Tripods and Monopods

[Groucho]

How do you shoot portrait with a head like that one?

I believe you'd just flip it all the way forward and rotate the camera to face ahead instead of at the ground. You may need to rotate the QR plate, too.

It's not ideal for that - but monopods aren't conducive to portrait shooting in general, IMHO, unless you stick on a big head that can do the portrait rotation itself without having to hang the head off sideways.

 

[Wingman]

I believe you'd just flip it all the way forward and rotate the camera to face ahead instead of at the ground. You may need to rotate the QR plate, too.

It's not ideal for that - but monopods aren't conducive to portrait shooting in general, IMHO, unless you stick on a big head that can do the portrait rotation itself without having to hang the head off sideways.

Thanks, I was looking into this one and could not figure shooting portrait. I agree, it does not appear to be easy.

Thanks,

 

[boBQuincy]

How do you shoot portrait with a head like that one?

With this:
http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/03.html

and this:
http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html

 

[annnewjerz]

With this:
http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/03.html

and this:
http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html

Oooooh. I've been stalking this thread since I plan to get a monopod sometime in the next few months and me likey the L-plate. I just might have to pick one up for my tripod. I tried to shoot one portrait of the Barnegat Lighthouse when I went the other weekend and it was such a pain in the butt doing it on my tripod that I scrapped the idea and just shot landscape (lazy, I know).

 

[RBennett]

What I've seen is a head that primarily only rotates up and down, and you can rotate left and right by twisting the entire monopod.

Ahh, here you go, for $35. You can get the one without quick release for about $20, but I would stick with the QR. You will probably want to make sure that whatever you end up with uses the same QR plate as whatever head you have on a tripod, so you can go between with quickly and easily.

THANK YOU Groucho!!!! I knew I could count on ya! And thanks to everyone else as well for GREAT ideas!! My main concern for my monopod is just something quick and easy when I'm too hyped up on caffeine to keep my camera steady. So I'm not too concerned with shooting portrait; but like you said, it is doable if you really want to. That's PERFECT!!

 

[edolyne]

I would second the suggestion from Groucho. The Manfrottoe Quick Release head seems to fit the bill quite nicely, and doesn't have the huge price tag of the arca swiss quick release system.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

Is there a big difference between mono pods? i am in the market for onw, but didn't realize they can range from $15 to $200. I am clueless as tot he differences and thought I better ask other people around here. I currently have a Nikon D60, so I don't need one to hold 30lbs or anything, but want a sturdy one so that i don't risk damaging anything. Any insight would be great.

Thanks

 

[YesDear]

What do you plan to use it for?

 

[JoeDif]

I think you can get away with a mid-priced monopod. A ball head with a quick release plate is a must however IMHO.

I used my monopod without the quick release plate the first few times......what a pain that was.

 

[boBQuincy]

Monopods hold to the same three parameters as tripods: sturdiness; weight; price. You get to pick two and the manufacturer dictates the third. I doubt there is much difference in sturdiness between brands and models in the range most of us would use, after that we are mostly paying for light weight.

I use a 3 ounce monopod that works well up to about 4-5 pounds but most people want something a bit sturdier.

 

[jann1033]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6CO/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
i got this one a few yrs ago. it is sturdy. i compared it to local ones for almost double the price and they were much shakier. this one is great with my biggest kit which is about 5 lbs or so. it's so light i usually just leave it on my camera (closed)when i go someplace like the zoo where i will be using my 70-200 lens. personally i don't use a ball head with it, i find it easier to just tilt the whole pod.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

Thanks for the info... I think I may have found a couple that i am going to go check out... I went to check out your photo gallery boBQuincy... Those are very nice pictures... What type of camera do you have?

 

[boBQuincy]

Thanks! I have a Canon D30, 10D, and 30D but have been using a Rebel Xsi for the last 9 months. It's smaller. lighter, and doesn't seem to give up anything compared to my other SLRs.

 

[SilverL]

Hello photography gurus

My new Sony Cybershot DSC-W220 arrived today. I ordered it from NewEgg.com, and bundled with it was a Monopod. The only camera I have ever owned was another Cybershot, which was unfortunately stolen the week after I bought it. Needless to say, I'm very new to photography.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if there is any reason for my DH and I to bring the Monopod to the parks with us on our trip. What do you use your monopod/tripod for?

Here is the monopod I received: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830997069

Also, here are some pictures I took with the camera. I literally took the camera out of the box, charged the battery for 5 minutes, put it on P and started snapping shots. I'm really happy knowing that I don't need to understand my camera to get good pictures

 

[pointandshoot]

Nice, sharp pictures! Color looks good.

About the monopod. I have used a monopod in the Animal Kingdom when I am carrying a big zoom lens and shooting animals. Any other time, I will use either a tripod or it is handheld.

The monopod would give you a bit more stability and reduce camera shake if you are shooting in the evening when the light is low. This would make your pictures sharper. During the day, you should be fine without it.

My suggestion is to try taking pictures at home first with it. Monopods can be tedious to use and you end up either making constant adjustments to its length or tilting it back and forth at odd angles to get the shot you want if you mount your camera directly to the monopod.

Good luck with your new camera. Please share your pictures.

Chuck

 

[YesDear]

To be honest, I see no reason to use a monopod with a P&S camera. As pointandshoot says, it is designed to give additional stability to a long telephoto lens when used with action shots. You camera does not fit the long lens category.

Unless you want it as a walking stick, I suggest you leave at home.

 

[SilverL]

To be honest, I see no reason to use a monopod with a P&S camera. As pointandshoot says, it is designed to give additional stability to a long telephoto lens when used with action shots. You camera does not fit the long lens category.

Unless you want it as a walking stick, I suggest you leave at home.

Good to know I have found that this camera takes pretty good pictures even when I'm moving. So I really don't think it's necessary, either

 

[boBQuincy]

Actually... many more photos are unsharp because of camera motion than we realize. Even at shutter speeds considered "safe" camera motion can cause blurring. As pixel count has increased the bar has been raised to where 8x10 is no longer the standard by which we judge sharpness, some form of camera support becomes more important. A monopod stops motion in the most likely plane, vertical.

A P&S is actually more likely to move around than a heavier camera due to it's lightness.
I always carry a monopod and use it for almost any photo I think I might want to print at a decent size. It does make a difference in sharpness. Ymmv...

 

[jann1033]

i'm not sure if this still applies with the newer IS but it has been said in the past that IS basically gives you the same "stability" as a monopod. so it probably would depend if your camera or lenses have IS or not as to how helpful it would be. i usually just attach mine to my camera once it's out of the bag and carry it like that( closed). it is lightweight and really i don't notice it's there till i want it. i just have to be care if i put the camera in portrait i don't konk anyone in the head . i notice a big difference when i use it for a longer lens than 100mm . usually in bright conditions i don't use it under that. .

 

[roberthodgson]

I am thinking about bringing a tripod or monopod with us to Disney are there any restrictons or problems using them in the park ?

Thanks

Rob