tripod or monopod
Jun 20, 2014 13:15:56 #
Jun 20, 2014 13:17:14 #
A monopod is great for travel unless you know in advance you have a reason to haul a tripod. It may not provide the stability of a tripod but it's better than nothing.
Jun 20, 2014 13:17:14 #
A monopod is great for travel unless you know in advance you have a reason to haul a tripod. It may not provide the stability of a tripod but it's better than nothing.
Jun 20, 2014 13:22:58 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
suihk wrote:
I am going on a trip to Alaska and wondering if I should take a tripod or monopod.
I think a monopod would be very useful, and it is very easy to pack.
A tripod seems most useful for "long" exposure landscape shots and video of events. For a trip to Alaska, if packing size and weight are an issue, I would not take one. A middle ground option would be a Gorillapod, the Joby Gorillapod Focus/Ballhead X has a 11lb load rating.
Jun 20, 2014 13:34:24 #
petego4it
Loc: NY
There's another q. lead about monopod and low cost too. The best monopod at a reasonable price I've found is from Canon. About $48 at Amazon. In addition, Costco has really quite an excellent price conscious tripod with case; one leg is removable to serve as a monopod -- for only about $95.
Jun 20, 2014 13:56:57 #
And the answer is yes, take a tripod and a monopod. If that isn't specific enough it comes down to what you want to shoot.
Long exposures for the Northern Lights or spectacular sunsets...tripod.
General overall when you need to be just a bit steadier than hand held...monopod.
If this is a once-a-lifetime dream trip...both.
Have a great trip and watch out for bell pieces that smell of pepper. :-}
Long exposures for the Northern Lights or spectacular sunsets...tripod.
General overall when you need to be just a bit steadier than hand held...monopod.
If this is a once-a-lifetime dream trip...both.
Have a great trip and watch out for bell pieces that smell of pepper. :-}
Jun 20, 2014 14:08:00 #
suihk wrote:
I am going on a trip to Alaska and wondering if I should take a tripod or monopod.
Suihk, welcome to the Hog.
That would depend entirely on your style of shooting. If you never use either, what will change?
Personally I NEVER travel without a tripod.
If you're gonna use ISO 100 for landscape and the sweet-spot f-stops, speeds can get pretty slow.
I assume you don't have a tripod, or you would already be using it.
For me a monopod is only useful for heavy lenses that you need to move fast, such as for sports. Have a great trip. ;-)
SS
Jun 20, 2014 14:12:06 #
I'm taking my first photographing trip next month. In preparation, I actually bought both a tripod and a monopod.
The tripod is a MeFoto RoadTrip Traveler. One of its features is its ability to convert to a monopod. It also collapses into a (relatively) small compact package measuring 15.4" (39.1 cm). Its girth is bit bulky, however.
I also bought a Trek-Tech Go! Pro which is a monopod that doubles as a hiking pole. It has small legs that allow it to convert to a tripod, but they are minimalist at best, and probably would not stand up to strong winds, shaking, etc.
I'll only take one on my trip. I just haven't decided which one.
(Thanks to B&H Photo for the links and descriptions).
The tripod is a MeFoto RoadTrip Traveler. One of its features is its ability to convert to a monopod. It also collapses into a (relatively) small compact package measuring 15.4" (39.1 cm). Its girth is bit bulky, however.
I also bought a Trek-Tech Go! Pro which is a monopod that doubles as a hiking pole. It has small legs that allow it to convert to a tripod, but they are minimalist at best, and probably would not stand up to strong winds, shaking, etc.
I'll only take one on my trip. I just haven't decided which one.
(Thanks to B&H Photo for the links and descriptions).
Jun 20, 2014 14:47:06 #
amehta wrote:
I think a monopod would be very useful, and it is very easy to pack.
A tripod seems most useful for "long" exposure landscape shots and video of events. For a trip to Alaska, if packing size and weight are an issue, I would not take one. A middle ground option would be a Gorillapod, the Joby Gorillapod Focus/Ballhead X has a 11lb load rating.
A tripod seems most useful for "long" exposure landscape shots and video of events. For a trip to Alaska, if packing size and weight are an issue, I would not take one. A middle ground option would be a Gorillapod, the Joby Gorillapod Focus/Ballhead X has a 11lb load rating.
Another option is a "poor man monopod". It is about 12 feet of string. Tie the ends together to create a loop. Drape one end of the loop over the camera and step with one leg into the other end of the loop. Push camera upward and there you have it. Stores nicely in your pocket. Before you burst out laughing, let me tell you, that most of the professional photographers carry it and use it.
Jun 20, 2014 14:51:31 #
I don't what kind of Alaskan trip you are taking, if it's the Land Sea version then you'll need both. A tripod is useless on a rolling deck, and a monopod is useless of those long lens slow shots as mentioned. And both are useless on a buss if you are doing the Denali tour. The Monopod also makes a good walking stick as mentioned above. You'll have a great time regardless.
Jun 20, 2014 14:59:53 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Steve_m wrote:
Another option is a "poor man monopod". It is about 12 feet of string. Tie the ends together to create a loop. Drape one end of the loop over the camera and step with one leg into the other end of the loop. Push camera upward and there you have it. Stores nicely in your pocket. Before you burst out laughing, let me tell you, that most of the professional photographers carry it and use it.
No laughing here!
The very useful part of using a normal monopod is that it supports the weight of the camera and lens. With a full frame camera and a telephoto lens, this can help a lot.
Jun 20, 2014 15:04:18 #
I just looked at the MeFOTO RoadTrip Travel Tripod Kit, I'm going to ordering that next week. Looks like it fits both needs. Folds up to only 15" and a little bit.
Jun 20, 2014 15:10:41 #
suihk wrote:
I am going on a trip to Alaska and wondering if I should take a tripod or monopod.
That would depend a lot on the "trip". If you are driving, make room for the tripod, you will never regret bringing it along with your monopod. If you are going on an organized tour with lots of people, the tripod will become a big burden, but a monopod will be very handy to have. I have watched tourist on tour buses literally go to fisticuffs over the one idiot who demands to use his tripod as the inconvenience, and even injury, of one or many of the others in the group. Many tours will have a regulation prohibiting them altogether.
Jun 20, 2014 15:23:38 #
Jun 20, 2014 15:27:33 #
Bret wrote:
I'd get one if it where black and yellow...lol
Gold is often considered Yellow.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=MeFOTO+RoadTrip+Travel+Tripod+Ki&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
Get your card out. LOL
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.