Monopods - who uses them and what for?

superpippo

superpippo

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Alan
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I would like advice from anyone who uses monopods and for what purpose. Presumably they are better than merely handholding in many circumstances but may have drawbacks - if so, what are the pros and cons?

One advantage that i would foresee is lightness and portability - am I right?
 
For: lightness and portability. Also significantly less bulky than a tripod.

Against: not as steady as a tripod.

I use a monopod with my medium length zoom since the camera and lens are just too heavy to hand hold steady.
 
I've got a techtrek monopod which also doubles up as a walking pole. At a push you can undo a strap and it becomes a rudimentary tripod.
 
I've got one and can't say that it offers to much advantage over being hand held with a 24-105 lens.

I do use it though as a light stand for my strobes sometimes with the aid of string gaffer tape etc.
 
For motorsport it's pretty standard kit for long zooms and primes.
 
I use it as a method of scaring the poo out of anyone who might even think about nicking my gear :)
 
foggy4ever said:
For motorsport it's pretty standard kit for long zooms and primes.
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Indeed. Either stick it on the floor, or stick it in a belt mouted pouch for free movement and support.
 
Totally great for pointing telephoto at water for 3 hours waiting for a dolphin to jump out, holds the camera at right angle, and fast to rotate side to side.
 
Some people use them attached to a softbox, makes for an easy cheap human boom stand on location :)
 
Long lens action.
 
beating and threatening drunk photobombers... uh, I mean, no, uh, monopods are clearly a useful support tool >_>

I've been known to grab one when %(@&* managers don't give me pit access and I need to long tele up from the back of a gig, and I could see how they're useful for sport :/ Don't own one though, other than as a boom (which a manfrotto nano with the legs together does fine for) don't have that much need with the stuff I shoot really :)
 
Supporting a camera and 300mm 2.8 lens for sporting events. Also for weddings when using a longer lens (70-200) inside a dingy church where you are forced into a slow shutter speed but dont have the room or location flexibility to put a tripod.
 
I'm rubish at taking hand held so when out and about i use a monopod. I went to Brighton on new years day and found it to be great at keeping the camera steady especially when up against railings or whatever.

I would get the lightest one you can. I bought mine from Redsnapper and it's really good.
 
I use mine with my 70-200 but i find it is easier to use hand held really.
 
A bloody good tool for helping you get up after kneeing down I find. :D
 
bigNeil said:
Totally great for pointing telephoto at water for 3 hours waiting for a dolphin to jump out, holds the camera at right angle, and fast to rotate side to side.
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aye, thats what I bought mine for, and what its been mostly used for too - tis far too much like hard work to be stood there for hours holding the camera up wating for the dolphins to come a leaping.

Lucky you being to close to them - would love to be able to pop across when I felt like it, but its a bit of a trek from South London. Have already got a cottage booked for this coming summer though :D Do say hello to Charlie and Big Al next time you're over there for me
 
bought me 1 never used it. extra stuff to carry i find it
 
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