MartinL
MartinL
Before the OP's question disappears due to a terminal case of thread drift (which I probably helped along), let me answer more directly. As a great photographer, if I require extra stability, I use a legit tripod. As a realistic and often mediocre photographer, I typically leave my tripod at home.
As a hiker, I will sometimes substitute my pair of Leki poles for my single Gitzo Monopod that is designed, IMO, to be a state of the art hiking pole with the added advantage of Gitzo's nicely turned screw-head swivel for a camera. Nothing beats this pole/pod for this dual purpose.
But generally, for those who walk no further than their auto to the pub, IMO a monopod is like one of those "extra" lenses that we leave a home-----not because we don't love them, but because we just don't want to exceed our schlep quotient.
Finally, I have the niftyiest little Manfrotto table top that I use every time I want to take a picture of me in Paris.
Martin
As a hiker, I will sometimes substitute my pair of Leki poles for my single Gitzo Monopod that is designed, IMO, to be a state of the art hiking pole with the added advantage of Gitzo's nicely turned screw-head swivel for a camera. Nothing beats this pole/pod for this dual purpose.
But generally, for those who walk no further than their auto to the pub, IMO a monopod is like one of those "extra" lenses that we leave a home-----not because we don't love them, but because we just don't want to exceed our schlep quotient.
Finally, I have the niftyiest little Manfrotto table top that I use every time I want to take a picture of me in Paris.
Martin
ImpMan71
Established
Thank you all for your responses.
I have a small Velbon tripod, that when fully extended goes to about 14-18 inches.
After all your comments I feel that this is probably the best thing for me to take - even better as it wont cost me any money
I wasn't aware they had tightened security over photography in Paris - thanks for that, I will have to do a google & investigate.
Thanks again,
Colin
I have a small Velbon tripod, that when fully extended goes to about 14-18 inches.
After all your comments I feel that this is probably the best thing for me to take - even better as it wont cost me any money
I wasn't aware they had tightened security over photography in Paris - thanks for that, I will have to do a google & investigate.
Thanks again,
Colin
alan davus
Well-known
I do a lot of multi day hiking and these days just about the first thing I pack is my Leki Sierra trekking pole. A great support when crossing rivers, doubles as an ice axe when climbing in snow, a definite help when descending steep slippery slopes and as I found out on my last trip to New Zealand, its a very effective weapon when warding off an attack by a bunch of keas whilst camping on Cascade Saddle. But wait there's more. Unscrew the wooden knob on top and "voila" a monopod. Leki market it as a " Photo" trekking pole and its one of the best multi purpose tools I have ever owned.
Sparrow
Veteran
alan davus said:
That the Paris we all know and love!!!
Sparrow
Veteran
You could always take a small tripod and only extend one leg.
not as daft as it sounds in a busy city, then you’d have the option of either
not as daft as it sounds in a busy city, then you’d have the option of either
Tuolumne
Veteran
alan davus said:
I have one of these, but can't remember the brand. An aluminum hiking stick which has adjustable length. The tip unscrews to expose a really wicked steel pointed tip. Good protection against wild keas and terrorists, too. Scarily, you could probably get it onto an airplane with no trouble at all. Mine also has a wooden grip that unscrews to reveal a 1/4x20 screw that I attach a small Really Right Stuff ball head to. Works great. But I still prefer to work without it if I can. I think you should get a bean bag for the Paris trip. Totally unthreatening and works great on many many surfasces as a rock solid suypport for you camera.
/T
harmsr
M5 Nut
For personal travel and vacation, I have never taken either my tripod or monopod. For planned shoots, of course they go. For hiking, a monopod works nice.
I do bring a small tabletop and mini ball head along. These can help tremendously.
They work braced against all kind of things, including on your own chest.
Best,
Ray
I do bring a small tabletop and mini ball head along. These can help tremendously.
They work braced against all kind of things, including on your own chest.
Best,
Ray
eli griggs
Well-known
I have used a mono-pod for years and have found it well worth the effort to tote about; it can be the difference of getting the shot or not. Mine has three fold out 'feet' in the bottom cap and with a self-timer and cable release does pretty good duty standing in for a tripod. Standing on or placing my bag on the feet adds a bit of stability in light winds, etc.
With a long release or timer, a camera with a wide lens can be held aloft or out over a barrier or low over water, etc for otherwise impossible shots
An additional benefit of carrying a fairly heavy metal stick is it makes a decent aggressive dog beater. Some two-legged vermin also think twice about bothering someone with a legal means to defend themselves. To be sure, it beats the heck out of throwing cameras and lens at some dangerous annoyance.
Eli
With a long release or timer, a camera with a wide lens can be held aloft or out over a barrier or low over water, etc for otherwise impossible shots
An additional benefit of carrying a fairly heavy metal stick is it makes a decent aggressive dog beater. Some two-legged vermin also think twice about bothering someone with a legal means to defend themselves. To be sure, it beats the heck out of throwing cameras and lens at some dangerous annoyance.
