Monopod

[Suprpntr]

Any opinons on a monopod? Looking for some stablization, don't want to carry a heavy tripod around.

Thought a monopod might help the situation.

[shoeytennis]

go with a bogen.
they go from around 50 on top depending on the quality and weight you want.

[Stoller]

If your looking for stablization stick with a tripod. Monopod's are great to help support heavy lenses and give you a break. I use monopod for shooting dog shows with my heavy 70-200mm 2.8 when I have to sit ring side for hours. If you have steady hands monopod's don't give you much of a advantage. For long exposures you want a tripod. Just my two cents.

[wh0128]

Stoller is quite right, a tripod is best at long periods of time of shooting or long exposure. What type of photography will you be shooting?

[K1W1]

This link (http://www.nikonians.org/monopods/) may not work if you are not a member of Nikonians but it's definitely worth a read if you are interested in monopods.
As previously stated a monopod per se is not particularly stable but with good monopod technique it can assist in greatly improving photos in areas where tripods are not practicable. Forget the 3 second monopod exposures but the 1/125 second ones will improve dramatically.
Two things to consider are the extended height (you don't want to stoop when looking through the eyepiece) and the collapsed length (if travelling). Generally three section monopods are more rigid than four section ones but they are longer when collapsed.
I use a Manfrotto 679B (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2366?livid=103|113&idx=115) with a 234RC Quick release (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2376?livid=103|113&idx=114). The quick release is mainly to allow portrait shots on the monopod but it's very handy. The 679B seems to be a very popular choice amongst D50 and D70 owners.

[DonSchap]

Here's a monopod for all seasons:

The Bogan Manfrotto 682
18280

[K1W1]

Here's a monopod for all seasons:
The Bogan Manfrotto 682


The Trekpod is very similar although I think they are basically an example of something that is a good idea but is actually good at nothing in practice. There is no way that the stability would be good enough for even a light camera in any sort of wind when used as a tripod and the chances of the whole contraption being knocked or falling over would be very high. I'll stick with one tripod AND one monopod thanks.

[Suprpntr]

Stoller is quite right, a tripod is best at long periods of time of shooting or long exposure. What type of photography will you be shooting?

I don't really need long exposure, mostly outdoor during the day, looking for an option to help keep the thing steady, light easy to carry.

[jcon]

The tripod I have in my sig is very easy to carry and light. It collapses to about 3 feet and doesnt take up much space at all. It has many features, you can spread the legs wide for a smaller tripod, or etend the legs and put them closer together for a taller tripod. If youre looking for something to help support outdoors, you will want something stable, and this one will suit just fine. Its worth a look.

[MrMojo]

Nick Nichols introduced me to monopods years ago; he used one extensively when doing his cave photography where traveling light was essential.

Figure getting about two additional stops over hand-holding when using a monopod. I think the best monopods are made by Gitzo and they are guaranteed for life plus any reincarnations (really!). A good monopod can double as a walking stick. Monopods are a lot handier to use than a tripod, particularly if you are like me and prefer hand-holding a camera over messing with a tripod. A monopod packs easily in a carry-on bag; try doing that with anything but the smallest tripods! And monopods can sometimes be used in settings where tripods are not allowed, such as museums.

I use a Bogen head that is quite small and has only two settings: horizontal and vertical, which is all one really needs when using a monopod. I don't recall the model number (and my monopod is stashed inside a large gear bag at the moment...) but I paid around $15 for it 12 years ago.

[Telecorder]

Here's a monopod for all seasons:
The Bogan Manfrotto 682
18280

on this one, Don. The 682B, when set up on the tripod legs and on firm/level ground, is actually a fairly stable system and easily supports my D50 + Bigma. When treking in the woods and areas where a tripod is cumbersome/not allowed, the 682 is a neat system that does the job. With the usual caveats about not replacing a tripod, a 'good' tripod being better etc etc

And as an owner/user of one, no, light winds won't blow it over

[achuang]

I have the Manfrotto 679B with a 486RC2 ball head which i transfer over from my tripod, which saves me from buying another head for the monopod. I find that I can get about 3-4 stops over handholding, but that depends on how stable you are. Pretty much any of the manfrottos are good quality, reasonably light and sturdy.

[TNB]

I started out with a monopod, then ended up getting a tripod as well. Simply two different tools for the occassion.