Do you actually use a monopod as a ...

[eli griggs]

... regular piece of field kit?

Yeah or Nay, what's your reasoning in taking a decision?

 

[shutterfinger]

Yea, I'm not as stable as I use to be.

 

[Sirius Glass]

You can take a bolt with a eye loop and put a rope through it. Then tie a knot. Screw the bolt into the camera, stand on the rope and pull it tight. That is an inexpensive monopod.

 

[wiltw]

A monoped can be tremendously beneficial in preventing camera movement, even more than stepping on a rope or chain up to the tripod mount hole, and not be nearly as much in the way of others nearby as a tripod.can be.
A monopod can be very beneficial in alleviating the load of a camera with long lens, so you are not as fatigued at the end of a long day.
And a monopod can be held overhead to get a shot with a camera on time delayed shutter release, when you are standing in/behind a crowd.

 

[Sirius Glass]

A monopod will help steady a camera.

 

[eli griggs]

Close, but no cigar.

There is a big difference between tensioning and standing support.

In the same vein of the standing rope, a table tripod braced against your chest can help steady a shot, working best when leaning back into a tree, vehicle, wall or sleeping rhino.

A variation on the standing rope, a wide nylon strap would give better contact under foot and roll-up more easily for packing in a camera bag.

 

[gone]

A collapsible one would be needed, as I'm a bike rider. I like the idea that it could be used as a weapon, assuming you were fending off a squirrel sized foe. The Nikon F4 is more deadly, but I'm done w/ carrying cameras that heavy. I wonder if you could get a monopod that held some brandy or a blade?

 

[eli griggs]

Cane knives/swords in monopods, is in my opinion a step too far.

Monopods generally are collapsible, mine, which I believe is a Gitzo, has a three foot pull-out that screws into back into the lower 1/3ed section.

When collapsed, there is scant room for a container of liquid and you'd have to screw-off the secured ball head to access your drink.

I've used mine with 35mm, medium format and a Speed Graphic and the times I've no carried it, I've usually regretted it.

Steadier support, without the use of a bulkier tripod, is always preferred, imo

 

[john_s]

A collapsible one would be needed, as I'm a bike rider. I like the idea that it could be used as a weapon, assuming you were fending off a squirrel sized foe. The Nikon F4 is more deadly, but I'm done w/ carrying cameras that heavy. I wonder if you could get a monopod that held some brandy or a blade?

You used to be able to buy ski stocks that were designed to hold half a bottle of spirits. There was a screw cap at the top of the handle.

 

[Helge]

You can take a bolt with a eye loop and put a rope through it. Then tie a knot. Screw the bolt into the camera, stand on the rope and pull it tight. That is an inexpensive monopod.

Put both feet in with legs splayed for a reverse duo pod.

My problem with a monopods is that they don't really do that much to stop horizontal rotation swing of the lens, and only a little to minimise up and down rotation.
A table monopod is often lighter, smaller and most important better. If you don't have anywhere to rest it, press it (gently) with two legs to your upper rips or clavicula and one on the sternum and you have essentially eliminated high frequency roll in all axis. Shift is much less of a problem, and that is minimal with your upper body anyway.

 

[Pieter12]

All monopods collapse, as far as I know. A monopod is very handy and easier to transport than a tripod, thus more likely to be used. Very good for long lenses, just take a look at most pro sports photographers. You can even get a tiny base to further stabilize the monopod.

 

[DWThomas]

Do you actually use a monopod as a ...
... regular piece of field kit?

Yeah or Nay, what's your reasoning in taking a decision?

I would not say regular, but with some frequency the last few years. I have had a multi-section Cullman since 2006, but more recently had some flakiness in one of the twist-locks.

So before an overseas river cruise in 2019 I picked up a Velbon Ultra Stick Super 8 which has a lot of sections (8) but closes up to about 11 inches with a flat Manfrotto RC2 QR fitting on it. That can hang off my belt without too much grief. It's not something I would call "rugged," and is a bit fiddly to use but basically did the job.

