amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I use both, depending upon the situation.

A monopod leaves you a lot more mobile than a tripod, yet can still help support the weight. You wouldn't want to handhold those big lenses for more than a few minutes.

Some sports venues won't allow a tripod along the sidelines, as it can pose a serious risk to competitors.

That said, a good quality tripod is more stable than a monopod.

With really big lenses a gimbal head on a tripod can be really helpful, making movement and subject tracking near effortless. Typically a 70-200mm really isn't big or heavy enough to benefit very much from a gimbal head.

It is incorrect to say that stabilization always needs to be turned off on a tripod. That's simply not true. In fact, if using the tripod "loose", such as with a gimbal head, it can and should usually be left on. I don't presume to know much about other brands, but with respect to Canon stabilized lenses (which I have used for over fifteen years) IS can usually be left on, even when the lens is solidly locked down on a tripod. Out of the 80+ Canon lenses currently offered, around half of which have IS, only three or four use the type of IS that must be turned off on a tripod (and all of those are types of lenses that lend themselves to handheld shooting, are less likely to want to use with a tripod). Most Canon IS lenses "self-detect" and will automatically turn off IS when it's not needed. A lot of Canon manuals and other documentation recommend turning it off simply to save some battery power. (However, if you think about it, the same power will be conserved when IS turns it's self off.)

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I use a monopod for sports like football, soccer, field hockey, baseball etc.. Not only does it help steady the lens, but it takes the weight of you. For some sports, when shooting close, such as basketball, I'm using a lighter lens, perhaps with VR, and I go hand held. When using a monopod for sports I rarely, if ever, use VR as my shutter speed is sufficient to stop motion. What steadying device I use is strictly dependent upon the shot that I am looking for. I have never used a tripod shooting action sports. Best of luck.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

A monopod is quite useful under the conditions those folks are shooting and easily supports lenses that would be difficult to hand hold for more than a few seconds. I've used both and found the monopod, under certain circumstances a lot more convenient.
--Bob

louparker Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

As various members have noted, there are times when a monopod works better than a tripod and vice versa -- I use both depending the situation: obviously a monopod is better for sports, action or when you can't or don't want to take the time to set up a tripod; on the other hand obviously a tripod is a must for time or multiple exposures, sharp landscapes, portraits, etc. With that in mind, I would like to find a good, but not exorbitantly priced combo tripod/monopod so I can take both on trips -- any recommendations?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Mefoto makes something that might be to your liking. http://www.mefoto.com
--Bob

Al Bruton

In shooting sports you are using high shutter speeds, maximum motor drive on moving subjects. A monopod allows you to quickly move your camera system to match the action and get the angles you want. A tripod is difficult to move around quicky. You are often in tight quarters with other shooters and your system will be hit by others trying to move their shooting angle. Plus you will piss of other shooters.

Billy Britt

I often use a Benro high quality monopod combined with a Canon body and a 150-600mm lens when wildlife shooting. In many places the ground is just too uneven for a tripod. Because you may be in the same place for hours waiting for the shot the monopod not only steadies the shot but helps with the weight of the heavy glass. Also it's quicker than handheld since the camera is already in "position" instead of swinging it up from your hip when the elusive animal or bird decides to show itself. Also, the monopod makes a good walking stick in rough terrain.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

The monopod is excellent for situations that have action. It does have limitations (burkphoto and jerryc41 both state them) that means there is a learning curve. I made some excellent action images at the Long Beach Grand Prix with my monopod a few years ago. Leave the VR on is my advice.

Ron SS Loc: Silver Spring, MD

Re tripod and/or monopod and using image stabilization at the same time. Ye olde technocrat says:
As almost always, it depends. If you have a stationary subject and a stationary camera on a tripod, turn camera / lens stabilization off.
Stabilization keeps hunting for maximum contrast so it is likely to be actively hunting slightly off optimum focus when you trip the shutter.
If the subject is moving or you are using an almost steady monopod, I would advise keeping stabilization active. That way you will be closer to good focus when you trip the shutter.
Side note: Since electronic flash is very fast and itself stops most motion, turn off stabilization when main light is from flash. As above, stabilization will likely be hunting when the shutter AND flash fires. If you have flash photos that were not as sharp as you expected, perhaps you had stabilization turned on.

CO

This was when I was doing some shots at very slow shutter speeds. I wanted to see just how slow I could have the shutter speed and still have reasonably steady shots. When I had the photos open on my computer later I zoomed in and could see much more motion blur in the side-to-side direction than in the vertical direction.

whitewolfowner

That makes sense too, since the vertical is harder to swing than the horizontal. How slow could you shoot with the monopod and with what lens?

CO

I think the shutter speed was around 1/30 sec. The lens was a Nikon 70-300mm. I try to use my tripod much more. A monopod is no substitute for a tripod.

WarrenT Loc: Iowa

I like to use a monopod for macro work in the field (wildflowers, butterflies, etc.). For me a tripod is too time consuming and cumbersome to get set up quickly for critters that move. I have the monopod mounted to the camera and extend it when I find a subject. Sometimes it works.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

*(I love that last sentence.) LoL

Ron SS Loc: Silver Spring, MD

I use tripods, big, heavy, light, small. I also use a monopod. The one I can conveniently carry and have with me at the time is the one I use.
A monopod is not as steady as a tripod, but I will usually have it with me when needed. Transporting a tripod requires additional considerations and frequently is not the way to go. Also, many applications as WarrenT mentions above, greatly benefit from the quick mobility a monopod allows.