Shooting Macro with a monopod? My wife and I shoot macro with a 105mm Nikon lens and a d7100 camera. It is a bit heavy for her and we do have a tri-pod but I think the monopod would be...

roche8410 Loc: Arizona

My wife and I shoot macro with a 105mm Nikon lens and a d7100 camera. It is a bit heavy for her and we do have a tri-pod but I think the monopod would be faster to setup. I was wondering if anyone is using a monopod for macro shooting and what there thoughts are on this. Is it stable enough to use manual focus is one question I have. Also what would be a good one for this type of shooting if it does work? Thank you

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

That depends entirely upon your shutter speed. 1/30 sec then no. 1/1000 sec, then absolutely.

Dave_TX

Manual focusing with the camera on a monopod is a real trick. Even if you keep the strap around your neck and stretch it tight you will have trouble maintaining the distance from the focal plane to the subject steady.

amehta Loc: Boston

roche8410 wrote:

My wife and I shoot macro with a 105mm Nikon lens and a d7100 camera. It is a bit heavy for her and we do have a tri-pod but I think the monopod would be faster to setup. I was wondering if anyone is using a monopod for macro shooting and what there thoughts are on this. Is it stable enough to use manual focus is one question I have. Also what would be a good one for this type of shooting if it does work? Thank you

I do use a monopod for macro shots, and find it very convenient. I use the Induro carbon fiber monopods, but the aluminum ones should work well too (link). A tilt-head like the Manfrotto 234RC Tilt Head would work well with it.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

I use mine all the time....especially when I'm using my 200mm macro lens...SB29 ring flash...it gets a bit heavy. Actually I'm looking for a better one...heavy duty and a little shorter.

ASR666 Loc: Singapore

I use a monopod as it helps me control the distance from subject more precisely.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Best practice is to use a tripod. At close to 1:1 a monopod is as uncontrollable as no pod. Depth of field might help a bit for focus, but most lenses soften due to diffraction beyond F11. And smaller lens openings mean slower shutter speeds and/or higher ISO. Use a tripod for best results.

amehta Loc: Boston

Gene51 wrote:

Best practice is to use a tripod. At close to 1:1 a monopod is as uncontrollable as no pod.

I think this depends on the user.

roche8410 Loc: Arizona

200mm macro lens that must be like lead! What would you consider a good mono-pod. I could see where shorter would be better in most cases. Thanks

Kingmapix Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Hard to shoot downward from a monopod.

CAM1017 Loc: Chiloquin, Oregon

roche8410 wrote:

My wife and I shoot macro with a 105mm Nikon lens and a d7100 camera. It is a bit heavy for her and we do have a tri-pod but I think the monopod would be faster to setup. I was wondering if anyone is using a monopod for macro shooting and what there thoughts are on this. Is it stable enough to use manual focus is one question I have. Also what would be a good one for this type of shooting if it does work? Thank you

Doing macro work, three legs are better then one. A mono pod might work some of the time but with the limited depth of field you are working with it could be pretty iffy getting everything in focus you want. :roll:

robertperry Loc: Sacramento, Ca.

Using a mono pod is not worth the effort. Even when I brace myself with one leg on a tree, post,etc. and arms tucked in, there is still slight back and forth movement. Can't beat a tripod.