I do mostly landscape/outdoor photography.
I'm wondering, if you have a good tripod, is a monopod a useful tool to have, and when would you use it? Which do you prefer and why?
I have both and I use the monopod when either I or the subject are moving at speeds that the tripod becomes a hinderance.
If the speeds get to where the monopod hinders, I handhold.
Hope that helps.
Edit: wording changed for clarity.
BassmanBruce wrote:
I have both and I use the monopod when both I and the subject are moving at speeds that the tripod becomes a hinderance.
If the speeds get to where the monopod hinders, I handhold.
Hope that helps.
Edit: wording changed for clarity.
Same as Bassman. His advice is good and the same I would give you. Also some places do not allow tripods but allow Monopods...
I use the monopod on hikes for a hiking stick. I also have a quick release mount for the camerawhen needed.📷
A tripod is far superior. You can't really use monopods when using long shutter speeds. With a monopod you can still get considerable side to side motion blur.
Holding a full frame camera body and, lets say, a 70-200 with a teleconverter can get tiring. Monopods help stabilize.
For landscapes a tripod, for quick moving shots a mono-pod can assist sometimes.
Kevin.M wrote:
I do mostly landscape/outdoor photography.
I'm wondering, if you have a good tripod, is a monopod a useful tool to have, and when would you use it? Which do you prefer and why?
I have two monopods and I can't remember that last time I used one. For how I shoot I just don't find them useful. I've tried to like them but it just won't stick. I realize there are times to use one, like the sidelines at the super-bowl but I just haven't gotten around to shooting a super-bowl yet!! And I DO shoot a lot of sports with both heavy cameras and heavy lenses.
I think the biggest problem with a monopod, especially with a heavy lens is that you can NEVER set it down. You wouldn't be able to unwrap a sandwich without the whole thing flipping upside down!!!
Maybe just me!
SS
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
Kevin.M wrote:
I do mostly landscape/outdoor photography.
I'm wondering, if you have a good tripod, is a monopod a useful tool to have, and when would you use it? Which do you prefer and why?
If I can't hand-hold I will use a tripod. The reasons are usually a heavy lens or low light levels, or needing to use long shutter speeds to shoot waterfalls etc. If I am at an all-day event like an equine Hunter-Jumper competition, even a modestly heavy lens, like a 70-200 F2.8 will feel like it weighs 15 lbs. after a few hours. A monopod or a Cotton Carrier chest harness will help in those situations. I do not use a monopod to add stability, I use it just to lighten the load.
Kevin.M wrote:
I do mostly landscape/outdoor photography.
I'm wondering, if you have a good tripod, is a monopod a useful tool to have, and when would you use it? Which do you prefer and why?
I have both, but use the tripod more. Actually, I shoot hand-held the most. The monopod is good you a tripod is too big, too much, and you need just a bit more stabilization.
Kevin.M wrote:
I do mostly landscape/outdoor photography.
I'm wondering, if you have a good tripod, is a monopod a useful tool to have, and when would you use it? Which do you prefer and why?
I have three sturdy monopods, they reside somewhere in the back of my Van, and have only been used for walking sticks.
My tripod rules!!!! Its Big, heavy, carbon fiber, expensive and it is stable in anything short of a hurricane (J/K) but it has withstood unruly brats bumping in to it.
I bought this tripod after going thru a number of lower priced units and finding them unstable, and having a near disaster. Why would you but a Lexas and put 2ply tires on it?
Kevin.M wrote:
I do mostly landscape/outdoor photography.
I'm wondering, if you have a good tripod, is a monopod a useful tool to have, and when would you use it? Which do you prefer and why?
I use a Manfrotto 680B with a 234RC head. I have not and don't think I would ever use it for landscape but it always goes with me when I travel when I'm visiting tourist sites like folk villages and markets and downtown areas. It makes a big difference in my camera stability, that is the photos taken with it in most cases are noticeably sharper than without. At 22 inches long it is easy to carry and attach and set up. I don't use it every day but 3 or 4 times a year I will use it every day for a week or 10 days when I traveling or covering an event. Having said that, I have to say I'm just not as steady as I used to be and I mostly use a Canon 28-300 lens that weighs 3.5 lbs. The 680B has been discontinued but they are still available on the internet and many others are comparable.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Kevin.M wrote:
I do mostly landscape/outdoor photography.
I'm wondering, if you have a good tripod, is a monopod a useful tool to have, and when would you use it? Which do you prefer and why?
For landscape I use a tripod. My monopod is collecting dust. I generally use a lot of filters which slows my shutter speed, a monopod is useless under those conditions.
I have both and use both but I shoot a lot of handheld too. A tripod is more useful and versatile indoors and out, but some places don't allow tripods. I look at a monopod as a weight support and not so much for stability. I shoot with enough shutter speed to control any shake...I hope.
Best,
Todd Ferguson
I mainly do spur of the moment type stuff. I see something and I stop to get a picture or two ... or three ... or 50 ... By the time I set a tripod or a monopod up whatever I'm photographing would be gone most of the time
Kevin.M wrote:
I do mostly landscape/outdoor photography.
I'm wondering, if you have a good tripod, is a monopod a useful tool to have, and when would you use it? Which do you prefer and why?
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