Jessops Experience

So I went in a while back to buy a Monopod. I was having hand shake issues with my 500mm mirror lens when firing at, or less than 1/250th. So I went in and asked to see a few monopods and the guy saw my dSLR and looked confused.

I asked the gentleman there which one of them was the most sturdy as I'd like as much stability as possible. He seemed confused and after a very awkward pause in conversation finally told me that these weren't for adding stability for pictures. I politely enquired as to what, exactly he meant. He informed me that monopods are for digital video, and that they are almost exclusively used in concerts so that you can film from a higher vantage point.

I tried to follow up on this point, wherein he brought a co-worker who reinforced this idea so much so that I thought I was wrong. After 10 minutes of brow-beating I fired a few shots with and without the monopod using my 500mm lens and it did make a noticeable difference to me. They didn't believe me even after I showed the pictures and continued to look at me oddly.

Just double checking here - it's not abnormal to use a monopod for photography, is it?

No it's not abnormal to use a monopod for photography - it IS abnormal to expect Jessops staff to know the difference between an arse and an elbow though

Goodness me I had such a laugh soon I read this, . I am just trying to visualise someone with a video camera on a monopod and lifting it high to the so called vantage point to film.

We have heard so many jokes about Jessop's staff but this one will take some beating .

I am wondering which branch was this as they should be awarded the trophy for stupidity. And also for when I am in a mood to be entertained I could go there and ask for a monpod and confirm its use lol

Oops sorry almost forgot to add to what hefty just mentioned, I have used monopod lots of times and yes it does a great job reducing shake.
Oh and also it helps to carry the camera while it is still attached on the monopo as you can just lift it and support it on your shoulder rather than hanging the camera on the neck.

On my rare visits to Jessops I expect to have to deliver a few free photographic lessons.

If they proffer any advice, I know to do the opposite.

G

That would be a sight to behold , particularly if you are in one of those moods that you say things with the invisible smiley.

Seriously George if you happen to be passing around somewhere nearby and decide to visit a Jessop's shop locally please do let me know, I will drop by in the shop just to witness a nice exchange of vaulable lessons and see the staff reaction

If you care to know, it was the Oxford branch They was no doubt in their mind that what I said was the only use for a monopod. They seemed like local university students so you may, or may not, be blessed with their plethora of knowledge when you go in.

whelmed - you slipped up there You should have asked for a demonstration

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall though

Lol - watch them break out an HD camera and hoist it around outside on the monopod. That would have been an epic sight!

I thought Jessops specialised in Cameras only and not camcorders.
Although I notice a small selection of camcorders on their website but still feels very odd hanging one of those cameras on a monopod and lifting it for a vantage point
So why would they be selling something that according to them is supposed to be for video cameras? i.e. monopods . .

Yeah, film it and get it on Youtube pleeeeeease

The Jessops brain cell must have been allocated to the Kingston Branch lately, the manager there is very good...

That's a classic - wonder how long it'll be before some innocent bystander gets brained with a camcorder falling from roughly 4m high after the user loses their grip on the monopod?

It could also make for a novel homage to Freddie Mercury's microphone stand-waving antics, by whirling the end of the 'pod around while taking photos...

Clearly none of the staff are linguistics students, as the "pod" part is Latin for "foot". Rather implying that you're supposed to have that part on the ground, rather than waving it in the air!

That's not likely, they were out of stock the last time I checked.

To be fair to jessops.....

Sorry I can't think af a reason to be fair to Jessops.

To be fair to Jessops...

It's good fun to go in and ask them very specific questions about their products that you already know the answer to.

See, there is one reason to be fair to Jessops.

Nice to see a thread about Jessops stay on-topic...