Eli
furcafe
Veteran
I have a nice Manfrotto 3249B that I rarely use, but I do find it worthwhile when I do need to use it. It definitely works for night shots. Usually I prefer to shoot handheld w/the occasional resort to "natural" supports (leaning against streetlamps, etc.) as it can be a PITA to carry a monopod--it's certainly smaller/lighter than a full tripod but can still be a significant burden to schlep around. However, I also usually have fast glass, am willing to shoot @ high ISOs, & have a lot of experience w/handholding cameras. In urban environments like Paris, a table tripod might work well for the occasional long exposure, but a monopod may be more useful if you do more nature/landscape shooting (or do so in the future) for the reasons mentioned by others.
Personally, as a city-dweller/shooter, I would like to see a combination umbrella-monopod, & by that I mean a regular-sized golf-like umbrella that can be used as a monopod when not being used as an umbrella (w/camera attaching to the handle end). Does anyone know of a product like that? I know there are combination walking staff-umbrellas & walking staff-monopods.
Personally, as a city-dweller/shooter, I would like to see a combination umbrella-monopod, & by that I mean a regular-sized golf-like umbrella that can be used as a monopod when not being used as an umbrella (w/camera attaching to the handle end). Does anyone know of a product like that? I know there are combination walking staff-umbrellas & walking staff-monopods.
ImpMan71 said:
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Xmas
Veteran
If you get a photo white umbrella if may have a suitable end piece and it will work as fill in reflector as well as for rain.
Noel
Noel
kuvvy
Well-known
Bought a monopod last year as I thought I would need it for some particular shots i was planning. It's a Manfrotto and I got a nice Micro Ball head for it. Never used it for those shots and has never been used yet.
Creagerj
Incidental Artist
I've had a monopod for a couple of years and I think I have used it twice. Not a substitute for a tripod. You could always get a carbon fiber tripod. You'll have to be a human statue in order to take any lengthy shots.
eli griggs
Well-known
I think that the way a mono-pod locks up has a lot to do with its' easy of carry. Mine uses simple twist locks and they are very strong in use. That makes for a smooth stick' that is easy to carry and doesn't snag on every little thing.
Looking at other designs, like the Manfrotto, with its' side-locking toggles, it's easy to see why it's often left behind; IMHO.
Eli
Looking at other designs, like the Manfrotto, with its' side-locking toggles, it's easy to see why it's often left behind; IMHO.
Eli
Robert Price
I missed what?
I use a terking pole as a monopod myself. With a small ballhead and quick release plate. the pole colapses to a nice height too. I used to have a monopod but it was just too..... showy i guess. There certainly is nothing wrong with useing a monopod though.
back alley
IMAGES
i have a great monopod. it locks/unlocks by twisting the sections of the pole. small, light and strong.
i have used it quite a bit with a slr and a long zoom lens.
never with a rf camera.
joe
i have used it quite a bit with a slr and a long zoom lens.
never with a rf camera.
joe
Ariya
Peter Williams
Creagerj said:
Agreed. I bought a Manfrotto monopod a couple of years ago, used it twice and sold it a month ago. It only supports the camera on a single axis, you control the rest which to me equates to hand holding. I definitely do not recommend one for long exposures. A small tripod is the way to go.
Steve Bellayr
Veteran
Instead of a monopod I'd rather use a soft shutter release which will get me to at least 30 on the shutter. A rangefinder is really for fast hand held photography. (My opinion only.) Tripod should be in your line up. I have a heavy one for medium format.
R
ruben
Guest
ImpMan71 said:
Besides a four or five tripods, table pod, cable releases, and mini soft releases, I have 2 monopods, one sturdy and the other lighter. Within the limited use they get, the lighter is always the weapon of choice for its convenience.
In contrast to a tripod, I do not find any reason why a monopod should be sturdy, unless you are using cameras/lenses above 5 kg. For mounting a Bessa the lightest and cheapest monopod will be too much sturdy.
No doubt monopods are less effective than a tripods, but less cumbersome too. Nevertheless they are quite cumbersome by themselves compared to no-monopod. You still have to open and brake the legs, adjust height, manipulate monopod head, and screw the monopod to your camera. The same with table tops, with the latter being less practical but much more compact.
Like a tripod, a monopod is a piece of gear attracting attention. Less attention if you arrange a strap and carry it with a strap around your back. A monopod pending from your pants belt will look somewhat aggressive, which is not bad to keep bad guys far away.
It seems to me, and you still have to think it by yourself, that a monopod will find its best use for SLRs' tele lenses - not for night rf photography.
For night rf photography I would prefer 2 cheaper devices. First a Mini Soft Release, giving you an extra f/stop when pushed by the joint of your index.
The other one is my own capacity in finding around, when needed and if needed, places to put my camera on, or my body to lean. In a super developed city like Paris, this shouldn't be a problem at all.
Lastly, for the price of a light monopod, or even cheaper, you can buy for Paris At Night a Yashica G (GT, GTN, GS, GSN) offering you fixed lens highest quality optics, lowest ever shutter vibration, and AE capability for night shooting.
Cheers,
Ruben
ImpMan71
Established
I have a Konica S3 which has a fast lens - perhaps I should take that?