Tripods and Monopods

[disneygirlinnj]

Thanks everyone! Looks like I'll be heading back to the store in a bit!

 

[Snurk71]

I tried fireworks last year with a monopod. They were all terrible.

 

[Groucho]

Well, it's not impossible to get half-way decent fireworks photos with a monopod - but it ain't easy. I shot Illuminations using a monopod, but I wedged it between the railing and tried to use my body and my foot to keep pressure on it (hard to explain).

Here's one that was 1.4 seconds:

I was using a fisheye lens, hence the curved horizon. If you can find something to brace the monopod again, you may get acceptable results, but it's unlikely that you'll be able to completely match a tripod.

For SpectroMagic and other moving nighttime parades, I think a monopod or tripod is not going to be useful - the floats move fast enough that if you use a shutter speed slow enough to require a monopod or tripod, you'll get blurs from the movement of the floats.

Also very important IMHO for fireworks is a remote shutter release, so you can shoot in bulb mode.

 

[boBQuincy]

Well, it's not impossible to get half-way decent fireworks photos with a monopod - but it ain't easy. I shot Illuminations using a monopod, but I wedged it between the railing and tried to use my body and my foot to keep pressure on it (hard to explain).

I was using a fisheye lens, hence the curved horizon.

WOW!!! Nice photo!

 

[PoohJen]

Ok...PLEASE bear with what must be the stupidest question I've ever dared post here! It's just that I've spent so much time prepping for my upcoming Disney trip, I don't want any unexpected surprises! (well, not bad ones anyway!)

So...will I have any problem with airport security if I pack my monopod in my carry on luggage? Don't want to find out it's a Class 4 Blunt Object! I hate being selected for those full body probes.

In case it matters, it's a Canon something-or-other, and it retracts down to about 15 inches in length, give or take.

TIA!

 

[SharonLowe]

Ok...PLEASE bear with what must be the stupidest question I've ever dared post here! It's just that I've spent so much time prepping for my upcoming Disney trip, I don't want any unexpected surprises! (well, not bad ones anyway!)

So...will I have any problem with airport security if I pack my monopod in my carry on luggage? Don't want to find out it's a Class 4 Blunt Object! I hate being selected for those full body probes.

In case it matters, it's a Canon something-or-other, and it retracts down to about 15 inches in length, give or take.

TIA!

It likely depends on the TSA agent. They are not listed but some might consider it to be a "bat". I suggest calling the airport. If it is carbon fiber and doesn't have a point in the bottom, it might be okay but our advice means nothing to the TSA . If you are checking bags, I would just pack it to be safe. I always pack my tripod and never have a problem.

 

[boBQuincy]

Ok...PLEASE bear with what must be the stupidest question I've ever dared post here!

TIA!

That's not *nearly* the stupidest question I ever read! You have a long way to go to get there.

I carry my ultralight monopod and the TSA has never mentioned it. It probably helps that it looks like a folding cane and only weighs 3 ounces, not much of a weapon.
A standard monopod with a head could probably be dangerous in the right hands (not including the terrible photos some people take with them) and I would bet eventually some TSA droid would stop you from carrying it on the plane.

 

[PoohJen]

LOL; okay, thanks y'all! Glad to know I wasn't being entirely paranoid. I'll pack it in my checked luggage to avoid any potential hassle.


Bob, love the tags! are they new? They look good on you!

 

[AndrewWG]

I don't have a real answer about the monopod. I just got back and here is what I learned about the TSA.

First, when I left Providence, they made me take the DSLR sout of the bag and into a bin by itself. Don't know why, but that's what they did. I didn't get any questions whatsoever about the tripod in my checked luggage and there was no evidence that they searched the bag, most likely it was just scanned like all the rest.

Second, on my way back from Orlando, they did not ask me to take the DSLR out of the bag, but I did anyways and they thanked me for doing it. They actually made it a point to thank me, which I thought was strange, but nice I guess. Again, no questions about the tripod in checked luggage as I suspected there wouldn't be.

So I guess the TSA rules are flexible depending on who is working that day, but it does seem like they would like a DSLR to be scanned separately from the rest of the camera stuff.

 

[SharonLowe]

I don't have a real answer about the monopod. I just got back and here is what I learned about the TSA.

First, when I left Providence, they made me take the DSLR sout of the bag and into a bin by itself. Don't know why, but that's what they did. I didn't get any questions whatsoever about the tripod in my checked luggage and there was no evidence that they searched the bag, most likely it was just scanned like all the rest.

Second, on my way back from Orlando, they did not ask me to take the DSLR out of the bag, but I did anyways and they thanked me for doing it. They actually made it a point to thank me, which I thought was strange, but nice I guess. Again, no questions about the tripod in checked luggage as I suspected there wouldn't be.

So I guess the TSA rules are flexible depending on who is working that day, but it does seem like they would like a DSLR to be scanned separately from the rest of the camera stuff.

I've never been asked to take out my camera though my camera bag has been subjected to manual search on occasion. I think it usually happens when the agent has camera envy

The current rule is to take out video cameras, DVD players and laptops and put them in separate bins. For a while, early on after 9/11, had to put all electronics in a separate bin so for our family of 4 on a trip to London once, it was 4 ipods, 3 mobile phones, 2 portable game systems, a DVD player, several cameras (both slr and p&s), and a video camera!

My checked bag with tripod sometimes has a TSA notice inside - never know why it was picked though.

 

[mhutchinson]

I have been asked to put my dSLR in the tray as well, coming out of DC once I hadn't and they treated it like a bomb threat. Checking the case zippers for evidence of explosives and going in to each nook and cranny, I was waiting for the dogs to come around the corner next.

I have never carried either my tripod or monopod on board, they have always been checked without questions.

 

[MICKEY88]

, it was 4 ipods, 3 mobile phones, 2 portable game systems, a DVD player, several cameras (both slr and p&s), and a video camera!

.

sounds like a modern version of "the 12 days of Christmas"

 

[MICKEY88]

double post...oops.

 

[wkrider]

Hey all,

I have a strange situation here. My DW and I went to the Phoenix Zoo Lights last night and I took my K100D. I used the monopod and low and behold when I went to take it off it just spins. I did not over tighten it, as I am always careful not too, and I had just taken off my wrist grip and it came off just fine. I can get a butter knife blade in between the camera body and the monopod and apply force while I twist it but it still just spins. I am wondering if the nut inside the camera is spinning and not allowing the monopod bolt to spin out.....has this happened to anyone else???? If so what did you do to fix it???? Thanks a bunch.

 

[wkrider]

Well that was wierd...after letting it sit for a while, I just unscrewed it....can not explain that one.

 

[DVC Jen]

Glad you got it off.

 

[wkrider]

Glad you got it off.

Thanks, I am glad I did not have to take it in somewhere. It was the wierdest thing. I am a little worried about using the mount now wondering if it spins on the inside and I might have the same issue again.

 

[ukcatfan]

Try sticking an eraser in it to see if you can rotate it. If so, and you are still in warranty, send it in for repairs.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

I suspect you're using a bushing in there since the monopod probably has a smaller screw than the K100D accept? Maybe there's a problem with that.

I'd be really surprised to hear that the tripod mount on the camera itself is loose.

 

[seashoreCM]

Double check to see whether the bolt was spinning in the monopod's own tilt/swivel joint as opposed to spinning in the camera.

Can you tighten and loosen the monopod tilt/swivel joint?

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm