Tri/Monopod on Alaskan Cruise: Will be doing the inside passage Alaskan cruise. Which would be better to use, a tripod or monopod when photographing on the ship. I'm thinking a monopod...

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Will be doing the inside passage Alaskan cruise. Which would be better to use, a tripod or monopod when photographing on the ship. I'm thinking a monopod but not quite sure. Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

It can get pretty crowded at time on a cruise ship, especially when whales swim up close to the ship, or any other sea life. Everyone wants to get “that shot.” Same when cruising by the big glaciers. In those cases a monopod is preferable. However, in a crowd, handheld is probably the rule of the day. Or at least of the moment. Tripods are bulky and get in people’s way. So if you’re going to take anything, take a monopod. Besides, it can act as a walking stick device when you go ashore for those nature hikes and strolls around the towns.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Been there, Done That! Inside passage is a very smooth cruise, usually. You will be glad you took the Monopod, I think.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

charles brown wrote:

Will be doing the inside passage Alaskan cruise. Which would be better to use, a tripod or monopod when photographing on the ship. I'm thinking a monopod but not quite sure. Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

You wrote "on the ship". That means neither because the ship vibrates. Cruise ships have lots of their own photographers. I've never seen them use tripods or monopods.

Off the ship might be different. A monopod might help. If you are joining excursions, a sure way to NOT make friends is to be fiddling with a tripod. Time spent setting it up and taking it down will interfere with the pace and flow of the tour. If you do get it set up in the "right spot" it will block all of your new friends from getting their turn in that spot.

Consider cranking up the ISO beyond your comfort zone. Then deal with the noise in post. If necessary get one of the noise reduction programs like Topaz and others make.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Wingpilot wrote:

It can get pretty crowded at time on a cruise ship... (show quote)

Greg is correct. We took a cruise last August and what he describes is correct.

Red6

Wingpilot wrote:

It can get pretty crowded at time on a cruise ship... (show quote)

I agree that a tripod is NOT the way to go. My wife and I cruise a great deal and setting up a tripod on deck would be a nightmare with people all around. Often when a popular scene comes along, the deck will become very crowded with people wanting to see and take photos. A tripod would NOT be practical or popular. Besides, unless I am in my own car, I do not want to carry a tripod. I cannot imagine carrying one on a cruise ship, tour bus, airplane, etc.

I cannot really comment on a monopod. I have one but never use it as I do not see its usefulness. I much prefer handheld shooting. The monopod seems to limit my freedom of movement in getting the right angle or view. But others seem to like them.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

charles brown wrote:

Will be doing the inside passage Alaskan cruise. Which would be better to use, a tripod or monopod when photographing on the ship. I'm thinking a monopod but not quite sure. Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

NO. Always hand hold when shooting from a ship. Use VR to handle movement of the boat. Please, please leave your tripod and monopod at home, it will only mean extra stuff to carry around that you will never need.
PS. shoot at at least 1/1000 sec. and you will be fine. Trust me. I did that trip and nothing extra is needed.

ELNikkor

What billnikon said!

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

We did an Alaskan cruise. Monopod is the way, especially on the ship.
Try to find one that has legs that open up that can be used as a tripod but not as bulky.
There are light weight ones that were no burden for me on the 7 day cruise. They collapse to be short enough not to be a burden. Plus, can be used as a walking stick.
Unless you are traveling independently on land, there is really no place for a tripod.

nison777 Loc: illinois u.s.a.

To avoid vibrations... While using your monopod

Place your monopod on top of your slightly raised up foot while making your exposures...
This will help in offsetting motion...
Be sure the cushion/monopod foot is down for comfort...
Also hold your camera correctly not touching anything else..

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

charles brown wrote:

Will be doing the inside passage Alaskan cruise. Which would be better to use, a tripod or monopod when photographing on the ship. I'm thinking a monopod but not quite sure. Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

We are not big time cruisers, but have gone to Alaska and a couple of other itineraries. Too many people and not enough space to work with a tripod. You will be frustrated, and your fellow passengers will be frustrayed with you. I would leave the monopod at home, as well. The benefit just isn't going to be there. I never missed having a momopod, either.

Space is at a premium on a cruise ship, including in your cabin. And if seas happen to be rough, as they were on our Alaska cruise, you are going to want your hands to be as free as possible. Multiply all of this by at least three or four when you are on the ship's tenders or on excursion boats.

Keep in mind that the Inside Passage is a rainforest. Sunny days are the exception. But you will really enjoy the trip.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Why not just take a camera with excellent IBIS/ILIS such as Olympus etc... where you can get up to about 7 stops stabilization. With a halfway fast lens handheld is a snap. I should know as I am a SHAKER and my non Ibis gear is tripod relegated....

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

charles brown wrote:

Will be doing the inside passage Alaskan cruise. Which would be better to use, a tripod or monopod when photographing on the ship. I'm thinking a monopod but not quite sure. Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I did the cruise all handheld. No problem.

photoman43

charles brown wrote:

Will be doing the inside passage Alaskan cruise. Which would be better to use, a tripod or monopod when photographing on the ship. I'm thinking a monopod but not quite sure. Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

You left out an important part piece of Info--the size of the boat. I took a small boat cruise of the inside passage and took and used both a tripod and a monopod with great success. The boat deck was never that crowded and I had plenty of room to move around. And the boat stopped often and turned off its engine to eliminate vibrations. A doubt if large boats will do this.

If you are dealing with crowds and vibrations a monopod resting on the top of your foot is the way to get better shots especially with tele lenes. My monopod foot is a flat rubber circle that also helps with stability and vibrations. If your monopod is designed to accept different foots get the right foot. If it is not designed this way make your own foot from cold drink coozies.

On a small boat lenses from 300mm to 500mm are very useful as well as 70-200mm and wider angle lenses.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Red6 wrote:

I agree that a tripod is NOT the way to go. My wi... (show quote)

A tripod on a moving object is cumbersome and pointless. Even when I’m shooting my long lenses I usually shoot handheld. The monopod can be useful when you’re looking for support instead of stability. I occasionally but rarely use a monopod when I might be training my lens on a nest or something, waiting for some action.