Carrying the camera attached to a monopod (Page 2): I carry my camera on the monopod all the time, mostly when I need the extra stability and my tripod would be too much or too...

bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT

I carry my camera on the monopod all the time, mostly when I need the extra stability and my tripod would be too much or too cumbersome. I do shorten the leg when walking around and also carry a small lens bag on my belt to hold a couple of planned lenses when my 100-400 is mounted to the camera, and when the larger lens is not in use it is clipped to my belt. I do understand it is not good to have the camera hold the weight of the longer lens but the 100-400 has a collar mount with an arca/swiss mount so that is not a problem when mounted to the monopod. By putting the lenses not in use in the belt bag or on the clip I can hold the camera or lens with one hand and the monopod with the other so I can control it without bothering other people or hitting other objects. Granted this mostly works when I am out in public and I try to plan my gear as to keep it to a minimum. Also by doing this I can keep the strap around my neck.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

photog11 wrote:

I recently bought a monopod (Manfrotto MPMXPROA4) and a quick-release plate (Manfrotto 394). I bought it with the plate to avoid having to screw in the camera each time I wanted to use the monopod. The brochure recommends against carrying the monopod with the camera attached. I carry a D750 and a 70-200 mm lens. Does anyone have experience with this (or similar) combination? How risky is it to do this?

I am a klutz, I can trip on a flat surface. Therefore, I don't carry cameras attached to tripods or monopods.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Retired CPO wrote:

I have carried film SLR's, film medium format and digital SLR,s on monopods and tripods across my shoulder for about forty years, mostly in the bush with no problems. I shorten the legs or the monopod and constantly check that the camera is tightly attached and have NEVER had any problems. And I will continue to do so as long as I'm able to walk.

That will work too. But I am a firm believer in Murphy so I try to give him as little chance to mess with me as possible. Of course he could always drop something large and heavy on me and take out my camera with me.

Larryshuman

I'll carry a D850 with the 200~500 and SB-900 all mounted on a Gitzo monopod with a Kirk BH-3 ball head. I carry it over my shoulder however I leave the carry neck strap on and hook my thumb thru the strap while I'm walking. I do this with my 600mm and tripod also, Should it ever slip I still have control. My 600mm slipped out of the shoe one year and I saved it with my thumb thru the neck strap.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

photog11 wrote:

I recently bought a monopod (Manfrotto MPMXPROA4) and a quick-release plate (Manfrotto 394). I bought it with the plate to avoid having to screw in the camera each time I wanted to use the monopod. The brochure recommends against carrying the monopod with the camera attached. I carry a D750 and a 70-200 mm lens. Does anyone have experience with this (or similar) combination? How risky is it to do this?

With a quick release plate, there is always a chance you will somehow move in such a way that the camera release plate comes off and the camera drops.
When I used to use a monopod, I carried the camera and lens over my shoulder with the monopod sticking out in front with one hand on the leg of the monopod and the other hand on the lens.
However, I no longer use monopods because I find them too restrictive for shooting wildlife. Especially with a lite 70-200 lens.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've seen people doing that, but I never would. Neither Nikon nor the tripod maker recommend that.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Knock on wood, for many years I have been carrying my camera and lens on my monopod or tripod over my shoulder without any problems

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi photog11,
I carry my D750 w/150-600 Sigma on the monopod with a QR. I also built a short leather strap with a "halter snap" that keeps the camera/monopod tied together to avoid an accidental drop should the two part company. I carry it over my shoulder with the lens pointed down similar the picture on page 1 of this thread and retrack the "pod" when walking to reduce the chance of hitting anyone. By the way the "halter snap" is available at Tandy Leather or any horse supply store and is used to quickly attach a lead rope to a horse's halter. Take care & ...

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

photog11 wrote:

I recently bought a monopod (Manfrotto MPMXPROA4) and a quick-release plate (Manfrotto 394). . . . .

I cringe when I see an expensive camera/lens being carried over the shoulder like a rifle! While the tripod socket is probably the second strongest part of a camera body, adding the leverage of a heavy lens being swung around would seem to be courting early failure. I reasoned that a quick release plate was invented to make camera removal quick and easy so one wouldn’t be tempted to do just that. If you bought a quick release to avoid the tedium of a tripod screw attachment, why not use it for its intended purpose? Just my two cents . . .

Stan

Nikon1201

I use a mono and tripod. If I put the camera strap around my neck , just in case.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

I frequently need a cane for balance so have a monopod that doubles as a walking stick. The camera rides there with the 18-140 on it and if the long lens is on, the tripod connects to the lens, not the camera.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

I took things to another level with mine. Not only do I have a safety strap in case my quick connect fails, I have a better strap than the one that came with the monopod. It was a real pain trying to shoot with the wrist strap unless I didn't use it at all. So, I bought another sturdy strap like the one I have on the camera and replaced the hand strap on the monopod with that. Now, with that strap around my neck I can easily use either hand or both without the bother of the hand strap and can even turn loose of the monopod completely if needed. It also helps with support when carrying.

downing Loc: Cincinnati

I use a peak design shoulder strap which is attached to the camera and with a monopod attached to the lens. D500 camera and a Nikon 200 mm f4 lens and with an SB 900 flash on the camera. The rig weighs nearly 8 pounds. I use this set up for micro photography in the field. Hardly ever any one else around to hit with the monopod but have to be careful not to get it tangled up in brush.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I see people (pros) carrying their cameras over their shoulders on tripods or monopods. I do that occasionally. If you're practiced at it, you can avoid problems. I do have a ball head mounted on my monopod, so i feel like the camera is reasonably secure. However, the strap is always around my neck. Sort of like wearing suspenders and a belt.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

When I carry my DSLR attached to my monopod, I hold the camera in my hand. If something disrupts the attached monopod, the camera is safe.
Mark

photog11 wrote:

I recently bought a monopod (Manfrotto MPMXPROA4) and a quick-release plate (Manfrotto 394). I bought it with the plate to avoid having to screw in the camera each time I wanted to use the monopod. The brochure recommends against carrying the monopod with the camera attached. I carry a D750 and a 70-200 mm lens. Does anyone have experience with this (or similar) combination? How risky is it to do this?