shooting portrait on monopod

patwill wrote in post #8947925
You shouldn't be having those kinds of problems if you are using shutter speeds fast enough to freeze the action in sports, especially for daylight shooting like you show in the picture. If you are not shooting at 1/500 at the very least, you might want to try moving your ISO setting up a notch or two. For daytime, it would only be with a long telephoto, like 400 or longer, that your shutter speed wouldn't be fast enough to eliminate any blur from camera shake.

+1...shouldn't need a monopod for sports unless it's a 300mm or bigger.

Chris, I'd have to disagree with you about not using the monopod for lenses under 300. I frequently use it with my 70-200 especially during playoffs as there are some opportunities to switch between lenses after the game for trophies and such.

It's also handy for those of us with just one camera when I switch between two lenses as it keeps my main lens at the ready on the monopod.

SwiftFootTim wrote in post #8966312
Chris, I'd have to disagree with you about not using the monopod for lenses under 300. I frequently use it with my 70-200 especially during playoffs as there are some opportunities to switch between lenses after the game for trophies and such.

It's also handy for those of us with just one camera when I switch between two lenses as it keeps my main lens at the ready on the monopod.

I guess I don't understand why you need a monopod to switch lenses. My backup camera is in the shop and I switch lenses all the time near the goal line during football, monopod doesn't help that situation. Buy an R-strap, they work great with or without a second body.

chris270 wrote in post #8966427
I guess I don't understand why you need a monopod to switch lenses. My backup camera is in the shop and I switch lenses all the time near the goal line during football, monopod doesn't help that situation. Buy an R-strap, they work great with or without a second body.

For sports like soccer, I don't think you can switch lenses fast enough given how fast the action moves up and down the field. At least I can't do it, and that's why I try to take two bodies with me.

In case someone hasn't hit on this. Never ever use a ball head on a monopod. That is not a safe practice.

Sibil wrote in post #8966576
For sports like soccer, I don't think you can switch lenses fast enough given how fast the action moves up and down the field. At least I can't do it, and that's why I try to take two bodies with me.

Definitely, I usually only use a 300 for soccer and lacrosse anyways. But thats not the point, we are talking about monopods...hehe

canonnoob wrote in post #8966989
In case someone hasn't hit on this. Never ever use a ball head on a monopod. That is not a safe practice.

Why, what's not safe about it? I don't have a head on either of my monopods but most birders do.

Sledhed wrote in post #8968748
Why, what's not safe about it? I don't have a head on either of my monopods but most birders do.

if the ball head loosens even the smallest amount the lens could tip and fall and cause significant damge. I used to use ball heads until I saw on fail on. Monopod.personally its too risky

With that reasoning you shouldn't use one on a tripod either, the same thing could happen.

I'm basing it off of first hand experience watching it happen. So you don't have to but..