Considering Monopod...

[srtiwari]

Having decided that a stable support would greatly help my kind of Photography, I wanted to buy a tripod. Unfortunately, the weight/bulk may be a hassle, and a Monopod seems like a good compromise. I want to be able to shoot around a 1 sec. shutter speed, but do not see needing longer exposures.
It seems that Sirui and Benro make great Monopods , which have "feet" that help stabilize, and can also remain upright on their own for short periods of time.There are nice pistol grips or pan heads that seem attractive.
While all this sounds great, I don't know if anyone here does this. I'm looking for some feedback re: this, before I sink several hundred $$ into this. Do let me know if you have any opinions...

 

[Landshark]

To me, a monopod isn't stable enough for 1 sec.. But, I'm not that stable, I sorta sway so you may have better results.

 

[Richard G]

I went looking for a monopod and came home, after advice from my adviser, with a carbon fiber tripod, the SLIK CF614. It's been great and it's reasonably light. Walking through a forest is no big deal with it. But later I still bought a Gitzo Monopod and that has been fantastic. Sometimes I plaster the shaft against some fixed structure and get it very still, but I got it mainly for indoor auditorium work, where between my knees and sitting, it is a very stable platform. Outdoors for my son's sport with a 135 it has also been very good, using fast shutter speeds as well of course. I do think it would add something to your 1s shots. I doubt feet on a monopod will be reliable. You wouldn't want a good camera and children anywhere near such a device. Even the movement within a Leica might shift a monopod sitting on tiny feet. Better to have your hands on the camera. And now, back to the tripod. I just ordered the tiny 025 Sirui tripod which might be best of all.

 

[Cyriljay]

I had been using my MONOPOD FOR SO MANY YEARS . IT IS MANFROTTO 354 older model and i had been using it for my Hasselblad 203fe and heavy 60-120 Zoom/ Hasselblad X-Pan2 and some times for my Leica. I have a Tri-pod too but basically I used it as i found it very easy and useful and now a days there are better Ones than my older model. More light and better. it is a great way to use a support and you need a good quick release plates and head .to go with it. Even i don't have a roller ball head which is the best and the ideal head to work more comfortably.

 

[romi.gilles]

whatever monopod you get, consider one with the three-legged feet on its base.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Forget a monopod at a second. Yes, you'll get some good shots -- but not many.

Cheers,

R.

 

[BlackXList]

I do a lot of low light shooting, and tried out a monopod.

As soon as I set it up I realized just how often I flip to portrait orientation haha, so if you're going down that route, it's an absolute must to get a tilting head, (I eventually decided it wasn't for me because it made me too static)

 

[GaryLH]

An alternative to a monopod for hikers is a walking stick that has a handle that unscrews that can then be used for a monopod..

But I agree, one second is pretty long for monopod territory, even if u use the trick of leaning back against something w/ your body.. There is not going to be that many keepers.

The ones w/ the little mini tripod legs at the bottom may help.. But u maybe better off w/ a thin design carbon fiber tripod that folds up small.

Good luck
Gary

 

[romi.gilles]

many action photographers that need to move around, often, prefer monos especially with their long teles. of course, over handheld.

the only time a monopod came in handy for me was for run & gun shooting which i'd usually do with my dslt/alpha system.

 

[Gumby]

Forget a monopod at a second. Yes, you'll get some good shots -- but not many.

Cheers,

R.

This is the voice of wisdom speaking. My experience with monopod leads to the same conclusion.

Also, if you are "sinking hundred$" into a monopod then you may be buying more than is really needed.

 

[romi.gilles]

how about a tripod where one leg pulls out and converts into a monopod. two in one. i travel with a tripod, myself. but, since i travel like 98% of the time for work, it's gotten to be a pain even traveling with my travel tripod. i'm going to pick up a jobypod.

 

[kxl]

I've used a monopod for years but only with my DSLR when using a long telephoto lens. For my RF work that requires long exposures, I like the Gorilla Pod and a shutter release cable. Of course, the obvious downside with a Gorilla Pod is finding some place to mount it.

 

[doolittle]

Forget the monopod, a small lightweight carbon fibre tripod really is the way to go.

 

[burancap]

I like monos, having a pair- one fixed and one ball head. I don't use them often, but I like their convenience. I use them more than my tripods. A lot of venues don't like tripods.

 

[Timestep]

A monopod is best used as an adjunct for hand-holding either for slow speeds in the 1/30th -1/8th. or with long lenses ( 135-600mm ) simply to steady them for high shutter speeds.

Do not even attempt 1 second exposures.

Plus: a Gitzo Super Studex, in rough neighbourhoods could be useful— if you know USMC Baton Drill

 

[gustavoAvila]

Personally, I consider a monopod to be far more useful than a tripod. (It is easier to transport and far faster to set up.)

A tilt/swivel monopod head (i.e. Manfrotto 234) and a quick release clamp are also highly recommended. A monopod is far more useful when the camera can be mounted (and dismounted) quickly.

A monopod is a very effective (and simple) tool to reduce camera shake. However, for very slow shutter speeds (i.e. < 1/15 sec), a tripod is a better option.