Who uses a Monopod?

tijuana taxi

tijuana taxi

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I tried one before, but never got to grips with it.
Suspect it was more down to my technique than anything else.
Recently bought a relatively heavy lens and think a Monopod might come in handy
Even if its only to occasionally relieve me of the weight, but hoping for some stability help too.
Mainly looking for any tips on use and what to look for when buying one
Use will be for wildlife and transport, definitely no BIF photography.

Thanks
 
I use the two section Benbo monopod with a Manfroto ball head.

I find the least bad results come from adjusting the length to place the viewfinder in front of my eye, depending on what angle the camera will be at to frame the image. I keep the ball joint just loose enough to move the camera as required and exert only a little downward pressure on the camera. With long lenses, I fit the head to the lens - not the camera body. That's about all there is to it, in my experience.

This was taken through a 500mm Tamron mirror lens into an Olympus E-PL5...

Crow in a tree 500mm E-PL5 P6200014.jpg
 
Just bought a Leofoto MP-364C (went through Manfrotto,Gittos and Sirui) for my Canon 500mm wildlife/sports. Best Monopod ive used in years. Sturdy build and solid as a rock
 
Yes use one all the time , have got a fairly heavy duty one with an arca Swiss clamp for with a heavy long lens and a lighter one for macro with a manfrotto clamp
both are just Ally ones didn’t see any point in getting a carbon one
 
forgot to say that the main thing I found was that just get something with sturdy legs and check out the clamp system needs to be quick and easy to use
 
Thanks all so far for your comments
AndrewFlannigan said:
I find the least bad results come from adjusting the length to place the viewfinder in front of my eye, depending on what angle the camera will be at to frame the image. I keep the ball joint just loose enough to move the camera as required and exert only a little downward pressure on the camera. With long lenses, I fit the head to the lens - not the camera body. That's about all there is to it, in my experience.
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Agreed, I also intend to fit the lens foot or the lens itself to the head or clamp, too much strain on the camera mount
steelydan said:
Just bought a Leofoto MP-364C (went through Manfrotto,Gittos and Sirui) for my Canon 500mm wildlife/sports. Best Monopod ive used in years. Sturdy build and solid as a rock
Click to expand...
I watched a good review about one of these, want to keep under a hundred quid though if I can.
Graham W said:
I use one happily, but only with lenses with rotating collars.
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Can see the reasoning behind this, lens I recently got does have one
LCPete said:
forgot to say that the main thing I found was that just get something with sturdy legs and check out the clamp system needs to be quick and easy to use
Click to expand...
Thinking about using a ball head or maybe just an Arca q/r clamp.
 
tijuana taxi said:
Thanks all so far for your comments

Agreed, I also intend to fit the lens foot or the lens itself to the head or clamp, too much strain on the camera mount

I watched a good review about one of these, want to keep under a hundred quid though if I can.

Can see the reasoning behind this, lens I recently got does have one

Thinking about using a ball head or maybe just an Arca q/r clamp.
Click to expand...
For the big lens monopod I use an adjustable head was just a cheapie one but quite sturdy for the one I use for macro I do use a sturdy ball head
Mainly found that only need back and forwards tilt adjustment though so ballhead not essential, I just happened to have a spare one
 
LCPete said:
For the big lens monopod I use an adjustable head was just a cheapie one but quite sturdy for the one I use for macro I do use a sturdy ball head
Mainly found that only need back and forwards tilt adjustment though so ballhead not essential, I just happened to have a spare one
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I've got a spare one too, its an older Induro model which locks down securely.
 
Very occasionally I use a monopod but my monopod is heavier than my tripod (because the mono is a Cullman from about 1870 & the lighter tripod is carbon fibre :cool:)
 
I have a Manfrotto 679B that gets used from time to time. Pretty solid item, not too heavy.
Like this one (although mine is in better condition):
www.ebay.co.uk

Manfrotto 679B (679-B) 3-Section Monopod | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Manfrotto 679B (679-B) 3-Section Monopod at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
For sports I don't use a head on the monopod; but I use a Sirui L10 tilt head on it for wildlife... the current fad is a monopod gimbal head (Wimberley MH-100 or similar).

tijuana taxi said:
I've got a spare one too, its an older Induro model which locks down securely.
Click to expand...
Just flop it to the side to duplicate the function of those monopod gimbals. I'm not a big fan of having the lens off to the side (indirect support); but IMO it works better than messing with it wobbling around on top of a ballhead.
 
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sk66 said:
For sports I don't use a head on the monopod; but I use a Sirui L10 tilt head on the monopod for wildlife... the current fad is a monopod gimbal head (Wimberley MH-100 or similar).


Just flop it to the side to duplicate the function of those monopod gimbals. I'm not a big fan of having the lens off to the side (indirect support); but IMO it works better than messing with it wobbling around on top of a ballhead.
Click to expand...
I've seen those tilt heads, can see how they might work well
Won't be getting a gimbal, don't think I would ever find a suitable use for one.
 
