how does a monopod work

[dciscool]

Im wondering about monopods
You hold the camera in your hand on the stick?
They dont keep your camera completely steady do they.
Id imagine - theres still sway side to side?

[Greg B]

dciscool

A monopod provides more support for your camera than you might think. It removes all movement up and down, enables you to brace the camera quite effectively (particularly with a bit of practice), while providing a much greater degree of mobility than a tripod. If you are following action, you get considerable stability with very little loss of movement.


I don't use my monopod much with the d70 (they are really good with video camera to avoid that hand held shaky thing), but some peole use them quite a bit.

[birddog114]

monopod helps you to control the shaking, perhaps with the big zoom lenses as 200VR/ 300VR/ 200-400VR and 3,4,600mm.
easy to operate than the three legs in somewhere space is restricted, your companion to travel light and is one of your self-defense weapon to some "naughty" guys on the road, instead of a cricket bat or a baseball bat.

[Mj]

I've just got myself a monopod... will come in very handy as I often head out without a tripod but will endeavour to always take my monopod. Quick to use and easy to setup in places you might struggle with a tripod... oh and important to mention very much cheaper than a decent tripod !!!

[mudder]

G'day,
I have what appears to be a reasonably good monopod (Manfrotto) but find it awkward to move at all as I don't have any form of "head" on it, just the cam screwed to the top...

Dumb question time... Can you get some form of ball type of head to put ont eh top of a moniopod so you can pivot the camera around (vertically and horizontally) while keep the benefits of a monopod (as in a stable vertical platform)?

Thanks for any advice...

Cheers,
Mudder

[Mj]

Simple answer is 'yes' you can fit a ball head onto a monopod and some are better for this than others due to size extra.

Personally I haven't a head for mine yet and may just get a quick release mechanism instead as this is the only reason I think a head is of value on a monopod... to help get it on and off quickly.

cheers,

Michael.

[birddog114]

G'day,
I have what appears to be a reasonably good monopod (Manfrotto) but find it awkward to move at all as I don't have any form of "head" on it, just the cam screwed to the top...

Dumb question time... Can you get some form of ball type of head to put ont eh top of a moniopod so you can pivot the camera around (vertically and horizontally) while keep the benefits of a monopod (as in a stable vertical platform)?

Thanks for any advice...

Cheers,
Mudder

Yes, you can,

Please look at :

The AUB Acratech Ultimate Ballhead, expensive for your monopod but will work with tripod if you have one now or in the future.

http://acratech.net/miva/merchant.mv?Sc ... t_Code=ubh

Second look at the RRS:
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tutoria ... index.html

Both of them require the lens foot with dove tail or the L bracket or camera plate with dove tail

The other alternative is use the Manfrotto 234RC Monopod head w/qck release.

[mudder]

Thanks Birddog!

I've go have a sticky...

Cheers,
Mudder

[Matt. K]

The only type of head you need for a monopod is one that lets you tilt the camera up or down. If you are photographing a plane in the sky, for instance...without a head you would have to tilt the monopod at a crazy angle and it is a bit awkward to do. To turn the camera left or right you simply rotate the monopod. So a cheap up and down tilting head is OK.