Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

There is nothing as stable as the three-legged variety, is there? ... Even when you can't be absolutely level, there is a better chance you're going to be fully stabilized!
That said, there are a number of advocates of the single-stem. Although I can see there are some moments when it could be advantageous, as opposed to nothing - it's probably better one chooses the tripod over the monopod, at all times. Even the rickiest three-legged stand is going to be a better approach than the single pole.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Different tools for different jobs.
A good tripod for stability.
A monopod to help with the weight of heavy lenses on long shoots, although you may pick up a stop or so in stability.

Some venues will not let you use tripods so in some cases a monopod may be the only choice.

Have you ever used a monopod, Chris?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Never have, actually, Richard ...

Considered adding one to my pack at one point ... never did, though ... never made a whole lotta sense to me ....

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

......That is the first thing I thought when reading your OP .....! Sadly, your attitude is shared by many others who have missed the boat .

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

I may well have missed the ferry, Larry ... but space is at such a premium on those things, you can't really use a tripod, anyway ...

So, apart from an obvious advantage on a ferry boat, on what other boat do you think it would be a good idea to use a monopod, Larry?

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Properly positioned, they're better than nothing at the longer focal lengths. Your legs are the other two legs of the tripod.

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

As was stated above each has its place in the photographers tool kit. There are at least 2 ways to use a monopod; the first is like one sees at sporting events with the big lens crowd down next to the action. In this case these folks are using the monopod to provide vertical support for that big honking lens, the pitch, roll, and yaw axis are still free to move (to borrow aeronautical terms)

The other way to use a monopod is to use it along with the photographer's body to construct an impromptu tripod with the monopod being the front leg and the users two legs being the back two legs of the tripod. In order for this to work the user has to spread his or her legs apart and place some of their weight on the monopod (by leaning forward.) With a little practice it can be effective as long as the user can be really still and as long as the monopod is stiff enough to support the needed weight. It also helps to practice pressing the shutter release while exhaling ( just like shooting a firearm.) The obvious advantage is when you can't pack a tripod or the location won't allow a tripod.

3dees

any one use a mono pod with the legs on the bottom. there is a small Japanese garden that has waterfalls. they allow mono pods but not tri pods. how long of an exposer can you get with that sort of a mono pod?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

But, Dave ... typically, shooting a firearm, you are holding it with both hands ... a luxury you cannot afford with a camera, as one's always at the controls ...

It just seems to me, the moment you press the shutter whilst bracing the weight on a single pole ... the vibration caused is going to continue thru-out the lens length!

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

I don't have any idea, DDD - how long of an exposure can you get using a monopod with little feet on it, at a waterfall at a Japanese garden, which won't allow tripods?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Oh, I agree with you, there, G ... if the alternative is nothing ... then, you are better off with a monopod - little feet attached at the bottom, or no ....

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

Well you are supporting your weight mostly on your two legs but with your left hand holding the top of the monopod and your right hand on the side of the camera and index finger on the shutter control so you are using both hands to control the camera. And I should mention within limits the further out front of your body you have the bottom of the Monopod the better, maybe three to four feet depending on your height. And in the case of a long/heavy lens the attachment point to the monopod should be close to the balance point of the camera/lens combination.

Is it just as good as having a tripod? No. Is it better than hand holding? Yes. I can manage exposures in the 1 to 2 second range that are reasonable depending on other conditions like terrain.

And you do need a good rigid monopod, cause just like with tripods; there are good ones and not so good ones.

I'm currently using a Benro MAD49A
https://www.adorama.com/bemad49a.html?PPC=Y&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiAq6_UBRCEARIsAHyrgUzaIdQITVj76YWKagEGRb_EvSl17Am64v-WNmsy8ME-ZbQIzvnIj_QaAiMzEALw_wcB

which I like, along with a Benro BH00 quick release ball head on top.

https://www.adorama.com/bebh00.html?PPC=Y&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiAq6_UBRCEARIsAHyrgUyy6G2k6uhLLvWg5J6O9-XVwFy29jHI9EpMdyX07dTBtezpQSodjTIaAqtVEALw_wcB

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Oh, okay, then, Dave ... thanks for those tips and recommendations ....

I shall look into it ....

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Ok, since we are talking monopods today, here are some of my recent monopods .....show and tell 8-)

All adjust from the top - the first is Manfro 685b one hand adjustable with video fluid head, the second is a modified fibeglass painter's pole with tilt head - can be raised to 8 1/2 feet, and the modified steel truck cargo stabilizer with Manfro 3063 fluid head - for use with large/heavy lenses.

The last is the Manfro monopod stabilizer in use .....

..

(Download)

Fiberglass modified painter's pole

(Download)


(Download)

Steel monopod from modified "cargo stabilizer"

(Download)

Manfro monopod stabilizer in use

(Download)