Do you actually use a monopod as a ...

[drmoss_ca]

Very useful for MF cameras, especially with slower films. Don't even need a ball head if using 6x6. Mine's a Manfrotto.

 

[abruzzi]

I've never actually used a monopod. A couple of my tripods have a remvable leg that can be configured as a monopod, but I've just never felt they were convenient enough.

 

[wiltw]

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.

A tripod is certainly better than monopod, but if you travel and go into museums, historic buildings, and other places, tripods have to be relinquished before entry because users spread the tripod legs and get in the way of other visitors efforts to move about. A monopod often is ignored during entry. As Juan posted, "I’ve been able to get away with using monopods in places tripods are banned."

 

[Paul Howell]

A monopod does not replace a tripod, when I use a monopod I keep the shutter speed to a speed that I hand hold the camera, like slowest 1/125th, maybe 1/60 with a TLR. A monopod just keeps the wt of the camera or a lens off me and reduces fatigue.

 

[mshchem]

I gave a couple of mine to a friend who shoots college football with an enormous lens. I'm naturally wobbly . I have several tripods, these work better for me.

 

[Luckless]

Tripods are an independent support, while a monopod is what I would classify as a support aid and group with items like camera straps - They don't hold a camera to take a photo on their own, they merely make it easier for you to hold your camera while taking a photo.

I find they're useful to brace with for an extra point of contact while using a waist level finder. Tuck the camera against the body, breath carefully while focusing, then hold breath and gently release shutter. Doing the same with a monopod doesn't give massive benefits, but I find I can push my shutter speeds slower with more reliability with the monopod than without.

I've also made use of them while birding with a long lens as a support while waiting and then a mass damper when actually taking a photo. Monopod holds the camera just below eye level while I'm scanning and watching, it takes all the weight and holds the camera at the ready, and then is allowed to just hang there when I raise the camera to my eye during panning shots. As long as I pay attention to the ground around me and don't start it off where it is going to run into a clump of grass during the pan, it will add a little more mass to the camera and help smooth out some of the small movements.


Other thing I use my monopod for: Holding the camera while I clamp or press the monopod to something.
This isn't the most reliable option, as it is easy to find something like a light fence or a tree that ends up pumping more vibration/movement into the camera than it takes out of hand-shake, but it can be handy in some locations, and is still lighter and stiffer than a full tripod.

In short: If I want something to hold my camera as still as possible for me, I bring the extra weight of a tripod. If I want something to merely help me hold the camera, I'll bring a monopod. My monopod, a backpack, and some straps make for an excellent holding device with a little creativity applied.

[A bag of granola can also be used to augment things, assuming you eat it on the way back from where you're taking photos, rather than on the way there...]

Sure, a tripod is 'better' at this than the monopod, but a 2 tonne block of concrete would be 'better' than a tripod.

 

[benjiboy]

I have a Rollie carbon fibre tripod that's very light and pretty stable, on which one of the legs comes off and makes a monopod but to use it in that mode is a pain because you have to remove the tripod head, and fit it to the leg you have removed.

 

[Kino]

I have this with a small Manfroto head mounted on it and use it quite often. It's a very capable and inexpensive 67 inch monopod.

https://www.amazon.com/Dolica-WT-1003-67-Inch-Lightweight-Monopod/dp/B000VZS2EU

 

[Pieter12]

I find a single-axis head more useful on a monopod, since the monopod itself can easily move to accommodate. It also weighs less and is smaller than a ball or conventional head. It just needs to be oriented along the lens axis to work well.

 

[Helge]

What I usually use my monopod for is as a “selfie stick”. That is, to hold the camera high or hold a flash to the side.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have never used a monopod, however I have talked to a number of photographers who found them useful. Hence if you think it will help you buy one and try it since they are not that expensive.

 

[eli griggs]

That when you start to learn a million and one ways to lean a monopod, against your body, a bag, wall, tree, car or sleeping Lyon, and keep it from hitting the hard surfaces of Mother Earth.

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.

 

[benveniste]

For medium format? Not so much. For hiking, I carry a TrekPod Go! as a hiking stick/monopod/not really a tripod, but it's not beefy enough to comfortably handle a Pentax 645n or even an Nikon F100. I also use a full-size Bogen monopod for stage photography and when shooting as a spectator at automobile road courses like Lime Rock or Watkins Glen. But for those applications, I typically shoot hundreds of frames in a session, and I only have 2 120 inserts for the 645n. Now, if I could find someone to process 70mm film ...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

A tripod is certainly better than monopod, but if you travel and go into museums, historic buildings, and other places, tripods have to be relinquished before entry because users spread the tripod legs and get in the way of other visitors efforts to move about. A monopod often is ignored during entry. As Juan posted, "I’ve been able to get away with using monopods in places tripods are banned."

a monopod with you is certainly better than a tripod at home or in the car. Also, a monopod raises less attention with security folks.

