Monopods

Does anyone use or has used them?

What are the positive/ negative aspects?

what make is best to go for?

Thinking of getting one but don't want to waste money if the consenus is they are not worth it.

Generally I prefer handheld as it gives complete freedom of viewpoint. At the other extreme macro and still life shots I use a tripod.

I've never got on too well with monopods, they stop up/down movement but waver all over the place unless firmly wedged in some way.

What I have very occasionally found useful is the Trailwise photo Shoot, which is a walking pole with a 1/4" tripod screw in the head. When firmly jammed up against a wall or tree or similar support it can be fairly effective.

In these days of SR though when out and about I do find it's mainly possible to travel light.

I shoot in theatres quite a lot and find a monopod invaluable when I'm in amongst the seats where there isn't room for a tripod. Haven't used it anywhere else though. The one I have is a Giottos and it has a fluid head and very good build quality.

I have a really cheap one purchased for a tenner from Currys... I find it useful when shooting with longer lenses... Deffo improves my keeper rate when using the DA50-200WR lens (my longest lens)...
Was very useful at Donnington (touring cars) tracking fast moving objects...
I think I'll replace mine with one that has a ballhead for portrait orientation at some point...

If you shoot wildlife / birds and are using tele lenses (not in a hide or one place where you can use a tripod) then they are an absolutely invaluable piece of kit. I do not go trekking/birding anywhere without my large (as in large circumference and extendable to ca. 6 feet high so I can point the camera and lens skywards) carbon fibre monopod with a gimbal head fitted to it. Whilst this rig in itself weighs in the region of 1.5kgs that is about half (and much much easier to carry) my equivalent tripod rig.

I attach a Black Rapid to the camera and the monopod is attached to the lens' tripod mount - so I can easily carry it around (hardly notice the weight like this) and have complete safety in the event one or the other fails (Black Rapid or base plate from the Gimbal).

If you have ever tried to hand-hold a long tele whilst waiting for a bird to settle or come into view you'll know it's totally unfeasible as your arms start trembling after a minute or two !

When I got a 70-300 lens for my first digital camera I found it was too heavy for me but used with a tripod had some excelent results but it was far too heavy for me to hand hold although my friend seemed to cope with it. I tended to dip the lens as i pressed the shutter. So bought a monopod that was even worse try as I might could get the hang of it. My solution was to borrow a pentax K10 and 70-300mm lens much lighter and can manahe handheld if needs be.
So I inability to master a monopod got me to change to pentax as I recently bought my own K5.
Mine is Manfrotto 680B very well built have a ball head for it but I found cumbersome to carry about.

What are the positive/ negative aspects?

Positives - as stated above
Negatives - you have to keep hold of it and carry it around

what make is best to go for?
Depends on budget, size and how heavy you are happy with

There are very many good monopods around and you do not have to pay a fortune

Personally I use a Manfrotto 681B with a quick release head - this will hold up to 10Kg - extends to around 6dt and weighs about a kilo with the head - can be bought new for less than £40 plus about another £20 if you want the head but the head is not essential

Carl

I ordered 2 of these by mistake a while ago when they were £8 odd. Wasn't worth sending back!

Its yours if you want it

link

There is another thing about monopods:
My illness means that I need two walking sticks to get about, except for short distances. With a monopod, I can dispense with the sticks and use the m-pod as a walking cane. I have one like JamieT (above) - with the foot bar removed - and another with a QR plate fitting. Fit the plate to the camera and I can move around quite well.
Yes, I still have tripods (yes, plural), but the m-pod is a vital part of my kit.
Geoff

Thanks peeps thats very helpfull

I suppose the next question would be can I fit one of these on a monopod? (including yours jamie)


reason is I can not bend any fingers on my left hand so need something with a secure easy to manipulate grip

link

Make sure that the M-Pod you buy hyas a 1/4 Whit thread on top.
Some of the cheaper ones do not (including the type mentioned above - these mostly have a grooved post and cross bolt fitting),
Any good magazine will give you a choice.
Geoff

I have a Manfrotto 681b as well - my old m42 400mm lens is almost unusable without a tripod or monopod so it really helps

I have maybe 5 monopods and 4 tripods (or vice versa - can't remember !) so my only words of advice would be : buy the very best you can afford now (this goes for tripods, heads, monos whatever) as otherwise you will find weaknesses and need to upgrade sooner rather than later !

I bought a monopod a long time ago and have hardly used it. I couldn't get the hang of using it effectively and found the fixed height a problem (the only quick way is to lean it over in an arc). I can see where they may help if you're pointing them in a fixed direction, but this isn't something I usually do.