any point to a monopod for landscape shots?

so i was thinking of maybe getting a monopod in order to give me some stability when taking landscape shots...i'm going to be doing some traveling, and don't know if i can squeeze in the tripod...so i thought this might be a good idea

is it just a waste of money for this use?...should i just try and find a sturdy surface to put the camera instead?

thanks

A monopod is not a waste

A monopod will provide a solid support whatever you are shooting. At less than 2 pounds, it is light and it is relatively inexpensive.

I use a Manfrotto 681 (which is now called the #3018 and may be named something else next week).

http://www.adorama.com​/BG681.html

This monopod is tall, stable, light and relatively inexpensive ($55.90 at B&H). Usually, you can't have all those parameters in a monopod but, because the 681 is a three section pod, rather than a four section unit - it has those characteistics.

There are only two drawbacks to the 681:

1. Being three sections, it doesn't collapse as short as four section pods. However the three section construction allows it to be lighter and sturdier. It is as light if not lighter than some very expensive carbon fiber tripods. If you can live with a pod that is longer when collapsed, the 681 or 681B is great.

2. My 681 is aluminum color. I wish that I had a 681B (3218B) which is black. That monopod is about the same price as the 681 but, was not available when I purchased my 681.

I use a Kirk MPA head on my pod which Is a Manfrotto monopod 3232 swivel head with a Kirk Arca compatible quick release.

Adorama offers a 681B monopod with a Manfrotto 3232 swivel and quick release for only $70.31. This will accept RC2 plates, not Arca Compatible plates

http://www.adorama.com …anfrotto%20681B​&item_no=2

DreDaze wrote in post #6360523
so i was thinking of maybe getting a monopod in order to give me some stability when taking landscape shots...i'm going to be doing some traveling, and don't know if i can squeeze in the tripod...so i thought this might be a good idea

is it just a waste of money for this use?...should i just try and find a sturdy surface to put the camera instead?

thanks

we used monopods for landscapes on game drives in africa and i thought the results were very good.

ed rader

I also have a Manfrotto 681, but I use a ball head for more flexibility.

cool...thanks for the responses...i originally thought most monopod use was strictly for big lens type shooting...

DreDaze wrote in post #6362156
cool...thanks for the responses...i originally thought most monopod use was strictly for big lens type shooting...

a monopod isn't ideal for landscapes but it sure beats a blank when you're stopped down in less than perfect light.

ed rader

Any support is better than no support at all...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #6362361
Any support is better than no support at all...

Exactly ........

Maxdave

I think there's more benefit to a tabletop tripod for landscapes than there is to a monopod... in fact, even a sand bag I think might be more use than a monopod.

Of course, you could always get both, but I think for landscape use finding a rock ... or maybe a tree/pole to twist a gorillapod around... is going to yield much better results, especially for those longer dusk exposures.

I love monopods, don't get me wrong, but these: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Flexible_Mini_T​ripod.html are just so damned useful in a pinch...

milorad wrote in post #6363541
I love monopods, don't get me wrong, but these: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Flexible_Mini_T​ripod.html are just so damned useful in a pinch...

I have never used one but am afraid to trust my camera on it.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #6362361
Any support is better than no support at all...

Ill second that!

jr_senator wrote in post #6364129
I have never used one but am afraid to trust my camera on it.

I completely understand. I liked the idea of them, but never bought one until I actually picked one up in a store and held it. They're quite stiff, and twisted correctly, there's no chance it'll open unexpectedly.

Worst case scenario is you hang your 70-200 off it, and notice it slowly unbending... but really its not designed for super-heavy lenses, which thankfully most wider-angle lenses are not.

because I'm paranoid too, I tend to wrap my camera strap around the object as well, so if the gorillapod does let go, my camera still isn't going anywhere.

They're really a very awesome little toy to have tucked in the camera bag for those unexpected opportunities.

milorad wrote in post #6363541
I think there's more benefit to a tabletop tripod for landscapes than there is to a monopod... in fact, even a sand bag I think might be more use than a monopod.

Of course, you could always get both, but I think for landscape use finding a rock ... or maybe a tree/pole to twist a gorillapod around... is going to yield much better results, especially for those longer dusk exposures.

I love monopods, don't get me wrong, but these: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Flexible_Mini_T​ripod.html are just so damned useful in a pinch...

thanks for the idea...i used to have a gorillapod for my s2...i didn't know that they made them sturdy enough for a SLR/lens combo...i do feel that unless i'm wrapping it around something, that i'd be better off just putting the camera on the sturdy surface that the pod is going to sit on...

ed rader wrote in post #6362292
a monopod isn't ideal for landscapes but it sure beats a blank when you're stopped down in less than perfect light.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #6362361
Any support is better than no support at all...

What they said.

DreDaze wrote in post #6364990
thanks for the idea

Cheers and I agree... if you're not using a pole or branch, then you don't want a gorillapod.

As for ideas, my GF just reminded me of something she does, which I think is a damned good idea.

She keeps one of those small inflatable travel pillows folded up in her camera bag. They take up like no space at all, but in a pinch, she'll put two puffs into it and rest her camera on it.

Its not fully inflated, but inflated just enough to stop the camera from sliding or rolling on uneven surfaces like rocks. Also stops unsightly scratching. A few extra puffs and a rubber band will actually help you get just the right angle.

She's much more McGuyver-like about these things than I am, but its hard to find her unprepared, even when she's only got a small camera bag with her.