Tripod, or monopod?

E

Eidetic

Suspended / Banned
Messages
15
Edit My Images
Yes
I purchased my first DSLR last week (Canon 400) and after taking it out for the day I soon realised that a tripod or monopod is a necessity. I'm leaning more towards a monopod due to the better portabilty (and cost), but I'm concerned about how stable the platform they provide is.

Answers to the following questions would be appreciated:
What do you use? Is a monopod stable? How heavy on average are tripods? What tripod/monopod represents value for money?
 
For tripod check out Redsnapper, there are loads of good reviews on here, the are very good value. (Infact, their monopods are probably worth looking at if you decide to go down that route).

My take on the tri/monopod situation is that a monopod is there to take weight of a heavy lens and provide a slightly stabler platform to shoot from, however if you want to do long exposures etc a tripod is the only way to go.
 
A monopod is nowhere near as stable as a tripod obviously, but I use my monopod 10 times more than I use the tripod. But get yourself a good one with a grip style release. Much easier to use.
 
Thanks for the reponses. Given the stability issue I think I'm going to go for a tripod - I hope to get some nice long exposure shots (although I'm sure I'll get a load of funny looks when I set it up in Chester zoo, etc lol.)

Can anyone recommend a good/cheap red snapper one? I had a look at some and I was unsure which to go for due to the different styles. For instance, what are the pro's/con's of a 4 section base www.aldine.co.uk/redsnapper/tripod-284.html

And a 3 section base http://www.aldine.co.uk/redsnapper/tripod-283.html

I'm also unsure of what head to go for. I guess the benefit of a ball head is a greater degree of movement? What are the benefits of a 3 way panning head? Is a pistol grip for quick release? What is its range of movement like?
 
just an fyi, chester zoo and similar places might well have an issue with people using tripods... certainly in some places such as trafalgar square, the difference between 'professional' and therefore needing a license and permit, and 'amateur' is setting up a tripod.
 
FWIW I have the 283, I'm assuming that the 4 section legs just fold up smaller, but it takes long enough extending 6 sections, so 9 would be a pain.

I'm using a ball head (Manfrotto so that the plates are interchangeable with my Dad's set up) and it is much quicker to line up shots than the 3 way head my Dad uses, there is also the option to pan without loosening the ball, so that has the best of both worlds.
 
If you are going to spend most of your budget on a tripod for the stability of it then have a look at 7dayshop for a monopod. They have an own brand one for about £12 delivered that will be sufficient to support a modestly big lens. I packs up pretty small so you'll find you take it with you more than you will with a tripod.

It all depends on the kind of photography you'll be doing though.
 
itsdavedotnet said:
just an fyi, chester zoo and similar places might well have an issue with people using tripods... certainly in some places such as trafalgar square, the difference between 'professional' and therefore needing a license and permit, and 'amateur' is setting up a tripod.
Click to expand...

I've had no problems with tripod at Chester or any other UK zoo I've been too.
 
Hi and welcome. I think the requirement for a monopod vs tripod really depends on what you want to shoot, and what problems you are experiencing at the moment.

For landscape / long exposure type stuff a tripod is required. No doubt. In addition a remote shutter release and shooting with the mirror locked up all help to reduce softness due to camera shake.

Monopods tend to be more for sports / action stuff - steadying up a heavy, long or telephoto lens.

What is your 'necessity' or problem? Are you just finding your new camera too heavy? Or could it be something that can be sorted out by changing technique or tweaking camera settings? Let us know what issues you are experiencing and we'll try and sort you out!
 
-Rob- said:
If you are going to spend most of your budget on a tripod for the stability of it then have a look at 7dayshop for a monopod. They have an own brand one for about £12 delivered that will be sufficient to support a modestly big lens. I packs up pretty small so you'll find you take it with you more than you will with a tripod.

It all depends on the kind of photography you'll be doing though.
Click to expand...

I found this one http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=99658 - looks pretty good, is that the one you were talking about?


Freester said:
Hi and welcome. I think the requirement for a monopod vs tripod really depends on what you want to shoot, and what problems you are experiencing at the moment.

For landscape / long exposure type stuff a tripod is required. No doubt. In addition a remote shutter release and shooting with the mirror locked up all help to reduce softness due to camera shake.

Monopods tend to be more for sports / action stuff - steadying up a heavy, long or telephoto lens.

What is your 'necessity' or problem? Are you just finding your new camera too heavy? Or could it be something that can be sorted out by changing technique or tweaking camera settings? Let us know what issues you are experiencing and we'll try and sort you out!
Click to expand...


