Tripods or monopods?

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Gixasix

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I'm looking for my first tripod and totally confused!
There seems to be loads of different options and prices. I don't want to rush out and buy the wrong thing then need to replace it when it falls to bits 2 months later or i discover i've bought the wrong thing!

I was looking at tripods then a friend suggested monopods as i've been doing a lot of sports and motorsport photography he reckons a monopod would be better for this type of stuff as it's easier to move around quickly.

Monopods seem ideal for the sports side of things but i do want to try more landscape and hopefully some macro shots which i'm guessing would be best with a tripod.

Anybody got any advice on which one to go for,any brands or models i should look at and how much i need to spend on it to get something that will last a few years?

Thanks:)
 
I've got a tripod and a monopod. I hardly ever use the tripod but the monopod is always with me. I've used to have a cheap on and a year or so ago bought a Manfroto 685B.

It cost about £90 from Whorehouse Express and it seems perfect. Chunky and strong and easy to use and it looks the part too. I really can't think of a way they could make it better.
 
Tripods will have little to no use for motorsport but is much, much more useful for landscapes. I have a cheap tripod and haven't even considered taking it along for motorsport stuff - even though its quite lightweight, its too bulky to carry about and too slow to set up.

All depends what you are going to do more of I suppose.
 
I would go for the tripod personally. You have many more options and can support the camera at much lower and higher perspectives (which will usually get you better composition). It is also much more stable allowing for greater DOF.

The monopod on the other hand is lighter and less obstructive when taking pictures in crowded areas. You can at a push use a tripod in the same manner as the monopod by keeping the legs together, but this is heavy to hold in position.
 
If you're doing the genres you say, you really need both IMHO..

Mark
 
Thanks for the replies:)

markta said:
If you're doing the genres you say, you really need both IMHO..

Mark
Click to expand...

I had a horrible feeling that i'd need both but was hoping one or the other would do:lol:

Might get the monopod the save up some cash for a tripod as i'm doing more sports & motorsports than landscape at the moment.

How much should i spend to get a decent monopod? Any other brands worth considering apart from Manfroto?
 
The Manfrotto Neotech 685B is awesome and well worth the money IMHO, especially if you have back problems. All you do is stand on the foot level and pull the head up. Thats all you need to do.

The Giottos range is very good value for money. Saw one of their tripods at Warehouse Express showroom on Friday for £150 including a pretty smooth ballhead:thumbs:

Cheers, Mark

PS. you could probably get away with a monopod for some wildlife but it won't be anything like as steady as a tripod.
 
The Kenro HT-1730 was highly recommended in Photo Plus at the start of the year. About £99 including integrated head..
 
A tripod with only one leg extended makes a great monopod !!!

I rarely need a monopod but have used my tripod like this several times and the extra weight (over a mono) just adds to the feeling of solidity IMO

Just a thought

DD
 
I have both (although someone is borrowing the tripod at the moment) I find I mostly use the monopod, but the tripod is great for when I am sitting waiting for birdies!

Why not look for a secondhand one on here, or put a post in the wanted section, you could get both that way for sensible money.
 
I bought a Manfrotto 682B monopod, it comes with three foldaway legs that make a mini tripod base for it. Handy for keeping the camera in place without you having to hold it up constantly while you're standing trackside. Not really stable enough to leave unattended though.
 
I was heavily deciding on between a mono and a tri for my first purchase as well. I want to do some action photography and yet still do some portraits and landscapes. Ultimately I bought a Vanguard tripod (204 or something like that) and promised myself that one day I'll get a monopod. But for now the tripod seemed like a way better investment.
 
I have both, but hardly ever use either, and I've done a fiar bit of motorsport, wildlfe (but mostly zoos) and recently a few landscapes ...
 
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