advice on use of monopod
Nov 9, 2017 12:51:26 #
Ted Evans
Loc: Jasper, AL
I have shot many by handheld, less with
a tripod and have a little used monopod.
There are occasions when a monopod will
be best but I need to hear from one who
uses one much more. The question is
about slowest recommended shutter speed
with a monopod. I do mostly scenics in
woods as well as squirrels, birds, etc. I
use Canon 5D iii and 7Dii with either 24-105 ii or 100-400ii often when a tripod is
too cumbersome. I am familiar with hand
held guideline. How different with m-pod?
Ted Evans
a tripod and have a little used monopod.
There are occasions when a monopod will
be best but I need to hear from one who
uses one much more. The question is
about slowest recommended shutter speed
with a monopod. I do mostly scenics in
woods as well as squirrels, birds, etc. I
use Canon 5D iii and 7Dii with either 24-105 ii or 100-400ii often when a tripod is
too cumbersome. I am familiar with hand
held guideline. How different with m-pod?
Ted Evans
Nov 9, 2017 12:58:56 #
No shutterspeed differences between hand-held and using a monopod. The tool simply gives you more stability over 100% hand held. IS should be active on the lens even when a monopod is used.
Nov 9, 2017 13:28:41 #
I was able to use a monopod with my zoom at 200 on my cropped sensor Nikon D3400 at an indoor high school wrestling match with super results. I don't think I would have been as successful with handheld and a tripod would have limited my flexibility too much. Shot usually at 1/100-1/250. I assume the 200 mm would equate to greater and the 1/100 would not have been fast enough. I tried to use the monopod with the zoom at 300 for a part of a landscape and couldn't get good results without also bracing the camera against a wall. I have a tripod footpiece for the monopod and that gives some stability, but not enough when I tried the landscape shot.
Nov 9, 2017 15:11:28 #
I find 1 to 2 stops. Depends on the camera and lens. 1/15th with a 50mm and a Leica M6. 1/60th with a Nikon F2 and 300mm, both film. I have less consistent results with digital VR lens and monopod. I find about a stop and leave VR on--that is a stop better than hand held with VR. In all cases, you have some misses when pushing it, but I find a 60-80% hit rate acceptable in marginal shooting conditions. I find it much more useful for film. The main benefit for large digital zooms is to prevent fatigue, at least for me.
Nov 9, 2017 16:07:32 #
A lot of places do not allow the use of a tripod - it stops pedestrian flow at busy times (Cathedrals, public buildings etc) A monopod gets around this. Shutter speed depends upon how 'good you are' in most cases. I find that with a monopod you can still 'create' a tripod's stability by leaning it against a fixed object as well as holding it. (Sticking it in the crook of a tree for example or against a stone wall) Depending on whether you leave the camera on all the time, a monopod doubles as a walking stick or for poking around 'gardening' a plant of fallen leaves and detritus. Folded up I clip mine to my belt so that it hangs like a sword scabbord. out of the way and hands free.
Nov 10, 2017 05:30:08 #
Ted Evans wrote:
I have shot many by handheld, less with br a tripo... (show quote)
A monopod can help, but it's never going to be as steady as a tripod. It can be helpful for low shutter speed shots. As for carrying it, it's a lot easier than carrying a tripod. I should use mine more.
Nov 10, 2017 06:24:43 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
No shutterspeed differences between hand-held and using a monopod. The tool simply gives you more stability over 100% hand held. IS should be active on the lens even when a monopod is used.
Nov 10, 2017 06:44:53 #
Robert Bailey
Loc: Canada
The monopod is a compromise- less stable than a tripod,
but gives a bit of support versus "hand-held".
As someone else has suggested, it might gain you 1 or 2 stops of shutter speed.
As someone else has suggested, it might gain you nothing- just help support a longer lens.
but gives a bit of support versus "hand-held".
As someone else has suggested, it might gain you 1 or 2 stops of shutter speed.
As someone else has suggested, it might gain you nothing- just help support a longer lens.
Nov 10, 2017 07:17:37 #
I use a monopod 70% of the time. there re so many different ways to use one. seldom do I shoot under 1/200 sec. the only time I shoot at 1/165 sec is at an air show to get prop blur.
Nov 10, 2017 08:00:07 #
Big monopod user here; only use tripod for “static” subjects. My monopod has logged many, many miles. I use it for rugby, where I am always running up and down the sidelines, wrestling and horse events, where I am always moving. Use it with my 150-600 via a gimbal head with good results for wildlife and birds.
Nov 10, 2017 09:16:55 #
I have never used a monopod and it is not my intention to use one in my lifetime. I have never seen a professional landscape photographer using a monopod. I do see them often using monopods at sports events where I can clearly see they are justified. A monopod is not as stable as a tripod.
If you are using lenses or cameras with image stabilization you have an advantage except when it comes to composition. In my case I prefer a tripod for that. Image stabilization today offers between 3 and 4 stops advantage and that can be very useful when a tripod cannot be used.
In my humble opinion a tripod is not an accessory it is a necessity.
If you are using lenses or cameras with image stabilization you have an advantage except when it comes to composition. In my case I prefer a tripod for that. Image stabilization today offers between 3 and 4 stops advantage and that can be very useful when a tripod cannot be used.
In my humble opinion a tripod is not an accessory it is a necessity.
Nov 10, 2017 09:32:58 #
Nitroclimber
Loc: Nebraska
I use a monopod for low light wrestling as well as wildlife such as elk. I also have a tripod, but enjoy the maneuverability that the monopod gives me. I can get sharply focused shots with 150-600 zoom lens or get wrestling shots that stop action from standing or sitting positions (200mm and less). I basically use the formula of 1/focal length for shutter speed unless a higher shutter speed is required to curb motion blur while using aperture priority.
Nov 10, 2017 12:15:37 #
How slow a shutter speed you can use when using a monopod depends on your ability to hold things steady. One trick I found to help steady a tripod is to hold it against yourself and wrap one leg around the leg of the tripod. You have to have good balance or lean on something for it to be effective and of course it takes practice. A tripod is not a sound device for steadying the camera but an assistant. You have to experiment to find ways for it to be of help sometimes.
Nov 10, 2017 12:22:24 #
Ted Evans wrote:
I have shot many by handheld, less with br a tripo... (show quote)
I use monopods extensively with longer lenses especially. Shutter speeds depend on how long the lens is and distance to subject ( magnification) - and if you are panning or not.
I use facial stabilizers on the camera - a great asset. I recommend using the Manfro monopod stabilizer as shown below. Proper use of monopod are with your legs spread apart and the pod leaning back towards you with the manfro stabilizer hitting you in the belly or chest.
In this configuration, you need a head that has a panning feature on the TOP ! - like this one - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Panoramic-Tilt-Ball-Head-with-Quick-Release-Plate-for-Monopod-Tripod/132249842987?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Nov 10, 2017 12:28:15 #
camerapapi wrote:
I have never used a monopod and it is not my inten... (show quote)
There are many places (landscapes) where using a tripod is much more dangerous than a tripod ! And I have no reservations about using a mono for landscapes - and have done it - even with a 4X5 camera !
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