a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

I have a SIRUI P-326 monopod and I'm quite happy with it. However, I'm thinking about adding a 3-feet attachment to the bottom end. Amazon has several at reasonable prices.

Does anyone have actual experience with:
A. adding feet to existing monopod?
B. a particular brand or model that was either notably good or notably bad?
C. experience with a monopod that has feet, even if it came with them, to suggest that this is a good or bad idea?
D. any "gotchas" to consider that are not immediately obvious?

No, I don't want to use a tripod.

Thanks in advance.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Well, the only thing I can think of against the little feet thingy would be on sloped/uneven ground.
To get/keep the monopod vertical, all the feet would not be on the ground at the same time.
Seems a monopod foot would would just be easier to work with in that case.
And easier to tote or store.

It will be interesting to see why people like them. I wouldn't put a set of feet on my monopod.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

I have a number of Bogen/Manfrotto monopods with feet that I have used for a long time.
I offer this advice from bitter experience.
DO NOT, under any circumstances, trust one outside.
Inside, make absolutely sure it is perfectly balanced and that you cannot accidentally bump into it.
They work well as a mount for a remote/slave flash.

You may be safe with a small lightweight camera but anything heavy and/or large can lead to disaster in the wind.
Bottom line is do not put too much trust in them.
If you have expensive gear and long lenses, this is not an option!!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Adding feet does not turn it into a tripod of any worth.
I'd NOT leave a camera un-held on a monopod with feet anywhere. (I kinda thought that would be a given.)

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Yes, for me it would be a given. But thanks for saying it. I would only use it like a foot-less monopod but hoping to get additional resistance to motion when using long lens (500mm) for birds.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I imagine it would sway a bit less, but not sure how much.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Monopods are not camera supports in the sense of tripods. They are only meant to reduce camera shake when hand-holding a camera. The pole on the ground stops most up and down movement. If the camera has IBIS or the lens has ILIS/VR/VC/IS, then nearly all camera movement will be stopped, and you only have to worry about subject movement.

But I've never heard of anyone standing a monopod on its own, regardless of what sorts of feet are attached. There ARE some convertible tripods with removable monopods used for the center column.

jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

I recently bought a Famall mo opod with feet from Amazon. It weighs 4 lbs, so not lightweight.
The feet are adjustable for ground conditions.
It is fairly sturdy, It can hold my camera with 150-500 lens fairly well, but I held firmly to the strap.
Only cost $100

MJPerini

I've used Monopods quit a bit and for still photography there are only 2 'feet' you really need (besides your own)
A Non slip rubber one and some kid of spike for rough terrain. And those are built in to most monopod designs.
Manfrotto made a pop out mini tripod "foot' (which I own because it was built in) and it is really meant for video to help panning and 'leaning'.
My Wife has the manfrotto pistol grip 'automatic " monopod (squeeze the trigger and it unlocks the sections, release and they lock. That one comes with a fold out foot that is meant for you to step on. She likes it, but it is really more useful for video.
A Monopod is not really a 'substitute' for a Tripod, as much as it is for situations where a tripod is impractical, but you want more stability than hand holding, or for overhead or super low angle shots (Camera on a stick).
If you do not shoot video, the little 3 footed mini tripod base seems useless to me.And if you do shoot video make sure you get one with a universal joint

IBIS has made monopods less important than they used to be, for those with IBIS in all their cameras

aogom Loc: Livermore, California

If you add feet to a monopod you lose the ability to pivot the monopod and then you will need some sore of head to allow the camera to move independent of the monopod.
Sirui used to sell the tripod feet in different lengths but no longer does so.
I use a Leofoto LS-223C mini tripod which can be spread out flat allowing you to stand on one of the tripod legs and steady the monopod.The 3/8 stud screws into the bottom of my monopod. I thought the 3/8 stud was a little short and replaced it with a longer 3/8 stainless bolt.
Also I use Arca Swiss monoball head to allow camera movement to track moving objects. I find the biggest drawback to the monoball is the drag adjustment has no index to it and is frusterating to get back to a setting I liked.
I tried some different ballheads the monoball worked best for me.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

A monopod plus your two legs and feet is a type of tripod. If the monopod has feet, your effective tripod feels more stable. I use a length-adjustable monopod with feet connected by a gimbal. The stiffness of the gimbal can be adjusted. It provides more stability than a monopod without feet. It provides more firm contact with the ground, and I can step on one of the feet and get great stability at lower monopod angles (photographing flowers for example). But even with the monopod vertical and gimbal locked, I would never trust it to hold a camera and lens without me holding it.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

The feet may give you a litt more surface grip in certain terrane but it is NOT meant to convert your monopod to a stand-alone tripod.

If you need more stability when usg a monopod, check out his link- it is a detailed tutorial on maximizing monopod usage- it's all in the technique.

https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Monopod

User ID

I agree. A mini tripod at the tip of a monopod is a solution seeking a problem.

As a feetless user, I can foresee only a less practical tool resulting from this useless idea. Monopods do what they are intended to do and they do that verrrrrry well.

The OP asks us not to suggest a tripod, so I wont do that. Instead I would recommend stamp collecting.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

He'll need a macro lens for that...