Seeking input from monopod users

[Steve Goldstein]

Yes, I know a tripod is more stable and I'm planning to take my Feisol 3441-S on an upcoming trip now in the planning stages. But a carbon-fiber monopod with a small Arca-Swiss-compatible release on top might be preferable for some of our planned activities so I'm considering adding one to my kit. The collapsed length should be comparable to that of my Feisol tripod, around 18"/45cm more or less, so it'll fit in our luggage. I'm not in the market for another tripod, even if said new tripod has a removable leg that can be used as a monopod.

So, for you monopod users, what are you currently using, what do you like and disklike about it, and would you buy it again?

If it helps, I'm about 5'7" (170cm) tall, and I'd be using this with a Mamiya 7.

Many thanks.

 

[Photosandpotatoes]

I bought a cheap one last summer to give it a try. I liked it! I don’t know if I would recommend the exact one I bought but it was this:

Koolehaoda Professional 65-inch Camera Aluminium Monopod with Folding Three Feet Support Stand K-288+A1​

First about me and the gear: I’m 5’4 so pretty small lol. I’ve gotten into bird photography recently and have one of those Big Lenses ™ which make my arms shakey if I’m holding it up for a long time.

I got the above monopod just to try out the concept first.

What I like:

• Helps stabilize shots
• Much lighter than a tripod
• Perfect for those awkward stances where you wouldn’t use a tripod anyway but need some support
• Added bonus of using it with the three feet support, and a very small camera like the Olympus XA or a phone, is it becomes a self-standing selfie stick (see attached)
• Can be a walking stick support if needed

What I don’t like

• My very cheap model has no release plate or slot for an Arca Swiss so you need to get one otherwise you’re just standing around screwing in the camera for a while lol
• To that end, I have been looking at the SmallRig Quick Release Drop In so it would be a little swifter/simpler than the slide in method but have not gotten that yet
• It’s not as stable as a tripod —that goes without saying but just a good reminder it’s a different use case so as long as you’re clear this is about stability to you more so than a self-stabilizing thing for the camera, you’re good

I’m definitely into the monopod idea and will continue tinkering.

Hope that helps! Happy to answer any other questions.

 

[jeffreyg]

I don’t know how you are travelling but if it’s by air I wouldn’t put it in checked luggage. If X-rayed it might resemble a pipe bomb. Years ago on a trip to Isreal and Egypt I packed an aluminium tripod and didn’t get my luggage until three days after landing. The airline just said my luggage was delayed.
Also you could use a monopod as a walking stick if hiking.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

I have a hiking staff with a 1/4-20 fitting on top. Normally a wooden knob screws into the fitting, on mine I have a small ball head.

The primary use of the staff is hiking, so I don't bother with a QR fitting, too much weight. And I use it with light cameras - Nikon N75, Yashica T4, etc.

I also take a length of para cord to tie the staff to a tree or to make some Gawd-awfull tripod by lashing a few sticks to the staff.

 

[Steve Goldstein]

I’ve never had issues when flying with my Feisol carbon fiber tripod. That’s why I’m specifically looking for info in CF monopods.

 

[loccdor]

I bought a used Sirui P-326 last year which is just a simple carbon fiber one with no foot and twist locks.

Mainly it was to make lugging the 6x6 Sonnar 180mm f/2.8 easier on the arms and back. It allows you to put it down temporarily, and also to let the whole camera rest from your shoulder as you're walking. As far as extra hand-holding power, maybe 2 stops. But that's debatable since it's still shaky on one axis.

I liked that it's small enough to attach to a carabiner and clip to a belt loop. Sometimes I also clipped it to the side of my camera bag. It fits in luggage easily.

Ultimately, for most purposes, I found my old Manfrotto travel tripod I bought in 2010 more useful, even though it lacks the stability of a robust tripod. I think these 2 tools have different purposes, as long as you're not trying to fill the role of one with the other you're okay.

In my opinion the best monopod use case is for hiking long distances with heavy equipment, where you want to always have the equipment at the ready and not have to unpack/repack it. Like 5 mile hikes where an animal might briefly appear and having to set things up means losing the shot.

 

[BHuij]

Both of my tripods have a detachable leg, and I have a Canon brand dedicated monopod that was gifted to me some 14 years ago.

I honestly don't use them very frequently. But it's definitely a significant upgrade over handholding. It buys me perhaps an extra stop or two over handheld shutter speeds.

What I do use somewhat frequently is actually a hiking pole with a ball head on top of it. I specifically chose a telescoping hiking pole that had a 3/8 screw for this reason. When I'm backpacking, I often carry my OM-1, my XA, or a small digicam with RAW and manual exposure controls. I have custom 3D printed L brackets for those, so I can shoot with a lot of added stability using the hiking pole in horizontal or vertical orientations.