I'll mostly be shooting landscapes, sunset/rises, nature, maybe do a few weddings for £ if I get good enough, a bit of macro stuff, star trails and eventually I hope to emmulate stuff like this - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...light-sources-shine-straight-camera-lens.html

I don't drive, so I can't imagine it'll be convenient to take a tripod with me everywhere I go (I realise one is essential for the long exposure stuff, though.) I was finding it tricky holding the camera steady for anymore than a second, so if a monopod like the one I've linked on this post will resolve that, I'll most likely go for both.

Anyone think it'd be worth paying the extra £25 for this red snapper monopod http://www.aldine.co.uk/redsnapper/tripod-monopod-ballhead.html ? I notice it doesn't have a foot plate to stand on, which I guess would help quite a bit? Or a spirit level - which is a nice gimmick :)

So what are the pro's/con's of the different heads?
I'm assuming that a ball head will only really come into its own when doing things like sports, where the camera angle is likely to change frequently, no?
If that's the case I probably wouldn't miss a ball head, as I'd just adjust the tripod itself.
 
A tripod can be used for any sort of shot, from a normal shutter speed to one of several seconds or longer

A monopod is really to prevent camera shake, and is a form of 'image stabilisation'. It will allow use of a shutter speed several stops slower than you could use handheld, but you cannot really use it for longer shutter speeds.
 
I have both and find that a mono pod is handy when you are out and about somewhere where you are moving about quite a lot or in town doing candids. A tripod (in my opinion) is a must though!!
 
andrewc said:
A monopod is really to prevent camera shake, and is a form of 'image stabilisation'. It will allow use of a shutter speed several stops slower than you could use handheld, but you cannot really use it for longer shutter speeds.
Click to expand...

Indeed two different beasts, but what ever you decide buy the best you can, as if you go cheap, very soon down the line you will want better, there are also monopods that have small legs that pop out the end to double as a tripod, can't think who make them now but a google search should find them ;)
 
I just ordered 1x RSM-284 Monopod & RSH-20 Mini Ball Head and 1x 283 Tripod and RSH-528 3-Way Head Kit. Which seems like a pretty good deal for about £110, including next day delivery :)
 
Eidetic said:
I just ordered 1x RSM-284 Monopod & RSH-20 Mini Ball Head and 1x 283 Tripod and RSH-528 3-Way Head Kit. Which seems like a pretty good deal for about £110, including next day delivery :)
Click to expand...

Hope you got it with the discount from being a member here !
 
Eidetic said:
I just ordered 1x RSM-284 Monopod & RSH-20 Mini Ball Head and 1x 283 Tripod and RSH-528 3-Way Head Kit. Which seems like a pretty good deal for about £110, including next day delivery :)
Click to expand...

You won't be disappointed. I have Redsnapper monopod with their ballhead and CF 283 tripod with their larger ballhead. The quality is top notch. Regarding your questions about ballhead vs. 3-way head - it is rather personal. I had used a 3-way head before on my compact tripod before the Redsnapper but now use ballhead and find it better. To me ballhead gives slightly better control and easy and fast movement in all directions (of course this is personal and not everyone will agree).
 
aligibbs said:
Hope you got it with the discount from being a member here !
Click to expand...

Yeah. I actually asked if he would further reduce due to buying both, but he rightly pointed out that 10% off is already a good deal.

dalex_257 said:
To me ballhead gives slightly better control and easy and fast movement in all directions (of course this is personal and not everyone will agree).
Click to expand...

That seems to be most people's view, but most of the things I'll be shooting will be stationary so I doubt I'll regret not splashing the extra 25 quid.
 
Eidetic said:
I found this one http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=99658 - looks pretty good, is that the one you were talking about?
Click to expand...

Actually no, that's the 'deluxe' version that has a tilting head on it. The version I have and the one I was referring to is this one which is even cheaper now than when I bought it.

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=99657

For just a basic monopod to give your arms a rest when shooting with a largeish lens then it's ideal. I have mine in the boot of the car all the time just in case I need it.
 
One thing I would add about having a small selection of supports (tripod, monopod, clamp etc) is that it's worth getting QR platforms and plates to make them all compatible. All my bodies and lenses with feet have Manfrotto PL-14 plates on them and all the supports accept them. Saves faffing around trying to remember where the QR plate for the monopod is when you've got the plate for the tripod mounted on the body you want to use.

If you're only going to have a tripod OR a monopod and not both, then go for the tripod. Reason? You can extend only 1 leg of a tripod and use it as a monopod but it ain't so easy to conjoure up anothr 2 legs from a monopod.
 
Just bought one of those 7dayshop Monopods, can't really go wrong for £9.39 delivered

Or can you?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top