Tripod vs. Monopod: I've been wondering about using a tripod vs using a monopod w/ Image Stabilization on. I have no doubt there will be difference, but how great is the question. Any...

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

I've been wondering about using a tripod vs using a monopod w/ Image Stabilization on. I have no doubt there will be difference, but how great is the question.

Any experience with this? Any articles that you know of regarding this?

Quixdraw Loc: x

Some info
http://nickdidlick.com/vr/
Probably more if you search on site.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

wlgoode wrote:

I've been wondering about using a tripod vs using a monopod w/ Image Stabilization on. I have no doubt there will be difference, but how great is the question.

Any experience with this? Any articles that you know of regarding this?

There may be a difference but I do not see it.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

From personal experience:
For long exposures a tripod is the way to go.
For shorter exposures, say 1/100 with a Canon 100-400 (IS on) on a crop body a monopod was OK for my use.
I do not use IS when using a tripod.
A most of the time, when shooting motor racing (normaly around 1/250-1/320) on a mono pod, I do not use it unless panning from a distance.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

quixdraw wrote:

Some info
http://nickdidlick.com/vr/
Probably more if you search on site.

I have searched without much luck, The link you provided is what I already know, thanks.

As you are no doubt aware, in some instances a tripod is cumbersome and a monopod will be more convenient. I was in search of how a tripod compares with a monopod when the monopod is used with VR engaged. Some cameras will not play well when VR is on using a tripod.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

How about the best of both worlds? I use a Sirui P-204S 63" 4-Section Aluminum Monopod which is a stable monopod with 3 small feet at the bottom that can be folded out for greater stability. I found with a simple monopod that I might be swaying or causing other movement with the hand that was holding the monopod. While I still support this newer monopod, I find it to be much more stable. I still use my Manfrotto tripod for the heavy stuff, but the Sirui is much more portable.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Bob Yankle wrote:

How about the best of both worlds? I use a Sirui P-204S 63" 4-Section Aluminum Monopod which is a stable monopod with 3 small feet at the bottom that can be folded out for greater stability. I found with a simple monopod that I might be swaying or causing other movement with the hand that was holding the monopod. While I still support this newer monopod, I find it to be much more stable. I still use my Manfrotto tripod for the heavy stuff, but the Sirui is much more portable.

Well, I already own both a tripod and a monopod that I am happy with. I'm sure those feet help, but wouldn't VR help as well? Even with the one you have you still must make a decision on which to use. My question exactly, which to use. Tripod, VR off or monopod VR on. Is there a difference, probably. How much? That is at the heart of the question.

It surprises me that I haven't seen this question before.

It also surprises me that my Google search didn't pan out well on the subject.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

wlgoode wrote:

Well, I already own both a tripod and a monopod th... (show quote)

I think the reader was probably referring to the UHH Seach function at the top of the page. The question as to whether or not to turn on VR while using a monopod has been answered several times in the last few months. I personally leave mine on while on the monopod.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Bob Yankle wrote:

I think the reader was probably referring to the UHH Seach function at the top of the page. The question as to whether or not to turn on VR while using a monopod has been answered several times in the last few months. I personally leave mine on while on the monopod.

The reader here is the OP and this OP used Google. The question was never whether to use VR on a monopod. I know the answer is yes.

The question has been always about Tripod with VR off as many or most cameras require vs monopod with VR on which most or all cameras allow. In other words, when a tripod is cumbersome, is it still advisable or will a monopod with VR on do the job as well or nearly as well? The monopod's stability can be augmented by the stance of the photographer. With the proper leg stance with VR on is a monopod comparable to a tripod in daylight or twilight situations?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

wlgoode wrote:

The reader here is the OP and this OP used Google.... (show quote)

It depends on the shutter speed;
say for a long exposure shot of a water fall in the daytime (1/2 sec) then I would use my triopod.
Or a ship in port in the blue hour I would use a tripod (1/4 sec and f=190mm on a 1.6 crop body) I used a tripod.

Once you start using faster shutter speed you may find a monopod meets your needs and/or a good IS/VR system

This example was shot hand held 1/80 @ f2.8 ISO 6400 and f=95mm (35mm equivalent of 190mm) with an Olympus E_M5Mark II + an Olympus 40-150 f2.8 lens.
In the last of the blue hour. The Olympus body has an extreemly good VR/IS system
The image has been downsized from the original raw file, for web publication, and noise reduction applied during PP. If I was using a monopd I may have been able to shoot at a lower ISO while still keeping the shuuter speed so that ship movement wasn't a problem.

Leaving port

(Download)

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

RichardTaylor wrote:

It depends on the shutter speed; br say for a long... (show quote)

I see, that's why I stated Daylight and Twilight. I would not consider a monopod in darkness. I have 35 years of experience in photography and owned a camera repair shop on Long Island and am a graduate of National Camera. I say these things to illustrate by no stretch am I a newbie and believe some think I am a newbie and are not giving an answer that I need. Shutter speed, lens length and so forth needn't be explained to me as I was also a photography instructor for BOCES in Suffolk Co. NY.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Just trying to be helpful.
You are way ahead of me, as I am just a hobbyst.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

RichardTaylor wrote:

Just trying to be helpful.
You are way ahead of me, as I am just a hobbyst.

Thanks, I am still surprised that this question has not been raised before and no answer is to be found on Google, well, if I wanted to go through a million hits then maybe.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

my experience, with a monopod and a heavy lens I still get too much camera shake.so the is stays on.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

wlgoode wrote:

I've been wondering about using a tripod vs using a monopod w/ Image Stabilization on. I have no doubt there will be difference, but how great is the question.

Any experience with this? Any articles that you know of regarding this?

I look on a monopod as a step between me and a tripod. It's good, but not good enough for total stability. I use one occasionally when I need a bit more stability, but I don't want to keep setting up a tripod as I move from location to location. It's much easier to carry around than a tripod. I leave it attached to the camera, collapsed, as I drive from spot to spot. I use the same Manfrotto QR plates on tripods and monopods.