More recently -- as I passed the big 80 -- I find myself with shakier hands and a little less confidence walking over rough terrain and thought to look at some combo walking stick/monopods I thought I had seen. Concerned about what might happen if I had occasion to really lean on it, I ended up buying a Manfrotto Element MII aluminum monopod on which I install either a flat non-tilting QR mount or a tilt variety which is a little higher and heavier. That pod can purportedly support 35 pounds, but it has only four sections and closes to more like 19 inches or so with the tilting QR. IIRC, it also raises considerably higher to use with SLRs and rangefinders, whereas shorter pods are fine for my TLR and other WLF cameras. (In another 5 or 10 years maybe I'll be putting a strut on my walker. )

 

[tokam]

I used a monopod a lot when I was a keen follower of motorsports. Panning smoothly with a 300mm lens was made a lot easier. I don't think I've used it in over 20 years.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

... regular piece of field kit?

Yeah or Nay, what's your reasoning in taking a decision?

Yeah, all the time;having only one functional arm and hand after the stroke, it is a god-send. It's almost as good as a tripod and easy to carry.

 

[Willy T]

The pistol grip Manfrotto/Bogen 3245 with 3009 ball head has proven to be very useful in geting the best from the Box Tengor and Clack on rambles. Just leave the camera in place and walk along with a hand through the strap and on the grip. Bit slow in adjusting the height but stout and sold in use,

 

[grahamp]

I use one quite a lot, usually with medium format (waist or eye level). At a minimum it takes the weight of the camera, while at best it gives me around 2-3 stops more flexibility than just hand-holding. I started using one when I was walking/cycling and camping, as size and weight was a big consideration. Mine must be 35 years old now - I often have a Benbo ball head on it to allow for angle adjustment with different cameras and formats.

 

[MattKing]

I have two, and use them from time to time.
My oldest one - 43 years I think - has a small set of retractable tripod legs. It is great for travelling.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Yes.

The tripod I use for smaller cameras (not the LF one) has a removable leg onto which I screw a monopod head that only tilts in one direction. A real arm saver when using a long lens, you're waiting for an animal or bird to do something, and you don't want to be hindered by a tripod. My digital camera also has ridiculously slow handheld shutter speeds which a monopod can help get even slower on those days where you're traveling fast & light and don't want to bring the tripod.

 

[gordrob]

I have a Gitzo monopod that I picked up at a garage sale for $10 35 years ago. It has had a lot of use with long lenses on my Canon F1(New) kit.

 

[eli griggs]

Yeah, I've most often used my monopod for the F1n and F1N- AE, with motor drives or winders and, Brother when you put those cameras on a monopod, it'll better stick!

The last thing anyone needs is a F1 dropping off the monopod and ruining a favorite camera or piece of FD glass, especially if you're using L Series glass, like a 300mm f4 L telephoto or larger.

One thing I learned about Biathlon athletes and firearm training/shooting/hunting and use in general, is taking control of your breathing and release moment, between breaths and heartbeats, with monopod or tensioning or simply shooting hand held.

One useful tool I have for the F1n (#1, #2) models, without motors, is a all metal body holder which adds weight but holds the camera tightly to a monopod or tripod for steady work.

I trust my twist lock Gitzo, where I've no be sure of other monopods (where buckels can become unlocked) and that's what counts, including regular, good down time maintenance.

About the only thing I do wish, on occasion, is a different, ball head lever, with just a little longer length, but mine does the job, so knock on wood.

I have a Gitzo monopod that I picked up at a garage sale for $10 35 years ago. It has had a lot of use with long lenses on my Canon F1(New) kit.

 

[foveon_m]

A monoped can be tremendously beneficial in preventing camera movement, even more than stepping on a rope or chain up to the tripod mount hole, and not be nearly as much in the way of others nearby as a tripod.can be.
A monopod can be very beneficial in alleviating the load of a camera with long lens, so you are not as fatigued at the end of a long day.
And a monopod can be held overhead to get a shot with a camera on time delayed shutter release, when you are standing in/behind a crowd.

+1

 

[250swb]

In theory like the idea of monopods but given a slim tripod is barely any bulkier or heavier I'll stick with a tripod of any sort over a fancy stick. But first choice would be a sensible tripod for the weight of the camera and the ability to make long exposures if necessary.

 

[juan]

I’ve been able to get away with using monopods in places tripods are banned.

 

[Paul Howell]

I use a monopod while hiking, works really well for me, TLR, Mamiya Universal, 4X5 Crown with rangefinder.

 

[Jesper]

I use monopods a lot. Only trouble is that you let go of it to use both hands for something else as you would a tripod.