 

[BrianShaw]

Hi Steve. I love monopods and have used a fairly lightweight Gitzo for decades with all sorts of cameras, up to and including 4x5 Speed Graphic (which really deserves a more stout option). Love it and use it often, generally with a quick release. There was discussion about air travel and once I’ve been challenged by Heathrow security who inquired about it and a TLR. They kept asking if it was an aerial (antenna) and were still a bit perplexed after a demonstration. “How can you really hold up a camera with a tripod that only has only one leg?”, one asked. Minor travel delay that left me chuckling and them thinking I was “retarded”.

 

[grahamp]

I think I must have had my monopod for about 40 years. I've no idea who made it. It extends to about five feet, so about six inches below my eye level, or about right with my spread legs to make a braced position. I have a little Benbo ball head on the top which allows me to adjust the angle relative to the lens for the best position. I prefer to use the monopod at an angle and lean into it.

I think the last time I used it was with a 4x5 WillTravel (large format rigid body camera) doing 4x5. It mostly gets used with medium format when I do not have space/strength/desire to use a tripod.

Pros - Better than hand holding in many cases, especially with a braced stance; portable; secondary use as a stick.

Cons - It is not a tripod and is not self standing without adaptions; other photographers seem to have strong opinions about their utility

Modified walking poles are best if you are walking primarily, and monopods are better if the day is photography dominant.

 

[snusmumriken]

I bought a carbon fibre Sirui monopod a couple of years back when recovering from a broken leg, because I thought it would double as a hiking stick, also because generally I find carrying a tripod too much trouble. To be honest, I have only used it a few times so far, but each time I have been careful to assess how helpful it was in steadying the shot.

The tripod bush on my camera is directly under the shutter release, which seemed ideal because any vibration caused would be directed down the pole. In practice, I got noticeably reduced camera shake (in the negative) at speeds of 1/30 or longer only if I used a shutter release cable. That is perfectly practical, but it’s an extra complication.

I bought a ball head for the ‘pod, but found it useful only if the camera was to be used in portrait orientation. In landscape orientation, you can achieve all the movement you need by sloping the pole.

I am 6 ft 1 in, and found the height of the Sirui monopod perfect. Having an integral spike, which can be optionally exposed by turning the rubber foot, was essential for rural terrain. With some monopod brands the spike is separate, which must be quite annoying.

Hope this helps.

 

[Paul Howell]

I use a monopod with my Sony Imaged Stabilized DSLR and long lens, but not with 35mm as there still is too much shake, I either shoot at 1/500 of a second or use a tripod. I also use a monopod with a MF Buchman rangefinder with standard lens and TLR, and my Crown 4X5 when hiking. I use an off brand monopod that I bought at Walmart maybe 25 years ago that I added a Silk ball head to, or a Bolex that was designed for 16mm and 35mm movies cameras. The Bolex is very light, and works with my point and shoots. The Walmart off brand seems to be stable, it is all metal and I have not noticed any vibration as none of the cameras I use it with have a mirror. The Sony DSLR is translucent mirror no slap.

 

[BobUK]

In the UK many churches and stately homes have banned the use of tripods. Possibly because of damage from the spiked ends not being protected by rubber feet.
Also, I have heard that The City of Westminster in London requires the purchase of a permit to use camera tripods on the streets. I don't know the details, but wonder if it is to do with professional camera crews.
I pondered if a monopod could be legally used in place in such situations.
A confident, articulate photographer with a monopod could have a field day arguing the odds with a jobs-worth security guard.

 

[Pieter12]

A tripod in a public space can be intrusive and disruptive to foot traffic. Imagine someone planting a tripod in the middle of the sidewalk in a busy area, or in the middle of a church with visitors going through. A monopod gets in the way less, is easy to move. But like tripods, a flimsy monopod is not worth the trouble. I mostly use a good, sturdy monopod for action photography with a long lens as it is easily maneuverable but gives enough support to avoid camera shake in those situations.

 

[cowanw]

It is not a tripod nor a monopod but for churches a "The Pod" beanbag is a good alternative if you can expect suitable surfaces to rest it on.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762981-REG/The_Pod_GR0079_The_Green_Pod_Camera.html

 

[DWThomas]

Hmmm -- originally I bought an inexpensive Cullman monopod. Didn't use it much, then I started having trouble with one of the clamping collars. After that I acquired a Velbon "Super 8" which has a mess of sections (8) but is moderately sturdy and I've occasionally used it with a TLR. In my late 70s (now early 80s), I bought a Manfrotto Element MII a while back that has five sections and is rated for 35 pounds. I believe all of the above are aluminum though. I have generally topped them with a Manfrotto tilting gadget that works with the RC-2 QR setup. The Manfrotto has a wrist strap that can allow hanging it from a belt clip when not in use (or help hold it by the rubberized grip to use for walking). There appears to be an almost infinite continuum of sizes, features, etc. out there.

B&H offers a handle sort of thing that makes a monopod into an adjustable cane, but if that gets used, one has to take it off to mount the camera; not so handy! Anyway, I use a monopod occasionally but not very often; it does create some stability in one axis.

