Use of Monopods (Page 4): I use mine all the time. It's a Sirui carbon fiber one with 3 fold down legs on the bottom and a ball head on top - kind of a cross between a tripod and a...

TKT Loc: New Mexico

I use mine all the time. It's a Sirui carbon fiber one with 3 fold down legs on the bottom and a ball head on top - kind of a cross between a tripod and a regular monopod. Step on one of the legs for extra stability. It lets me do my photography again as without it I'm hopeless, having a mobility impairment.

dikh123

I have four Manfrotto tripods of varying size. The "beast" 546B I use for my slider system and long telephoto. The other tripods I use according to environment I will be shooting in. What I would suggest for hiking would be a good monopod. I have a mid-level Oben monopod for my wildlife shooting when I have to be mobile. It is light, sturdy, and collapses to a small size so I can leave the camera attached and go about the business of taking images.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

I also use a collapsing monopod with a removable knob head and now find its use necessary due to my balance problems while walking. Since I have balance problems while walking, I also have problems while standing trying to take a shot while looking through the camera. It really comes in handy when taking shots from a low angle with the camera 1 foot off the floor. I don't have to get on the floor and better yet I don't have to fight to get off the ground. If I do end up on the ground, it helps me get up off the ground. If I ever do get rid of the monopod, it would be for the purpose of getting a better one.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

DrWilk wrote:

How many people actually use a monopod on a regular basis? Do you find it useful? Convenient? Worth buying or bothering with?

I'm contemplating getting one for use while hiking around the mountains hereabouts but I'm just not convinced theyre worthwhile.

Any advice will appreciated.

Here's another way to use a monopod. http://isaacber.blogspot.com/2015/07/mono-cane.html

Don Fischer Loc: Antelope, Ore

I've got one and have tried it a few times. Can't hold the camera still on it. But every now and then I try it again. Only lens I use on it is a Sigma 170-500.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I've had walking sticks for years that had a camera mount on the top. However, they never worked too well for stablizing my camera. I bought a monopod with feet a few months ago. It works really well as a camera support, but not so great as a walking stick. Now if someone would design one with the best of both, that would be ideal.

Eurolux Loc: NYC

I keep my monopod in my car and use it much more often than my tripod. Although the monopod has limitations it is very easy to set up and use. The tripod is much more stable, but cumbersome and obvious too. The monopod has been used in crowds of people, on rooftops and other places where a tripod wouldn't work at all. It was one of my best gear purchases.

DrWilk Loc: .

Thank you everyone for your input on this. I greatly appreciate it. From all the responses it seems that the people who do use one regularily like them a lot. So what the heck.....they're not that expensive so I might as well get one. Thanks to all.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

DrWilk wrote:

How many people actually use a monopod on a regular basis? Do you find it useful? Convenient? Worth buying or bothering with?

I'm contemplating getting one for use while hiking around the mountains hereabouts but I'm just not convinced theyre worthwhile.

Any advice will appreciated.

Based on your post consider a hunters shooting stick, usually has a 1/4x20 screw for a ball head, works as a walking stick, I have one, came with big round head and a V head for a rifle, always thought I could rest a long tele in it if I ever get one long enough, takes a ball head too, strong enough for hiking, inexpensive too. Bob.

fstops1957 Loc: New Hampshire

Great for supporting the weight of a long tele. I use mine all the time at sporting events. No head just monopod to lens foot.It supports the weight of the lens over long time periods such as watching a batter or second base in baseball. It definitely adds stability but not comparable to a tripod.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Dr. Wilk, Thank you for posting the question. I now feel somewhat better about the fact that my 10+ year old monopod has spent most of its life resting on my spare tire in the car. My takeaway from this discussion is that it you're shooting with super-long (over 500mm) glass, hiking the Appalachian Trail, or keeping wolves at bay, a monopod is a must; otherwise, consider using a ski pole. You can always count on UHH for clarification.

Don Fischer Loc: Antelope, Ore

Sitting here thinking. For steadying up a rifle when shooting in the field, shooter's use a Bi Pod, two leg's.Doesn't seem to me that would be so hard to do. Where the rifle rest's on the Bi Pod, install a tripod head of some type. Having that, it could be used as a walking stick and a camera support, much more solid than a monopod.

DrWilk Loc: .

That's roughly my take on it as well.For some people theyre great, others just okay and still others theyre basically worthless. Like so many other photography questions the answers depend on........... But I do appreciate the replies I got.

rdgreenwood wrote:

Dr. Wilk, Thank you for posting the question. I now feel somewhat better about the fact that my 10+ year old monopod has spent most of its life resting on my spare tire in the car. My takeaway from this discussion is that it you're shooting with super-long (over 500mm) glass, hiking the Appalachian Trail, or keeping wolves at bay, a monopod is a must; otherwise, consider using a ski pole. You can always count on UHH for clarification.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

DrWilk wrote:

How many people actually use a monopod on a regular basis? Do you find it useful? Convenient? Worth buying or bothering with?

I'm contemplating getting one for use while hiking around the mountains hereabouts but I'm just not convinced theyre worthwhile.

Any advice will appreciated.

I don't like them, but find that use of a tripod is better for me.

DVJ

I have several monopods of different sizes and weights.

I always use one for Friday night high school football -- who wants to handhold a 300/2.8 all night? plus, I can lean against it when I feel like it.

I take a tripod when in the Everglades for sites near my car, but use the monopod when I go into the wild.

The smaller, lighter monopod is useful when sitting in a theater or stadium.

I suggest you try one -- until then you may not know how useful they can be.