Any Monopod tips?

Matt

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I bought a monopod today(jessops, £13.....STOP LAUGHING!)

any tips for succesful monopod use?
 
i was kind of hoping for some slightly more sensible replies, but i can see that im not going to get any!

How can monopods be that different between price groups?? i can see the benifits of expensive tripods, but i cant really see where an expensive monopod has advantages
 
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/monopods/ - quite old but that's due to the paucity of information sourced via Google.

I bought a Giotto monopod:

http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/pp/Camera%20Accessories/Tripods/Giottos%20P-Pod%205570%20Multi%20Monopod.html

Beautifully engineered, strong and contains three graphic arms that attached to either the base or head for alleged additional stability. However, whilst theoretically these arms should ensure additional support, they are rather a pain to set up. As a straightforward base, it's adequate so long as it's not windy or a decent zoom is used.

I used mine recently in Switzerland and it was used more as a walking stick with the camera being supported by alternative means, e.g. fences, walls etc.

Hope it helps.
 
The main difference between cheap and expensive mono and tripods is the weight, construction, rigidity etc, i have a really rather cheap tripod, and a really rather expensive one, the expensive one doesnt wobble when its set up, the cheap one does ! the joints etc are so much better on the Gitzo ! I expect that would be the same on a monopod ! Try setting it up at full height with your biggest lens on and see how sturdy it is, if its enough for you then there shouldnt be a problem, only problem may come when you get a heavier lens !

Sorry cant help with the hints etc as i have never used a monopod, in fact have only ever seen one in a shop !
 
thanks guys

will look at the links later, need to watch a film now....
 
Call me stupid (I know you will), but why hasn't anyone cornered the market for a joint monopod / walking stick?

Marvelously handing things while out on a jolly jaunt with your camera (walking sticks), and it would be doubly handy if they could double up as a monopod.

Obviously I'm talking proper outdoor walking sticks, not one that has been swiped from the local bus stop outside morrisons.
 
EosD said:
I bought a monopod today(jessops, £13.....STOP LAUGHING!)

any tips for succesful monopod use?

Mines much better than yours...I bought one yesterday from Maplins £19.99 :D

Used it for the first time today...very useful and convenient and at first preview the pics look great, bearing in mind how windy it was today and I was on the coast!
 
Marcel said:
Call me stupid (I know you will), but why hasn't anyone cornered the market for a joint monopod / walking stick?

Marvelously handing things while out on a jolly jaunt with your camera (walking sticks), and it would be doubly handy if they could double up as a monopod.

Obviously I'm talking proper outdoor walking sticks, not one that has been swiped from the local bus stop outside morrisons.


you mean like.....

....tadaaa....


http://www.countrysupplies.com/product.asp?dept_id=255&pf_id=gft-289-3569

:)
 
Yup loads about that are combo walking pole/ monopod.

Leki also springs to mind. Now wishing I had got that one rather then the trekkings ones I got
 
Cheers Steve i will look at that..
 
I bought a manfrotto monopod ( 681B ) and then a monopod head ( 234RC ).........don't know why?
To this day I've never used them.

For sports photographers these things are very useful, for me give me a heavy tripod and a head that could be used as an anchor.

Tips for monopods ? .......sorry mate, I have none.

cameron
 
If you get tired, do not under ANY circumstances use your monopod as a makeshift seat. :shock: :shock: :shock:
 
Fully extended, they make a great prod for disturbing wasp's nests for some great action shots.
 
If a situation ever arises where you need to use your monopod as a golf club/cattle prod/baseball bat, its advisable to remove your camera from it first.

This thread's turning into Viz. :D
 
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