Recently I've encountered one museum (the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem PA) which states in the visiting rules - no tripods, no monopods, no selfie sticks. At least they don't say "No Photos."

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Yes, I know a tripod is more stable and I'm planning to take my Feisol 3441-S on an upcoming trip now in the planning stages. But a carbon-fiber monopod with a small Arca-Swiss-compatible release on top might be preferable for some of our planned activities so I'm considering adding one to my kit. The collapsed length should be comparable to that of my Feisol tripod, around 18"/45cm more or less, so it'll fit in our luggage. I'm not in the market for another tripod, even if said new tripod has a removable leg that can be used as a monopod.

So, for you monopod users, what are you currently using, what do you like and disklike about it, and would you buy it again?

If it helps, I'm about 5'7" (170cm) tall, and I'd be using this with a Mamiya 7.

Many thanks.

A monopod is a crutch where a tripod cannot be used or is too much to carry. The crutch works well up to 1/4s but is useless for long exposures.

 

[abruzzi]

I used a monopod with my Bronica SQ on a trip through Spain a year and a half ago. It worked ok for later shots when daylight was waning, but there were several locations where I had to explain it was a walking stick, and I wouldn't use it to support my camera. I didn't bring it into some of the more popular interior locations, and instead just used my fastest film, maximum aperture and 1/30 and hoped for the best. In a few months, I'll be going through Prague, Budapest, and Vienna, but I probably won't bring it.

 

[Disconnekt]

Depending on how much your willing to spend, theres Leofoto cf monopods: https://leofotousa.com/collections/monopods
The MP-285C & MP-326C that are under 18" collapsed & are under $100

If you want a low-profile ballhead to come with it, theres the MP-285C ballhead combo here: https://leofotousa.com/products/leofoto-mp-285c-monopod-lh-25-mini-low-profile-ball-head-kit

They do have free shipping, & also have a 10% off promo code to save a few bucks: 10OFF

 

[Romanko]

The centre column of my inexpensive tripod can be used as a monopod. I have the tripod for over 10 years but never ever used it that way.

I read somewhere that you can use a piece of rope (chain) attached to your camera as a way to support it. You are supposed to step on the rope/chain, and keep it tight while taking the picture. I doubt that the method is very efficient but it is better than nothing.

Since you are shooting a medium format a fast film might be a better option to a monopod. Airport CT and X-ray scanners become an issue though if you are travelling by air with fast film.

 

[wiltw]

You do not need to use a ballhead with a monopod, a single axis control (camera+lens tilt up/down) is sufficient, in fact easier to deal with.
Use of the camera on an L-bracket simplifies changing between Landscape and Portrait orientation of the frame.

 

[Hassasin]

If monopod in the bag can be suspected of being a pipe bomb, then any toothpaste/shampoo and the likes can be assumed as a liquid bomb. Nobody's gets their bags on arrival.

Monopod has its uses, it will give better support than hand held. But it is not as convenient as nothing between hand and camera. It's good to have for any time when fast re-framing is not expected.

 

[MattKing]

This unit makes a great monopod head if you are already using the Manfrotto quick release plates that it is compatible with.
https://www.amazon.ca/Manfrotto-234RC-Monopod-Quick-Release/dp/B01EEMW4J4?th=1

I use my monopod from time to time - I've had it for ~45 years, and it has three retractable mini-legs, for when you need something for time exposures.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

The centre column of my inexpensive tripod can be used as a monopod. I have the tripod for over 10 years but never ever used it that way.

I read somewhere that you can use a piece of rope (chain) attached to your camera as a way to support it. You are supposed to step on the rope/chain, and keep it tight while taking the picture. I doubt that the method is very efficient but it is better than nothing.

Since you are shooting a medium format a fast film might be a better option to a monopod. Airport CT and X-ray scanners become an issue though if you are travelling by air with fast film.

I actually never used the step -on a-rope trick but think that would be a effective method. Just need to find a hook that fits my camera's tripod thread. If anyone knows a source,please speak up!

 

[reddesert]

If you want to try the rope thing, you just need a 1/4-20 eyebolt, and tie the string to the eyebolt. Here's one made for cameras (I think this is intended as a handstrap attachment): https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1525219-REG/kupo_kg019812_1_4_d_ring_camera_mounting.html/

Personally, I think you should be ok putting an aluminum monopod into airline checked baggage. That's why they use high powered X-ray machines on checked baggage; they'll be able to see that it's hollow. I would be cautious in the modern age about putting a big one in my carry on bag. In the US, TSA says tripods are ok in both carry on and checked baggage: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/household-and-tools?page=9

 

[250swb]

A walking pole that can take a small tripod ball head is what I use, although I don't actually use it very much. I think it's useful if your camera is heavy and you use it to take the weight and give you a rest, but as something to stabilise the camera with it planted on the ground it gives me motion sickness looking through the viewfinder with the camera swaying around a fixed point five or six feet away as I compose the photo. Resting the end on my foot for some reason seems to make it more stable, or at least offers a more tactile connection between tip and camera.