Best way to steady a monopod?

i know what you mean
when doing bugs in macro i tend to use mine at an angle, say about 30 deg to the vertical. i do this mainly as it gives more focusing options, as i focus with moving in and out with the camera. yesterday at the wildlife park i was hooking the leg between the rails of the fences, really well braced for the long distance shots
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
Any one get any good tips on the best way to use a monopod. I don't seem to be very succesful with mine.
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hi barbara...i was talking to a photographer who was taking the "official" shots for a bike trackday at pembrey a few weeks back,and he suggested wearing a belt type thing with a "cup" of some kind to place the monopod in,but i think he was talking about panning shots.other than that,i guess just get the camera/monopod at the height you need it,pod as steady as possible....the rest is as hand held shooting...
 
stan the man said:
hi barbara...i was talking to a photographer who was taking the "official" shots for a bike trackday at pembrey a few weeks back,and he suggested wearing a belt type thing with a "cup" of some kind to place the monopod in,but i think he was talking about panning shots.other than that,i guess just get the camera/monopod at the height you need it,pod as steady as possible....the rest is as hand held shooting...
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Thank you Mark, I saw that cup thing on the second link above, but that would just be more belts and straps. Hubby says I look like a bondage expert when out walking - what a cheek he's got.:lol:
 
A little tip I have if sitting, is to trap the monopod between my legs for extra stability.
If standing I always find it helps to lean against something for a little extra steadiness.

Apart from that it's down to practice...Not easy to master at first, but you'll get it :thumbs:
 
You're welcome, hillwalkinggirl.
I've found no. 2 in http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3 to be the most stable one for me when shooting macros (although I did use a monopod while shooting a macro only once so far). You have to have a long enough monopod, though. I also press the monopod a little against the ground.
 
That's some really great info for using monopod's, however mine is just a cheap Vanguard model bought from Jessops about 7 yrs ago, & it has a folding bracket to put your foot on. This a great anchor & I've never really had any problem with it, the required posture comes quite natural.
:shrug:
 
What monopod do you have? Manfrotto make a spiked foot that fits models like the 680B, which would be a good one for the sort of shots you do. It makes the monopod very stable, in fact I've actually put one of my lighter cameras on it and it will stand up all by itself. The spike costs about £15
 
My advice:

Hold the camera, not the monopod;
stay as close to the 1/focal length rule as you can;
Create a tripod with your feet and the extra leg;
Lean against something if available;
Use a tripod collar on longer length lenses;
 
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