Monopod-Is it worth having?

WillyB

WillyB

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I am wondering about getting a monopod but not sure if it is necessary. (I do already have a tripod) Thinking of less weight to carry really.
Any views please?
My lenses do have VR.
 
For lightweight consumer lenses with VR, I wouldn't bother it's just something else to have to carry about.
 
Ok, thanks. I was mainly thinking about landscape and wild bird photography while out rambling.
 
I use one with my 200-400mm f/4 - almost essential.
 
Mmmm, that's two entirely different views now. Any more thoughts please?
 
awp said:
I use one with my 200-400mm f/4 - almost essential.
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Perhaps it's worth asking the op if it's something like that, or a 300 f/2.8, then a monopod might be useful. If it's something like a 55-200, or a 70-300 VR then it's pointless.
 
I almost always use a monopod, much easier and quicker to set up than a tripod and takes the weight off your shoulders, depends on what you like to take photos of I suppose.

But as mentioned above, if you have a fairly short focal length and/or light camera setup with VR, then it probably isn't necessary.
 
Well my lens is only a 70-300 VR and the camera a D5000. I suppose what I should ask is, is VR better than using a pod?
 
Right, that does put it into context. So to sum up it would appear I would be wasting my money?
 
WillyB said:
Right, that does put it into context. So to sum up it would appear I would be wasting my money?
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YES - it's that's what you are going to use it with. You can hand hold that lens easily - for hours. I hand hold the 200-400mm as well - but if I'm using it for a long time - monopod!
 
I prefer handheld but if that's not possible/preferable I use a tripod, it's probably me but I couldn't get on with a monopod at all, it seemed to be working against me!
 
WillyB said:
I am wondering about getting a monopod but not sure if it is necessary. (I do already have a tripod) Thinking of less weight to carry really.
Any views please?
My lenses do have VR.
Click to expand...

Depends what you are using it for. I can tell you at most agency photographers will only carry a monopod.

For me, the monopod gives you a great mix of movement and stability but it really depends what you are shooting.
 
i find that mono pod can double up as a hiking stick too while out and about on rough ground.many a time i have used mine more for hiking than having camera on.
martin
 
im buying a manfroto one from a friend for £20 for my 70-200 tomoz so ill let you know how it goes :D
 
Thanks to all for replies. It seems there is no real answer but personal preference. Maybe a monopod would be a bit belt and braces for the lens I possess.
The other thing I have gleaned from this discussion is that most people are using , or not using, because of the weight of the lens. I was thinking more about sharpness, although I suppose the two are linked.
Thanks again.
 
It's not necessarily the weight of the lens, but the focal length of these lenses are generally longer which means a faster shutter speed is needed to avoid camea shake...the monopod gives more stabilisation and so saves a stop or so. Saying that, I've just got back from the banger racing where I used a 50/1.4 in the dark, and the monopod was a big help with the panning...
 
OK. Another thought, would you use VR with a monopod?
 
I'd say a monopod is fairly pointless if the lens has IS/VR, unless it's so heavy that you need something to take the weight.

I've used mine on my (non-IS) 10-22 indoors and it worked superbly, providing a good amount of stabilisation in the low light whilst being easily collapsible and portable.
 
The only time i used to use my monopod was for certain shots at motorsport events.:):thumbs:
 
WillyB said:
I am wondering about getting a monopod but not sure if it is necessary. (I do already have a tripod) Thinking of less weight to carry really.
Any views please?
My lenses do have VR.
Click to expand...

I use my monopod quite a bit because it's so portable. Even with VR lenses, there are times it's useful in low light situations. It's also useful for shooting a sequence of shots you're planning on using for a panorama when you're someplace that carrying a tripod would be awkward. A nice monopod is not an expensive piece of equipment, either.
 
I use a monopod frequently for landscapes despite having a DSLR with inbuilt stabilisation, this probably seems overkill but personally I find it very useful in ensuring critical sharpness, especially if lighting conditions are not great or if hiking around the mountains in breezy conditions - I use a CF one and considering how little it weighs I take it with my always when I don't have the tripod

Simon
 
My heaviest setup weighs around 3.5kg inc 1D 24-40 and 580EX. I haven't used monopod ever with my digital kit as I can't be bothered. If I really need stabilisation I call for my tripod.

Having said that - I happily used it with 300mm f/2.8 FD lens and ISO200 film
 
Whether you need a monopod or tripod really depends on how strong your arms are and how steady your hands are.

My friend, colleague and fellow TPer Andy Swinden can quite easilly hand hold my Canon 550D with a Sigma 150-500mm attached. Unfortunately, I'm a couple of decades older than he is so I need extra support!
 
WillyB said:
OK. Another thought, would you use VR with a monopod?
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Yes. Most definitely. VR (or IS in my case) is on whenever I've got my hand on the camera when taking the shot. I'll switch it off (if I remember) when I'm using a rock-solid tripod with a remote shutter release.

As for when to use a monopod; for me I would handhold everything that didn't really need a tripod. Until I started shooting video - then I realised that a monopod really helped keep things steady.
 
manualfocus-g said:
I use a monopod to aid with wildlife (long lenses) and hiking...particularly useful at the zoo too! But...I use it most when panning at motorsport events for which it is essential IMO.
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I have just purchased a monopod today a Manfrotto 679B and a 234RC head mainly for motorsports. Not really sure how I am going to get on with it yet but last year when I went to Lemans Motogp my arms were pounding after carrying my gripped 50D and 100-400 for hours each day, especially in the heat. Figured for the money it was worth trying..
 
I wouldn't exclude the use based on the weight of your setup.

A monopod and tripod's primary function is to stabilise the camera, weight support is a secondary benefit.

Anyone could handhold a 50mm 1.8 for example all day long, but if you can't hold it steady do you exclude the monopod due to the camera & lens being of low weight?

£30-40quid and it will last you 10years for your intermittent usage , add a head and it will cost you around £5 p.a. over the course of the decade.
 
Thanks everyone for taking the trouble to reply with advice. I think I could hand-hold my fairly lightweight set-up OK. I was thinking more of stability and sharpness. I may have to give one a go.
 
Just try a cheep second hand one off eBay.
Think about how much it will extend though. You don't want to be stooping to use it all the time. And don't go to the other extreme and get a really well made one that extends forever because it will weigh too much and just like a tripod you'll never take it any where.

Oh, and yes a ball head is still useful on them.

Oh 2, and don't buy the Manffrotto one with the three little legs that come out the bottom. It still moves around too much and falls over, and they rattle all the time! (Dohhh!)
 
I never feel I have the use for a monopod until I take it out with me and use it and although I wouldnt call it essential I do find it useful for panning, it takes away the need to think about the vertical axis..

I think for the price you can pick up a decent one for nowadays they are a handy item to have in your collection, maybe not essential for some but still handy..
 
I use this monopod when using my Sigma 170-500mm lens.

Seems to do the job well enough and saves me lots of arm-ache and blurry shots :lol:
 
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