What monopod to buy guys ?

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Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on October 29, 2011 at 6:25pm

What is your budget? 

What do you want it to do for you? 

Do you want a head or are you just going to attach it directly to camera, or lens? 

Are you using it indoors, outdoors, exposed to salt water, or temperature extremes?

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Permalink Reply by rob on October 30, 2011 at 4:17am

look at budget first then decide i brought a manfrotto 679b.

really what the camera clicker  asks is a good question.

 

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Permalink Reply by Bittoo on October 30, 2011 at 5:12am

What I am looking to do with monopod is click pics easily while , I am out and about or indoor function etc.. And also I found when I went cornwall last week to take pics it would have been helpful. Money is not a problem with regard to budget I believe in buy once but buy the best.

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Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on October 30, 2011 at 6:47am

Perhaps before rushing to a purchase, extend one leg of your tripod and use it to take some photos.  It will be a little heavier and a bit off balance but will simulate a monopod.  Try to arrange the tripod so the extended leg is under the camera.

 

I have a couple of monopods and hardly ever use them.  Their best uses are holding the camera up above a crowd and supporting a really heavy lens where there is no room for a tripod.  Much of the same information that applies to a tripod applies to a monopod in terms of use, care and longevity.  The disadvantages to a monopod are that it does not stand by itself and it does not help me with camera shake/movement -- really the reduction of it.  Most of the tripod makers also make a monopod, some are better for certain things than others, think carefully about what you will want it to do for you and try to get the combination of materials and features that will forward your goal.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Greg maklae on October 30, 2011 at 6:57am

Other than being used to hold a camera above your head, or a a walking stick, a monopod really serves no purpose, as it does not help camera shake. A tripod is much more stable, and the light weight composite ones are not a burden to carry.

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Permalink Reply by marcus.scheer on October 30, 2011 at 9:07am

Oh I think it just totally depends on what you are shooting. I just spent Friday and Saturday shooting football games and a monopod really helps. Instead of messing around with lifting the long lens every play, I can just rely on the monopod. And I'm a fraction of a second closer to being ready to fire off a picture rather than trying to handhold it the whole time. 

 

But again, this is a more unique situation where a tripod wouldn't work. Just a thought though. 

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Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on October 30, 2011 at 10:19am

I am not a monopod user and frankly don't see a use for them.  If you're going to use a camera support of any kind it seems to me that should use one that will give steady support to the camera.  Get a good tripod and then if you want a monopod for some strange use then use the tripod with the legs pulled in.  At least then you'll have the option.

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