To Monopod or Not?

[wilgk]

Sorry to be late to the discussion, my 2 cents worth, is Im a monopod convert for sports with long lens mounted via tripod ring direct to manfrotto monopod.
It is very quick to change from horizontal to vertical views using this method.
I have packed it for air travel in between clothing in suitcase, with no issue..so far.

[rpcrowe]

Dan wrote...

"Many people carry their cameras attached to a tripod or monopod slung over their shoulder. This always leaves me very nervous, even though I have good clamps, so when I have reason to do that, I keep the camera strap around my neck as a safety (although I have never needed it)."

I carry my monopod mounted camera over my shoulder with the lens resting on my shoulder, pointing backwards. Carrying the camera like this puts minimal stress on the tripod screw socket or tilt-head.

I feel that with a very sturdy tilt-mount like the MPA-2, the camera/lens is quite safe.

I am not sure that I would carry a Rebel type camera and long heavy lens this way because the tripod socket of Canon Rebel type cameras is of a plasticky material with metal screw threads.

[inkista]

Look, guys, I get the whole "I-use-a-monopod-for-all-my-supertelephoto-stabilization-needs" thing because I do it when I'm birding with my 400/5.6L--but the OP is talking about night shooting with a 17-55/2.8 at Disneyworld. We're not talking about carting a long lens around, let alone a 400mm to 600mm lens.

I reiterate: a small tippy 4-5 section tripod you can stuff in a locker in the daytime is probably still a better bet than the best carbon fiber monopod with whatever head (or not) you choose to put on it, because you can't get seconds-long exposures for fireworks reliably with a monopod.

OTOH, I'm biased, because when I go to Disneyland, this is what I shoot, and a tripod makes it a whole lot easier.

[DanK]

but the OP is talking about night shooting with a 17-55/2.8 at Disneyworld. We're not talking about carting a long lens around, let alone a 400mm to 600mm lens. I reiterate: a small tippy 4-5 section tripod you can stuff in a locker in the daytime is probably still a better bet than the best carbon fiber monopod with whatever head (or not) you choose to put on it, because you can't get seconds-long exposures for fireworks reliably with a monopod.

Absolutely. That's why I wrote:

I never use it for night photography because I wouldn't be able to hold the camera fully still.

For night photography, I carry an Oben carbon fiber tripod with a Markins head, both chosen in part because I want to minimize how much weight I put on my aging and injured back. The former is quite reasonably priced, as carbon fiber goes. The latter isn't cheap, but my experience with cheaper heads wasn't wonderful.

[Saorsa]

As much as I use my Oben I also have a MeFoto CF.

They are different tools for different purposes. Or course, I have been known to jam the monopod a foot or so into sand or soft soil.

[William W]

I agree that the conversation has deviated from the original question and as those deviations took place I have responded in detail to other aspects of using Monopods as the topic has developed

HOWEVER, I also want to point out something, so it is clear for the archival integrity of the thread:

Look, guys, I get the whole "I-use-a-monopod-for-all-my-supertelephoto-stabilization-needs" thing because I do it when I'm birding with my 400/5.6L--but the OP is talking about night shooting with a 17-55/2.8 at Disneyworld. We're not talking about carting a long lens around, let alone a 400mm to 600mm lens.

Absolutely. That's why I wrote:

I never use it for night photography because I wouldn't be able to hold the camera fully still.

And, what I want to point out is I wrote as my opening paragraph in response to the original question where I cited the relevant sections of the Opening Post which I was addressing -:

I think that a Carbon Fibre Monopod would be generally a useful purchase if you don’t have a Monopod at the moment and it would be useful to you in some of the shooting situations on the holiday that you have described.

And then as my concluding summary:

Having stated all that, I choose to travel on holiday withOUT a monopod and Tripod. My travel kit is very, very simple. I take one DSLR (5D Series) one working standard zoom (usually 24 to 105/4 IS) and a very fast Prime (usually 35/1.4) and a second camera, these days it is a Fuji x100s, previously I took a Canon PowerShot.

So you might understand why, with your kit described on your Bio-page I would just take the 18 to 140 and the fast 35 Prime . . .

For any night-time (available light) Portrait Photography or where a fast shutter speed is required, I will use the Fast Prime . . .

I haven’t had any difficulty in finding a suitable brace or support to execute night scenes photography . . .

WW