Is a mono pod really that useful?

I have a manfrotto neotec with trigger grip that is really handy. In the summer I used it to get shots at 1.3s (braced) because I didn't have a tripod with me.

Nick_C wrote in post #2360838
Surely a monopod cant get you sharp results at slower shutter speeds? ok you have managed to remove any vertical movement but you still have to hold the camera+monopod steady from horizontal movement, I guess you could lean it up against a wall or something..

Ive never really looked into monopods much, ive got a Manfrotto 190 ProB with the 804RC2 head as a little Christmas present

Nick

Of course there are limits and the monopod effect is more effective in the vertical direction. Perhaps an illustrative example:

The following show a 100% crop around the center focus point with IS off in the following order; tripod, handheld and monopod, 300mm f4L IS lens 1/8th second:

In my opinion, a monopod's usefulness is much more for taking the weight off my arms when holding a long lens for a long time "at the ready" than it is for being a tripod substitute.

As you can see in Lester's photos above, you can be steadier with a monopod than without, but it's no substitute for a tripod when absolute steadiness is the requirement.

However, if you are waiting for some wildlife or sports action and holding the camera/lens aimed at the expected are for the action for a long time, the monopod really helps. You can re-frame the shot much more quickly than if you were using a tripod, but the monopod has taken the strain off your arms, wrist, and fingers for the duration.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #2360882
Of course there are limits and the monopod effect is more effective in the vertical direction. Perhaps an illustrative example:

The following show a 100% crop around the center focus point with IS off in the following order; tripod, handheld and monopod, 300mm f4L IS lens 1/8th second:



And for fun Handheld IS On Mode 1 1/6th of a second:

I rest my case your honour.

Thanks for those, very interesting results there, so a standard tripod is always the best, a monopod I can see does make it a little less blurry though, I have a 350D so luckily weight isnt an issue as with 30D owners, using a monopod to ease the heavy loads is a good idea though.

Nick

Nick_C wrote in post #2361526
Thanks for those, very interesting results there, so a standard tripod is always the best, a monopod I can see does make it a little less blurry though, I have a 350D so luckily weight isnt an issue as with 30D owners, using a monopod to ease the heavy loads is a good idea though.

Nick

Well that was my big near 4Kg tripod, a benbo with a Kirk BH-1 head and mirror lockup, so it is probably as good as it gets assuming minimal AF error. Even so, out of the wind my light tripod (1.1Kg) will do nearly as well although the 300mm is getting a bit big for it. Now a lot of people I expect use even heavy more solid tripods than that.

A tripod is always best but it is amazing how much a monopod helps.

I think I am getting a Manfrotto monopod for Christmas. my parents the other day were asking what I wanted for christmas and I mentioned a monopod so today I went out and bought a monopod for them to give to me (they buy it from me). I just wonder though if they'll get the right one lol

Lester Wareham wrote in post #2360882
Of course there are limits and the monopod effect is more effective in the vertical direction. Perhaps an illustrative example:

The following show a 100% crop around the center focus point with IS off in the following order; tripod, handheld and monopod, 300mm f4L IS lens 1/8th second:

And for fun Handheld IS On Mode 1 1/6th of a second:

I rest my case your honour.

Very interesting, although it'd have been even more interesting to have included a test shot with the IS (on) + monopod. I'd bet the result to be lot closer to the shot with the tripod.

cjm wrote in post #2396174
I think I am getting a Manfrotto monopod for Christmas. my parents the other day were asking what I wanted for christmas and I mentioned a monopod so today I went out and bought a monopod for them to give to me (they buy it from me). I just wonder though if they'll get the right one lol

What??!! Are you nuts??!! I'd have mentioned another L lens instead of a monopod!!

sugarzebra wrote in post #2359423
...I bought a Manfrotto 680B monopod and the 486RC2 ball head with quick release. Its the perfect combination of quality & price and I would highly recommend that combination to you.

Some quick looking makes me wonder if you couldn't get about the same result with the BEN109? I can't tell if it is quick release, but it would allow portrait and landscape shooting, and is very reasonably priced.

B&H Page: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Q=&O=productlis​t&sku=4639

SYS wrote in post #2397428
What??!! Are you nuts??!! I'd have mentioned another L lens instead of a monopod!!

I wish but my parents don't have enough money to buy me even a kit lens for Christmas never mind a L lens. In fact the monopod cost $75 but I am going to sell it to them for $50 and chew the $25 extra they dont need to know about. It would have been "cheaper" to buy on online at B&H or on eBay but factor in shipping, and the exchange rate it would have come about the same amount.

Sounds weird to some I am sure knowing what you're getting but this is the silly way my family seems to work. Strange I am sure.

Wait until they see what I got them though, Muhahhahahaha they'll be very surprised.

Ive got all my presents ready for Christmas now, "all" thats a joke, I can count them on a few fingers..

My parents asked me what I wanted so in the end I ordered a few little bits not costing much & they got them for me, that way at least I know im getting something I want & not the dreaded SOCKS & PANTS!!! lol..

I wish Santa would come down my chimney with a few lenses or something, although since the house renovations & the fact that the chimney is now blocked up isnt helping I guess & if he rings on the doorbell at 4am he definately wont get an answer, santa or not!!

Nick

SYS wrote in post #2397420
Very interesting, although it'd have been even more interesting to have included a test shot with the IS (on) + monopod. I'd bet the result to be lot closer to the shot with the tripod.

You can see a lot more IS/Tripod/Monopod/Hand​held evaluations here, the pictures at low shutter speeds just illustrate the point but higher shutter speeds are more practical. Also it is statistically safer to look at trends rather than single points.

However, here are Monopod IS off, Monopod Mode 1 and Monopod Mode 2 at similar speeds.

If it's stability, not support, you are looking for - you may be interested in making a VERY portable tool that appears to have a similar stabalizing effect. A chain that you stand on when taking the photo: http://www.flickr.com …coffeefromhell/​200651868/

i wonder how many stops will a monopod yield vs. handheld. 1-stop?