Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

User ID

And a real triood.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

I have no experience with adding feet to an existing monopod, however I have, love, and use a monopod with 3 retractable feet. Mine is a since discontinued Vanguard model. It's a few years old, was inexpensive, has been to 3 continents, takes a beating, and keeps on keeping on. It came with a ball head, which I gave to a friend. Ball heads just don't work for me. The feet are easily retracted and just as easily moved back down into position to give added stability. My model has some sort of ball bearing-type thing between the bottom of the shaft of the monopod and the feet. This allows for easy tilting. Do NOT even think of getting one without that little goody.An added plus of having feet on a monopod is that you can add stability by putting your own feet on its feet.

IMO, it goes without saying that you would NEVER, EVER stand a footed monopod up & attempt to use it as a monopod. You MUST hold it!!

I usually mount my Nest gimbal head with a Nikon Z9 and long zoom lens on it with no issues. Wildlife and birds are my subjects 90% of the time.

Just go on the B&H site and type in "Vanguard monopods" in the search box. There are a couple of good options there.

photoman43

IMO, the added feet reduce the functionality of a monopod. If you need three feet, get or use a tripod. That being said, having a monopod that can accept a replacement foot is an advantage. I usually use this cup like foot on my monopods:


https://leofotousa.com/products/leofoto-sc-70-monopod-replacement-foot-large-cup

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

I must disagree, at least as it concerns action photography. Sure a monopod may indeed reduce camera shake, but I (and I suspect most) action photographers use a monopod because hand holding a heavy pro body and long tele lens for long periods of time is too tiring for all of us. I consider my monopod as a tool to allow me to physically hold heavy gear. When shooting moving subjects, most action shooters are at high shutter speeds so camera shake isn’t much of a problem.

jlocke Loc: Austin, TX

I bought a Sigma 150-600mm lens and found that it is difficult to hold everything steady when zoomed-out to 600mm (I have the Nikkor Z 180-600mm on order). I have a Manfrotto monopod (a TRUE one-foot monopod), but I find I prefer using the E-Image MA600 monopod I have, which has 3 feet. I have a ball head mounted on top, and to me, it feels more stable than when I'm using the single foot monopod. The footed monopod has a ball assembly at the bottom that can be loosened if you feel you need more movement than the ball head provides.

I normally have the monopod sitting in front of the large kitchen window that looks out into the backyard, where I can quickly attach my camera and shoot some bird photos. The monopod stands up on its own, but I would never walk away with something attached to it.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Here is one that the feet can be loosened for uneven ground, or to slow you to lean the pod toward you, $28. This and a ball head and you are set.

Koolehaoda Mini Tripod,Universal 3 Legs Monopod Base Stand Unipod Support with 3/8" Screw for Monopods Ballhead - KM3 https://a.co/d/fvHz9CA

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

You disagree with Bill, then say the same thing........ They help reduce camera shake.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I have a Promaster monopod with the tripod foot base that I have used over the last few years. I have found the "tripod" base useful in some occasions such as reducing slippage on uneven ground or on snow. There is a friction setting so the base feet can swivel if you need to lean or tilt the monopod. The base section can be removed and turned into a table tripod.

The tripod base is not intended to turn the monopod into a tripod; it is too unsteady to use as such. I did use it as a semi-tripod once. I was hiking and I wanted to shoot a short timelapse but didn't have a tripod on me. I set the monopod up between a pair of trees with the feet extend at the base. I used string to tie the monopod to the trees so it was restrained from falling or moving very much (it was also a calm day) and shot my timelapse.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Huh? I think you misread my reply. I use a monopod to support the weight of the rig instead of handholding, not to eliminate camera shake.

Have you ever spent an hour or two or three on the sidelines of a football/soccer/baseball game trying to hold a Z9 and 400/2.8 lens? Camera shake is the last thing I worry about since I’m generally shooting at 1/2000th of a second

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Sorry for not reading the entire post. Maybe someone already came up with the answer.
I have a sirui monopod with the three foot attachment. It is the best investment I have made in photographic equipment in a while, other than cameras and lenses. Here is the link. https://store.sirui.com/collections/am-compact-series-monopods/products/sirui-am-404fl-3-in-1-with-qr-system-monopod
Two different sizes.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

No worries Robert. I’m genuinely interested in learning why you prefer the 3 foot attachment rather than just the regular single point. I seldom use a monopod when shooting non action scenes and the few times I have, never tried 3 prong. From reading what others have said, seems like the 3 legs would be unwieldy to use unless ground was flat and/or your subject was at camera level. How do you tilt forward or back if there are 3 contact points? Or sloping ground surface? I do understand that any connection to the ground would help alleviate camera shake at “normal” shutter speeds, but it seems to me that the lack of flexibility in pointing the rig outweighs any gain in stability.

Again - not arguing with you. Just trying to understand how one works without the easy ability to point the lens.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

I am happy to explain. The three feet are on a detachable (quick release) ball head that you can adjust its tension on. There is a knob that you can use your foot to adjust it. The feet also have three positions on each foot. I am very impressed with this unit. I bought the carbon fiber version.

I also put a carbon fiber gimbal on top. I do a lot of birding and between the flexibility of the gimbal and the ability to tilt the entire monopod, it’s very comfortable to use.

Both top (head) and bottom (foot section) sections have quick release units so reconfiguration is instant and easy.

Was not very expensive for what it is. I think I paid <$150. They go on sale frequently. They make some nicely designed stuff.

If you have any more questions, I am happy to help.

3 foot attachment on quick release ball head


Foot operated knob to adjust tension on ball head


Multi position adjustable legs


Quick release tip for ball head


Ball head attached

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Maybe?

"I must disagree, at least as it concerns action photography. Sure a monopod may indeed reduce camera shake,"

Then you do say you use it to take the weight of the camera (this also reduces camera shake).

Maybe I just read more into it?

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Restating it more clearly, i use the monopod to support the weight of a pro body and say a 400/2.8. Camera shake issues don’t affect me since im usually at 1/2000th sec shutter speed.

Most photographers i know rely on sticks to handle weight, not camera shake. To control camera shake, i rely on tripod. No doubt a monopod will offer some help with camera shake at more “normal” shutter speeds, but to me it best used to support the weight.