photog11 Loc: San Francisco

I recently bought a monopod (Manfrotto MPMXPROA4) and a quick-release plate (Manfrotto 394). I bought it with the plate to avoid having to screw in the camera each time I wanted to use the monopod. The brochure recommends against carrying the monopod with the camera attached. I carry a D750 and a 70-200 mm lens. Does anyone have experience with this (or similar) combination? How risky is it to do this?

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

If it says don't, then there's a good reason. My quick release plate stays on my camera for convenience, but it's not convenient to move around with the neckstrap around my neck and tripod dangling down. The neckstrap is the only holder I feel secure with, even with my harness on.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

The main risk is whacking someone with the monopod.

Whenever I do with a tripod I also hold onto the camera strap. Some bigger lenses advise not letting the camera only support them.

jhkfly

There are a couple off risks that should be obvious: the length of the pole and camera combination allows opportunity for banging the camera against a nearby object while moving, and the risk that the weight of the camera will swing it into the ground unless you are holding the camera itself (which then allows the monopod to catch on nearby objects while you are focused on where to put your next step.

-As I have discovered, a Canon 70-200 mm lens is a weighty fulcrum on a camera and needs to be countered consciously. So if you do want to ignore the brochure's caveat, keep your hand(s) on the camera!

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Thanks IDguy. That's a problem I hadn't thought of... I usually do my walks alone. Good advice to hold onto the strap as well.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

It is awkward, you can hit people and things. (the people get pi$$ed, the things and/or your camera get broken) Your 750 is fairly big and heavy and will make that monopod very out of balance when carrying. Plus with any QR plate there is always the chance it will "release" and drop the camera - the risk is higher with larger heavier cameras.

My gimbal head has a screw to tension the QR plate and a spring loaded stop to keep the QR plate from sliding out - and I still don't trust it, I hold the camera/lens with one hand and the tripod with the other to move them a short distance. If going a longer distance I take the camera/lens off and use the neck strap, with one hand holding the camera or with a longer lens cradled in the elbow of my left arm and the right hand carrying the tripod (sometimes over my shoulder). My other heads with "lever" type QR I always remove the camera/lens for more than a short distance. I have two monopods, both carbon fiber and light. One has the snap type leg section holders that one I will just collapse and carry the camera cradled in my left arm with the mono hanging - it is also the lighter of the monopods.

All my longer lenses have collars and tripod mounting foot - I always mount the lens to the tri or monopod, never the camera.

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Thanks jhkfly. You are right. Those risks should have been obvious to me... but weren't.

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Thanks Robert. I respect your opinion, and will give up on the idea of carrying the camera mounted to the monopod.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

When shooting motor sport I used a monopod almost all the time, did not use a quick release plate (didn't want it releasing at the wrong time) and just carried the combination over my shoulder.
Here is an example. (that is not me).
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(Download)

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Or accidentally whacking the camera/lens mounted on the tripod against a wall, tree, door frame, the ground, etc. Or maybe even tripping over the monopod while holding the camera.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Out at the Railway Museum I once spotted a guy with a very heavy duty monopod he seemed to be using as a walking stick. It appeared to have a large head mounted on it but no sign of a camera being carried by either him or his friend. They got closer, it was not a head, it was a smart phone mounted on a monopod that was not only heavy enough to use as a walking stick but it would have made a good quarter staff for self defense, if you knew how to use a quarter staff.

In fact his monopod was heavier built than the one in the picture a few posts back.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I have carried film SLR's, film medium format and digital SLR,s on monopods and tripods across my shoulder for about forty years, mostly in the bush with no problems. I shorten the legs or the monopod and constantly check that the camera is tightly attached and have NEVER had any problems. And I will continue to do so as long as I'm able to walk.

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Thank you, Chief. Shortening the leg is a good idea... as is constantly checking the attachment. Did/do you use a QR plate?

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Thank you, Richard. That guy looks like he's getting into trouble with the chains and the tires.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Nope, no QR plate.