FWIW, I've used a bunch of them over the years; old heavy ones, modern high end carbon fiber (Gitzo), etc. The one I use now is a Sirui P-306... the main advantage is that it is compact and light; which means I'm more likely to bring it along. It's also relatively inexpensive. Only rated to 8kg, but I've regularly put about that much on it w/o issue.
 
I have a Manfrotto, had it for years. I don't use it much but when I do I find it quite useful. There is no 'head' as such on it, just the 1/4 inch screw, and any tilting I do comes about through physically tilting the monopod as with my two legs it makes a tripod that is stable at a lot of different angles; I just bend my knees. It's light, about 200grams, and not at all fragile.

Don't pay a lot as even aluminium ones hardly weigh anything so no point forking out for carbon fibre, after all, in the end, it's just a stick, for when you can't find a handy wall to lean on.
 
I use one with a Wimberley monopod head - MH-100.
Good for wildlife and the Wimberley is a lot lighter than a traditional gimbal.
 
Well I went for this one https://www.cameraworld.co.uk/benro-mach3-mma38c-carbon-fibre-monopod-69317.html
Got it for ĺess than my 100 quid limit, looks sturdy and Benro gear is usually decent.
One thing I insist on with twist locks is that the lock rings are solid rubber, plastic or whatever.
Some just have a rubber sleeve that can turn independently of the lock ring.
This can make you think the leg is locked when all you have turned is the rubber sleeve.
Not sure on the end cup thing, but I have a spare rubber foot and spike if needed.

Thanks for all your input, now to see how it works out.
 
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I have a Benro carbon fibre monopod which I use about 90% of the time when I am wildlife shooting, which means using a long lens. I mount the lens foot onto the monopod using a gimbal - same one I use with my tripod - and leave the controls free.
 
Hi, I used to use one with my Leicas (without IS), but I don't any more, because walking around in a city with a monopod, you look somewhat "armed".

Women pick up their children, and people cross the street to avoid you.

On my NIKONs, I use tele lenses with IS, my SONYs have IS, and with my Leicas I try to avoid camera shake ... ---
 
Used a monopod for the first time in anger last weekend, having played previously with a friends! (those with a dirty mind can read into that what they want!) I've bought a Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C -I boughgt this based on teh following - it goes tall enough for what I want, the leveling head is ace, and it has a rotating foot. I used it for motosport, and left thye levelling head slightly loose, so it would follow easily my panning efforts, it worked well, as I came away with far more keepres than usual, and my arms didn't ache.
 
Mr Perceptive said:
Used a monopod for the first time in anger last weekend, having played previously with a friends! (those with a dirty mind can read into that what they want!) I've bought a Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C -I boughgt this based on teh following - it goes tall enough for what I want, the leveling head is ace, and it has a rotating foot. I used it for motosport, and left thye levelling head slightly loose, so it would follow easily my panning efforts, it worked well, as I came away with far more keepres than usual, and my arms didn't ache.
Click to expand...
I truly dislike using a monopod for motorsport panning shots. End up taking it off for that application.
 
andrewc said:
I've never liked monopods or tripods with twist locks, I much prefer lever locks. I once had a tripod collapse and it was a twist lock that hadn't been twisted enough.
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I'm the opposite, don't get on with lever locks and much prefer the twist type
I get quite bad Raynaud's and find levers hard to operate in anything other than warm weather
Plus they easily get muck in and also need checking/tightening with an Allen key that would likely get lost.
Good twist locks are secure although as mentioned earlier I do avoid certain ones.
Mr Perceptive said:
Used a monopod for the first time in anger last weekend, having played previously with a friends! (those with a dirty mind can read into that what they want!) I've bought a Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C -I boughgt this based on teh following - it goes tall enough for what I want, the leveling head is ace, and it has a rotating foot. I used it for motosport, and left thye levelling head slightly loose, so it would follow easily my panning efforts, it worked well, as I came away with far more keepres than usual, and my arms didn't ache.
Click to expand...
I looked at these, but didn't need or want the extra height the lever locked section gives.
A review I saw mentioned the top section slipping, but it went on to say the lock probably needed tightening.
sk66 said:
For sports I don't use a head on the monopod; but I use a Sirui L10 tilt head on it for wildlife... the current fad is a monopod gimbal head (Wimberley MH-100 or similar).
Click to expand...
Just picked up one of those Sirui L-10 tilt heads, in as new condition for £55, so happy with that.

So far this new lens has seen me buy a new insert to store and carry it, stronger strap, longer Q/R plate, filter (protection only) monopod and head.
Knew there was a reason I avoided wildlife photpography, luckily already had a good rucksack and decent tripod/ball head.
 
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tijuana taxi said:
I looked at these, but didn't need or want the extra height the lever locked section gives.
A review I saw mentioned the top section slipping, but it went on to say the lock probably needed tightening.
Click to expand...

