Tripods and Monopods

[jann1033]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6CO
i got this one, it's great ,had it about a yr, very stable and has a nice padded hand part, a wrist strap... i usually use for times i want just a little stabilization ie at the zoo when i am going to use my 200mm where as i use my tripod for long exposures, macro, things like that...imo you probably need both.

 

[Groucho]

I find myself rarely using my monopod. The main time I used it is when I'd use my old screw-mount 400mm F5.6 lens, which was a monster and nearly impossible to handhold. I since sold it. (It was also before I had a DSLR with IS!) If/when I pick up another lens with similar size/weight, I'd probably drag it out again... it was good for the zoo.

I did bring it to WDW last trip, along with my tripod, and would only bring one each day. I'm leaving it home next trip, the tripod is just plain more useful - and you can always extend just one leg if need be. It doesn't help that my monopod is a pretty heavy aluminum Monfrotto one vs my carbon fiber tripod!

 

[Master Mason]

I use mine all the time when shooting sports, and almost never otherwise, I guess technically I take it to disney since it lives in my car, but I never take it into the park.

 

[boBQuincy]

I always carry a monopod and try to use it whenever the shutter speed is below about 1/100 (but above 1/4). It makes a big difference.

 

[SharonS]

Personally, I can hand-hold better than I can use a mono-pod. There are some very small full extension tripods available. I have one that fits nicely in my bag, and adds virtually no weight.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

so apparantly I do need a monopod as DH came home with it for me last night. I had fun playing around with it. I think it will work out nicely. Thank you all.

 

[AlphaMale]

My wife loves having all the pictures from our trips but I don't think she would like setting up a tripod for shots. If I were to take one, it would have to be for night shots of Wishes.

 

[Bete]

Here's a kind of fool's compromise that I did last time around. I carried a monopod on my belt or bag using a carabiner for quick release. I also carried in my bag a couple lengths of velcro tape. I found a number of convenient locations (fences, posts, etc.) where I could fasten the monopod to a rigid vertical object and get good results. I also carried a minitripod about (8" extended) which could be set on a table, trash can, or wall for other shots. The monopod was quickly & easily attached to & removed from the camera, and also helped with panning for shots like the stunt cars at MGM.

Not a fully adequate substitute for a tripod, but the velcro tape adds a bit of versatility. I bought mine on clearance right after last Christmas - it was sold as a fastener for hanging greenery.

Thanks for the velcro tip. I'll try that on my December trip.

Sometimes a tripod is not allowed for safety reasons. As an example, for Candlelight Processional it blocks the seat aisle and it's considered a fire hazard for that reason. Somehow, a monopod is considered ok in this instance. This is what I was told by a CM there.

A monopod takes up less space; therefore, other park guests are more tolerable of you using them. Also, I can hold on better to a monopod and I'm much less likely to get bumped with it; because my body to a certain extent is protecting it. In some spaces, you may not be able to set up a tripod; because, it just doesn't fit and a monopod will fit. With an ECV you can put a monopod through the basket hole on most units and that adds to your stability using it and it won't be in anyone's way putting it in the basket of the ECV. A monopod is lighter and easier to carry around, too.

I know a tripod has better results most of the time, but considering it's easier to lug around and works pretty well, I'll stick with a monopod at Disney. I've had decent results with it. One tip, I get very good video using a stabilizer feature with a monopod whereas for a tripod you couldn't do it.

If you need the very best of pictures, etc. then by all means a tripod will be better than a monopod.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

A Clamperpod is the same thing and possibly cheaper than the Bogen (which I haven't priced.) I've got the Clamperpod and it's pretty cool, and fairly sturdy. The weak point is definitely the ball head that you put on it. However, I rarely use it (only once or twice at WDW last trip), but it's so small and light (and fairly affordable) that I don't mind.

That's much smaller and lighter than the Bogen Super Clamp, but it's also not nearly as sturdy and not as well suited for rounded surfaces. I've only recently bought the Super Clamp, so I can't really say too much about useful it will be over time. I doubt that I'll bring it to WDW. I'd rather just drag along my travel tripod when I know I'll be shooting in the park at night.

