Monopod why

Monopods also offer much more versatility in movement as you now have only on one leg, not three, and they are much quicker to set up than their three-legged brethren. But if your arms get tired from holding your camera up all day, then a monopod may well be very suited to your needs. While tripods and monopods offer extra support and in some cases, stability for your camera, there are times when one is more useful than the other and one cannot always be used in place of the other.

With this frame, I used a tripod to prevent camera shake that would have been caused by the 3. This shutter speed was used to blur the water.

Use a tripod for long exposures like this. This is the monopod I use. Editor's Tip: If you're struggling to get your photos sharp and don't know how to fix the problem, consult this in-depth guide. A monopod isn't for everyone, nor is it for every shooting situation.

But the same is true of a tripod. If you don't want to buy a tripod and a monopod, get the best of both worlds by getting a tripod with a detachable leg, like the Sirui W shown above.

The key is to understand that sometimes your camera needs more stability than your hands and arms can offer. Stop suffering with holding your camera for hours on end and getting photos that aren't as sharp as they could be.

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Sometimes to do this you need to get your hands on the right equipment. We can print your memories from smartphones, social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram or even your digital camera. Take your skills to the next level though our live events. You know what a tripod is, but have you heard of a monopod?

We're going to talk about what a monopod is, when you'd use one and the circumstances where they're more useful than a tripod. So, as a quick definition, a tripod has three legs while a monopod has only one. Practically speaking, this means that you have to either stabilise the monopod when you shoot, or physically hold the camera when you have it mounted on the monopod. On the surface, a monopod may seem less practical than a tripod.

You still have to hold it, it's not as stable, etc. However, there are definite advantages to using a monopod, and many photographers' kits wouldn't be complete without it. Monopods collapse into themselves when they're not in use, and they usually come in three or four expanding sections that allow the pieces to collape for easy storage. You can get monopods in varying heights, and they're an excellent alternative to the bulkier tripod.

Similar to tripods, they come in two materials:. Monopods come in many different shapes, sizes and constructions. Why would you use a monopod when you can just have a more stable tripod? Well, in fact there are a number of reasons and situations where you'd choose to a monopod over a tripod.

We touch on a few of these below:. Weight - One primary benefit of a monopod is to reduce the weight of handholding all your camera gear. This is particularly useful when shooting sports and wildlife, where you'll want something to alleviate the weight of the larger telephoto lenses that you'll likely be using.

This will make it much easier for you to shoot for longer periods of time. In addition, the fact that they only have one leg means they will be a lot lighter and smaller than tripods when transporting, even potentially fitting in your luggage when traveling. Flexibility - A major advantage of monopods over tripods is that they are much faster to set up and reposition.

This means that any situation where you need some stability but must still retain flexibility, a monopod is king. For example, one common monopod application is for event shooting, such as a wedding, and particularly for video shooters. Handheld video is fine for some applications, but typically events work requires a more stable, professional look, such as that achieved when shooting from a tripod.

However, your goal is also to cover as much of the event as possible, which typically means quickly capturing a lot of different shots and viewpoints. Tripods take too much time to set up and tear down if you are moving frequently, while a monopod can be much faster while still providing good stabilisation. Monopods are a great way to reduce the burden of large and heavy gear without sacrificing mobility. Size - Another benefit of a monopod over a tripod is in a reduced footprint.

This is particularly useful when you're in tight or restricted areas. Because monopods have a much smaller footprint than tripods, they can be used in tight areas or in large crowds much more effectively than tripods can. Perspective - If you want a different perspective, it's relatively easy to boost your monopod up over your head with your camera attached without disturbing the people around you.

This would be almost impossible not to mention dangerous to attempt with a tripod due to the extra legs. Legal Reasons - Some sporting arenas and public spaces don't allow tripods to be set up because they can obstruct the natural flow of traffic. Oftentimes these rules do not also apply to monopods because of their reduced footprint, as discussed above. Monopods are generally accepted in public areas where tripods are excluded, as there's a better chance that you won't obstruct crowds and will be able to quickly move out of the way if necessary.

There are a few ways you can position a monopod, and it's a good idea to experiment with all of them before you settle on one specific way, particularly if you're a beginner, as the optimum position depends on your photography style. Ways to use a monopod include, but are not limited to:. To use a monopod in this way, position yourself with your legs spread to about shoulder-width apart.

Centre your monopod at the mid-point between your legs, but about 30 centimetres out in front of you. This pose mimics a traditional tripod's stance, with the monopod acting as one leg and the photographer's two legs forming the second and third leg of the tripod. You can add another layer of stability by using the wrist strap to anchor it, and apply some downward pressure to push monopod's foot to the ground, providing extra stability.

You want to get into position with your hips at a slight angle in relation to your shoulder. This mimics a boxer's stance with one foot slightly back behind the other foot. This is your rear foot, and it's going to be where you brace your monopod.

You can lean the monopod against your leg for added stability. Your hand should be pushing the monopod into the ground, and you should also have the wrist strap engaged for extra security.

Stand just like you did in method two, with your hips slightly angled to your shoulders and one foot slightly back from the other.