Mono or tri: I have seen sports photographers with enormous heavy lenses and a monopod. Is a monopod really stable? Will it hold my camera steady enough at a low shutter speed on a...

sjrw Loc: Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK

I have seen sports photographers with enormous heavy lenses and a monopod. Is a monopod really stable? Will it hold my camera steady enough at a low shutter speed on a 70-200? I have a tripod but don't use it.

American Loc: Forida

it will help a lot

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

With IS/VC/VR/OIS/IBIS (image stabilization) turned on, the monopod helps a lot. Many cameras have to have stabilization OFF when using tripods, but most IS gizmos work with monopods. And a monopod is a LOT easier to carry, set up, and use.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

sjrw wrote:

I have seen sports photographers with enormous heavy lenses and a monopod. Is a monopod really stable? Will it hold my camera steady enough at a low shutter speed on a 70-200? I have a tripod but don't use it.

A monopod is not "really" stable - YOU have to make it that way by your technique and shutter speed selection - so there is a learning curve to maximize it's effectiveness. Monopods are mostly for supporting heavier lenses - it is up to the operator to stabilze.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Stable as a tripod - No. But as Imagemeister said, with a bit of practice it will help you out a lot. I like to use mine while I'm walking a lot or hiking. Gives me just that added bit of support that helps steady up a shot. I also occasionally carry a couple of those short bungee straps with a hook on each end that you use for tie-downs. I've used them to strap my monopod to a bench, fence post, solid tree limb, ect. so I can use it as an impromptu tripod.

Toby

sjrw wrote:

I have seen sports photographers with enormous heavy lenses and a monopod. Is a monopod really stable? Will it hold my camera steady enough at a low shutter speed on a 70-200? I have a tripod but don't use it.

You can develop a technique, thru practice where a monopod helps significantly. I use one for most outdoor sports when using my bigger lenses. Most venues will not let you use a tripod on the sidelines.

Do not buy a cheap one. I had the mounting screw break on one but fortunately I had the strap around my neck so the camera didn't fall to the ground. While shooting an Ohio State FB game I saw the same thing happen to someone and the camera and lens hit the blacktop. My monopod had a lifetime guarantee so I just assumed it was a freak of manufacturing. I returned it and after a few months the replacement also broke in the same manor. I now own a new monopod that costs about 6 times what the original one cost. No problems going on 5 or 6 years.
Good Luck

sjrw Loc: Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK

Thanks for all the answers. Some great advice there. I am usually fairly steady so I may go for it. Just that little bit of extra always helps.

Quixdraw Loc: x

A while back someone posted a hint on using a loop of rope or strapping that attached to the Monopod to turn it into a tripod by standing on the rope with both feet and pulling against it. Haven't tried it, but it sounds like it would work pretty well with a sturdy Monopod.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

quixdraw wrote:

A while back someone posted a hint on using a loop of rope or strapping that attached to the Monopod to turn it into a tripod by standing on the rope with both feet and pulling against it. Haven't tried it, but it sounds like it would work pretty well with a sturdy Monopod.

My luck I would get my feet tangled in the rope, trip and end up breaking the camera, lens AND the monopod. But sometimes I'm just naturally graceful like that.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

sjrw wrote:

I have seen sports photographers with enormous heavy lenses and a monopod. Is a monopod really stable? Will it hold my camera steady enough at a low shutter speed on a 70-200? I have a tripod but don't use it.

A monopod is steadier than I am, but not as steady as a tripod. It takes practice and skill to use it well with a long lens. It's much easier to carry and use then a tripod.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

quixdraw wrote:

A while back someone posted a hint on using a loop of rope or strapping that attached to the Monopod to turn it into a tripod by standing on the rope with both feet and pulling against it. Haven't tried it, but it sounds like it would work pretty well with a sturdy Monopod.

That's a trick that's been around for a while, but, as Picdude said, it could lead to an embarrassing situation.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

sjrw wrote:

I have seen sports photographers with enormous heavy lenses and a monopod. Is a monopod really stable? Will it hold my camera steady enough at a low shutter speed on a 70-200? I have a tripod but don't use it.

Take a look at a Sirui 204S hybrid monopod; I have one and I reckon it is the biz. You can find reviews on You Tube. It's not cheap but the workmanship is excellent and it comes with a shoulder bag. Even the packaging is first class. I used to have a Canon 7D mark 11 with a Canon 100 mm f2.8L macro IS and mounted this combination on the Sirui for slow shutter speed macro work without a problem. I also used it with my Canon 300mm f2.8L IS (which weighed 2.55 Kg). I now use it for close up stuff with an Olympus EM1 + Olympus 300mm f4 PRO/PanaLeica 100 - 400mm and Nikon D500 + Nikkor 300 f4 PF VR + 1.4 TC. I do have a carbon fibre tripod but the Sirui is so much more practical when out in the bondu. Can't see a problem using a 70 - 200mm (even a heavy f2.8 model).

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Yes it will. I use a mono with my Canon 70 - 200 f/2.8 II mounted on my 5D M III and 7D M II. At times, I also have my Canon Tele 2 III mounted. I have a tripod as well, but when moving around at a sporting event, the mono is more convenient.
Mark

sjrw wrote:

I have seen sports photographers with enormous heavy lenses and a monopod. Is a monopod really stable? Will it hold my camera steady enough at a low shutter speed on a 70-200? I have a tripod but don't use it.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

sjrw wrote:

I have seen sports photographers with enormous heavy lenses and a monopod. Is a monopod really stable? Will it hold my camera steady enough at a low shutter speed on a 70-200? I have a tripod but don't use it.

You mentioned "sports" and their mono's. What sport?

If covering a football game, it is against the rules to use a tripod around the field. If support is needed a mono is the only thing possible. My 70 - 200 is not a huge lens so handheld works for me. If that's what you have, yes, a mono will work.

Some high school and less sort-of look the other way at people with tripods. Often other photographers and sometimes the officials will inform the "parents" of kids. I guessing here but about 50 feet distance is the limit.

whitewolfowner

sjrw wrote:

I have seen sports photographers with enormous heavy lenses and a monopod. Is a monopod really stable? Will it hold my camera steady enough at a low shutter speed on a 70-200? I have a tripod but don't use it.

Yes, monopod will help a whole lot and give you much more stability than a hand held camera will, but not as much as a tripod will. It will take practice just as hand holding will. With practice, if you are good, you can use a 70-200 at shutter speeds down to 1/15 or lower. Of course it al depends on you. Some will get great results even 1/2, while others will have trouble at 1/20. All you can do is get one and practice with it and find your limit.