg.

I used this technique for a shot at the Foreign Correspondents Club where there was no room for a tripod. I just lashed the monopod to the railing -- and once it was tied, no one expected me to move as they might if I were just carrying it around. I had literally staked out my spot.

Monopod Photo Link

Oops, you have a challenge!

Don's got a good idea.

I have had a Mini-tripod for about 10 years that works extremely well. It has about 6 inch legs and a little ball head with plastic clamps. It folds into a small package, then has a velcro strap to attach it to things. I have attached it to limbs, set on rocks etc. Even though this worked great, it is sometimes too small. I will now be throwing in a couple of velcro staps to use with my monopod.

I bought some straps at Lowe's some time ago that are about 12" long with a little metal O on the end which were marketed as rope lashes. They are going to be perfect. Thanks for the idea.

Can't wait for Chris' pictorial.

Go Chris go, we are all waiting to see it! I have borrowed 8) idea from Kharim and Don, all ready with a broomstick and bungee cord.

Seriously, any good tips on proper usage and stance with Monopod will be a great help. Don, you have shoot beautiful sharp pictures, but what is the 14mm focal length equivalent of G1 to a 35mm format? I am looking for some Monopod shooting tips with focal length 480mm or above in 35mm format.

Soumya

OK, you people remind me of the time I was going to beat up the school bully. I had quite a fan club behind me that day but fell flat on my butt with that effort as well!

Brandon, Khogan, Eric F, Soumya, et. all; Don Ellis has a great method that also works well when a fast getaway is not an issue. With me, the exit is ALWAYS the main issue.8)

The traditional tripod has nothing to do with your body. You can breath, scratch, frown, and flow blood to your heart's content without involving the camera in most circumstances. The monopod, however, must by design become a part of your body and only practice will determine the maximum gain in stops you can achieve.

Let's step through the three points:

As with Don's method, the most important part of the monopod is the foot. We will have three points, but the foot will be the most stable. Mount your camera, extend the monopod, and step on the "foot" with your right shoe. You can reverse this to the left if you want after the illustration. Assume a comfortable stance, six inches between your feet, toes pointed forward (important), with the knees very slightly bent. You have point one under your right foot.

Place your elbows against your ribs (lightly) as you grip the camera on both sides keeping the camera vertical with your subject. Some people even feel better with the thumb of one hand pressed lightly against a cheekbone for additional stability. This is point two.

Point three will determine your ultimate success and will require the most "feel". Move your left foot slightly forward, three or four inches, and press your left knee to the right against the vertical beam of the monopod. By having the toes straight forward, you will notice the left knee is already pointed slightly toward the right and will make ready contact with the beam. You can vary the pressure you apply with your left knee against the beam to give the most stable feel to your hands. Avoid using your hands to apply pressure against your left knee. Your hands should already be locked in place on the camera with the determination not to move. The only variable part of this "body tripod" should be your left knee against the vertical beam of the monopod, pressing toward the right. You will know when the amount of pressure feels right for you.

This will, as I said, take a little practice. If done correctly, you should feel very good even right at first. Don't be discouraged by normal body sway and the effects of breathing. You will quickly learn to control these as you practice. I have found that it is better to compose and focus, etc., before you apply the left knee pressure. The less time spent in the actual firing position, the better due to natural fatigue caused by an un-natural body position.

The ideal situation for the monopod is the example in Don's post. The photographer can brace against the table in this photo and have two very stable points; the foot at the bottom and the table in the center of the beam. Just remember that the monopod, like the tripod, must have three points.

I hope this will help even though it is long winded. Verbal pictures are all I had tonight as the professional model went to bed early.:O