 

[waynecrider]

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?

Sounds like a good idea. Perhaps a stainless point at the bottom to fend off animals.

 

[waynecrider]

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.

I think they use to make one with a swing down foot.

 

[mtjade2007]

I use a mono pod for my P67-ii. I have a ball head on it but it is not really necessary to have one on it. I don't use it much any more because I can hand hold my p67-ii without getting a single blurred image so far.

 

[eli griggs]

Sounds like a good idea. Perhaps a stainless point at the bottom to fend off animals.

A monopod is best used as a club or keep-away pusher, extended and sharp point will get you arrested if seen hurting other people's pets.

I do see an occasional need for a small grounding spike, no too deep, just to keep from sliding, but that is a different matter from animal defense.

As to fold out feet, the Gitzo I use has a set on the bottom ball 'cap' which foldout when removed and screws back in.

They lay flat, which is no always ideal but work well enough at giving a foot placed arm to stand on, for better stability.

 

[Subversive Mk II]

Sounds like a good idea. Perhaps a stainless point at the bottom to fend off animals.

I have a fairly decent budget one I bought years ago, that has a bottom spike that can be covered with a captive screwing foot, to either poke protesters or save damaging museum floors, as the mood takes.
Think I've only used it once or twice, but on those occasions it's been really quite handy.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Never bought one. One can fix a string in a long loop to the tripod screw and put the loop end under their foot, stretch it tight [make the loop the correct length to do this] and that will hold the camera steady.

 

[tokam]

Never bought one. One can fix a string in a long loop to the tripod screw and put the loop end under their foot, stretch it tight [make the loop the correct length to do this] and that will hold the camera steady.

To save the effort of adjusting the string, why not use shock, (bungee), cord instead to apply tension between foot and camera? This will provide tension over a range of shooting angles compared to a fixed length non-stretching piece of string or cord.

 

[Don_ih]

To save the effort of adjusting the string, why not use shock, (bungee), cord instead to apply tension between foot and camera? This will provide tension over a range of shooting angles compared to a fixed length non-stretching piece of string or cord.

And then, when you accidentally let the end slip out from under your foot, you can finally sing a couple of octaves higher.

 

[snusmumriken]

I'm currently adopting a monopod as I recover from a smashed-up leg, thankfully abandoning crutches and starting to walk with a stick, and knowing that building up distance is desirable to strengthen the bones. I've had a love/hate relationship with tripods, and despite much helpful advice from forum members in this thread, I couldn't make up my mind which to buy. So while still undecided, I have bought a mid-price (Sirui) monopod which was advertised as suitable to use as a trekking pole. Additionally, I thought it was handy that the shutter button on a Leica is directly above the tripod bush and thus directly above a monopod.

Playing with the 'pod and an empty camera, I noticed that - contrary to my expectation - squeezing the shutter button did cause noticeable movement as seen through the viewfinder. However, triggering the shutter with a cable release was a lot steadier, so that is how I plan to use the 'pod. This (carbon fibre) monopod is light, compact, swift and easy to set up or collapse, and much easier than a tripod to manoeuvre around to frame the shot. I did buy a small ball head too, but feel that in practice it creates unnecessary complication.

I will start another thread with examples later when I have shot some comparison test shots on film.

 

[Pieter12]

I have an acquaintance who mostly shoots motion film who uses a monopod equipped with a small 3-legged base that adds stability and allows the monopod to pivot. It folds up when not in use. Something like this:

 

[Sirius Glass]

I'm currently adopting a monopod as I recover from a smashed-up leg, thankfully abandoning crutches and starting to walk with a stick, and knowing that building up distance is desirable to strengthen the bones. I've had a love/hate relationship with tripods, and despite much helpful advice from forum members in this thread, I couldn't make up my mind which to buy. So while still undecided, I have bought a mid-price (Sirui) monopod which was advertised as suitable to use as a trekking pole. Additionally, I thought it was handy that the shutter button on a Leica is directly above the tripod bush and thus directly above a monopod.

Playing with the 'pod and an empty camera, I noticed that - contrary to my expectation - squeezing the shutter button did cause noticeable movement as seen through the viewfinder. However, triggering the shutter with a cable release was a lot steadier, so that is how I plan to use the 'pod. This (carbon fibre) monopod is light, compact, swift and easy to set up or collapse, and much easier than a tripod to manoeuvre around to frame the shot. I did buy a small ball head too, but feel that in practice it creates unnecessary complication.

I will start another thread with examples later when I have shot some comparison test shots on film.

Old school tripod, I recommend carbon fiber, and a cable release.