 

[wkrider]

Well, you can do what I did on our last trip just a couple weeks ago. You can take a gorillapod then when you go to use it realize that the quick release is on your computer desk at your house that is over 2000 miles away. I then resorted to my monopod and found that it had a loose head. I could tighten it all the way and the plastic portion that is attached to the metal ball was loose. So I had neither...thank goodness for garbage cans. . The moral to my story...not matter what you plan for it could all go wrong...but hey you are still in WDW and having a wonderful time.

 

[Disney2XS]

A little bit off topic - but I took my mono-pod last January to use with my XTi. But I also used it with my video camera at the Osborne Lights to hold the video camera a couple feet above the crowd and got some good video of the show.

 

[Groucho]

That's much smaller and lighter than the Bogen Super Clamp, but it's also not nearly as sturdy and not as well suited for rounded surfaces. I've only recently bought the Super Clamp, so I can't really say too much about useful it will be over time. I doubt that I'll bring it to WDW. I'd rather just drag along my travel tripod when I know I'll be shooting in the park at night.

FWIW, there is a Clamperpod model with curved surfaces that's designed to clamp onto rounded surfaces.

It is small and light but it's sturdier than you might expect. You can clamp the main part down pretty tight, and the swivel that has the screw on it is machined with grooves so that it "locks" into place when you tighten it down, it's very unlikely that it will rotate. The weak point is definitely the ball head, a "matching" mini ball head is going to be pretty small and flimsy. You could put on a larger ball head though and have a reasonably sturdy solution, if there's something good to clamp on to.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming that it's the best invention since individually wrapped slices of processed cheese food, but it is cheap and does what it says on the tin.

 

[tchrrx]

Is there a problem with taking a monopod into the parks? DH is wanting to take his a couple of times for the parades and fireworks. Any hints on the easiest way to carry one of these around without poking yourself or someone else?

 

[Master Mason]

Is there a problem with taking a monopod into the parks? DH is wanting to take his a couple of times for the parades and fireworks. Any hints on the easiest way to carry one of these around without poking yourself or someone else?

Two options, the first is put it into a locker until the time you need it. The second would be to rig a strap on it that allows it to be strung over your back, those are my two options with my tripod, I guess a third with a mono would be to carry like a walking stick.

However, for fireworks, a tripod would be much better than a monopod IMO.

 

[Danauk]

I have a tripod bag for my tripod so I can just carry it over my shoulder, very easy to do. Perhaps you could get one of those?

 

[drcandon]

I have a monopod I use quite a bit and I was in the same dilemma - how to carry the stupid thing... Also even my lightweight tripod was a pain in the rear end to carry..

Then on a recent hiking expidition in one of our big parks I can across a nature photographer with a large and I do mean large tripod slung across his back in a camoflaged carry case - wow..how cool...no shiny metal to scare the animals or whatever.....So naturally being a nosey type and always taking advantage of someone else figuring out something so I don't have to strain my brain, I asked him about this container...

He showed me the contraption and to my surprise the tripod also had a carry strap - also camoflaged!!!

Never seen that in a photography store..I said..

Nope and you won't he said with a grin..I guess in his off time from photography he is a bow hunter..and the strap and carry case was a bow strap and a full flexible camoflaged quiver..(not the ones that just hold arrows - the old Robin Hood style)

So I went to my local Walmart and in Canada - Canadian Tire, and sure enough they had bow straps and a cheapy quiver - not like the one he had though, but the bow strap works..

I did find the quiver on line...in the US you can order it from various online archery supply stores....It won't hold a huge tripod but does hold the monopod just fine.

And they are way way cheaper then a tripod bag - archery being a mass produced supply thing - products are competative

 

[Pea-n-Me]

There's a spot right on my Lowepro Slingshot 100 for a monopod, mine fits perfectly.

 

[dr_zero]

You know those collapsible chairs that come in a nylon tube with a strap on it they come in handy.

Also try Freecycle in your area there might be one of these or a case or ??? someone is giving away reduce and re-use!

 

[boBQuincy]

Have these guys make you a folding monopod with 5 or 6 sections:
http://www.polesforyou.com/

 

[Disney2XS]

When we were at Disney last January, the Emporium on Main Street sold a Carabiner with a large rubber o-ring on it that I think they sold to carry your water bottle on your belt. I bought one and was able to slide the o-ring on my monopod and then clipped it on my belt. I didn't carry it around the park all day, but when I did carry it, I could easily clip it on my belt so that I wouldn't have to hold it all the time.