I need some of the extra height, my level lock is very stiff, but it would be easy enough to tighten if it did start slipping. Normally I wouldn't have condidered investing so much £££ in a monopod, but the l;evelling head sold it to me. Its a nice bit of kit, so far I've been very impressed with Benro products (got a ball head, one of the little BAT tripods and now this monopod), but I do prefer lever locks, rather than the twist and hope variety.
 
Mr Perceptive said:
I need some of the extra height, my level lock is very stiff, but it would be easy enough to tighten if it did start slipping. Normally I wouldn't have condidered investing so much £££ in a monopod, but the l;evelling head sold it to me. Its a nice bit of kit, so far I've been very impressed with Benro products (got a ball head, one of the little BAT tripods and now this monopod), but I do prefer lever locks, rather than the twist and hope variety.
Click to expand...
Never bought Benro before, but have seen them at all the usual shows and heard good things about them.
Usually buy Gitzo or FLM, never had any issue with either of them and their twist locks.
 
I use mine, a Sirui P-204-SR with a Sirui A-10R ball head, a lot. I don't have any issues with the twist locks they work for me. I like the tri-foot stabiliser and that's removable so it becomes a low level tripod which is really handy. The pan facility is fine for me to take pano landscapes. Overall I like and use it a lot and for outside work in preference to a tripod
 
I have an old Redsnappa monopod, with a fairly basic ball head on.
For me, it's primary purpose is to take the weight of a big lens (Tamron 150-600) when photographing animals - leave the ball head friction control not fully tight, so the ball can move but offers some resistance.
 

Who uses a Monopod?​


Just about everyone I know :)

I ahve recently gone from lever lock to twist and much happier with :)
 
I was gifted a Manfroto monopod and use it when doing video with the super zoom bridge camera, very handy at 1000mm - 1200mm
 
tijuana taxi said:
I tried one before, but never got to grips with it.
Suspect it was more down to my technique than anything else.
Recently bought a relatively heavy lens and think a Monopod might come in handy
Even if its only to occasionally relieve me of the weight, but hoping for some stability help too.
Mainly looking for any tips on use and what to look for when buying one
Use will be for wildlife and transport, definitely no BIF photography.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I keep trying to use one when panning motorsports but I just end up getting frustrated with it and handhold instead :rolleyes:
 
I use a walking pole as a monopod. it has a screw on the top. It is more convenient as it would be with me anyway.
 
I often use my Gitzo monopod and always with a gimbal attached. - However, if you have enough space around you, nothing beats a good tripod (also with gimbal attached). - Your number of 'keepers' will always be increased by using a good stable base to shoot from!
 
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I use one for my ancient 70-200. I used to have one of those magic Manfrotto auto things - but it failed and now I have a lever lock one

standard heavy duty Ball head and everything works great.
 
Opened my Monopod today, its a rather sturdy thing and to be honest exactly what I hoped for.
Quality is good with decent twist locks that are secure without too much turning.
Not sure about the ball type foot, got a spare solid rubber one that might take its place.
On that note the supplied spanner is totally crap, not at all in keeping with the Monopod.
The open end is too small to fit the flats on the foot and already scratched it.
Checked with a digital Vernier gauge, so I know that statement is true.
The ring end is again poorly finished and hard to get a fitting on the head mounting screw lock nut.
Why not supply decent tools, gives a very bad impression for the sake of literally pence.
Overall I'm satisfied so far, but yet to see how it fares out in the wild.
 
I've just acquired a monopod this evening from a work colleague. Twist lock job but seems quite solid and doesn't like it will collapse on me. Look forward to giving it a try next time I'm standing at the lake attempting to photograph the waterfowl.
 
I bought one a few years ago when I went to see the F1 at Silverstone and wanted to try out some motorsport photos. It helped a lot to get panning right, managed to get a few decent shots because of it.

High speed VET by JoaoDuraes, on Flickr


Charging RedBull by JoaoDuraes, on Flickr

I haven't used it since though.
 
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I think I have got one somewhere, but it has been over 10 years and 2 house moves, and I still haven't used it. But I also do not use big telephoto lenses.
 
I have a Manfrotto with a 494 ball head on it. Mostly gets used with a video camera, and as a walking stick. I bought the smal 3 legged foot attachment, but don't really use it much, although it has its uses.
 
sk66 said:
For sports I don't use a head on the monopod; but I use a Sirui L10 tilt head on it for wildlife... the current fad is a monopod gimbal head (Wimberley MH-100 or similar).


Just flop it to the side to duplicate the function of those monopod gimbals. I'm not a big fan of having the lens off to the side (indirect support); but IMO it works better than messing with it wobbling around on top of a ballhead.
Click to expand...
Like you I don’t use a head on my monopod. I have a carbon fibre one which is light but strong.
 
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