How to properly use a monopod

[dugrant153]

Hi everyone,

I have a manfrotto monopod with a manfrotto ballhead and it has been useful for some shots where i need to be really steady (f22 shots at 1/4th of a second for example. hehe). However, I have found the monopod to be a bit restricting at times when I'm doing people shots or other shots where I like to move around.

Is there a certain 'workflow' to using a monopod so it doesn't seem so restricting? or is that just the nature of the monopod that I will have to live with?

Thanks!

[netuser]

I only use monopod for bird images (or a tripod if on a shelter).

Don't think would work out to my when doing people shots.

[Arpe]

I don't think there's too much choice how to use a monopod is there? (Maybe upside down? )

Using it sideline at a game I'm always lifting and putting down, don't stay in oine place much - a short distance it's just a lift and put down, longer distances either over the shoulder, or upside down held just below the camera usually.

I would think it would be a hassle for candids and moving a lot.

[rparmar]

I think if you get some sort of a sling for it so you can just toss it over a shoulder between shots it might be cooler to work with. Not sure if such a thing exists. I know I don't have one for my monopod.

[monochrome]

For me the most important consideration is to set it up for a stable body position and always shoot in the same position.

What I try to do:

1. Adjust the monopod leg extension and ballhead angle to suit my shooting position, then leave it like that and "assume the position" before each shot, like this.
   1. Stand relaxed, with right foot slightly to the rear and chest angled slightly to the right of the subject (not straight on). Extend left foot until body is in a firm, comfortable stance
   2. Place foot of monopod firmly against right instep.
   3. Adjust monopod leg extension so camera viewfinder is level with eye when neck is straight and head is comfortably positioned
   4. Adjust ballhead angle so that camera is level front to back (tilted slightly backward when monopod standing straight up) and side-to-side
      1. Adjust camera level when shooting by slightly altering stance
   5. Turn head slightly to the left to face subject
   6. Wrap camera strap around left hand for safety
   7. Bring camera to shooting eye (I shoot left) - monopod will be tilted slightly forward - about 20 degrees.
2. Using the monopod to orient camera (Left hand gently on monopod grip, right hand on camera grip and index finger on shutter release), bring elbows in to sides and gently drive monopod into instep for a steady position. Weight of your arms, especially with the left hand wrapped around the strap, gives enough force to drive the monopod foot against instep
3. Meter, Compose, etc.
4. Exhale - control breathing
5. Squeeze entire right hand to release shutter - do not "plunge" it.
   1. Shutter actuation should almost be a surprise
   2. like pulling the trigger of a rifle

With practice this becomes second nature and you will gain some stops versus pure handheld. You should be able to assume your position nearly as quickly as you can bring the camera to your eye handheld.

[dugrant153]

Haha, thanks all for the advice so far.

I know how to carry it around. That part is not particularly the issue (although it can be cumbersome at times). I have a bit of a sling method for carrying it using a tripod strap, but most of the time I just attach it to my bag. The problem is that if it is positioned horizontally, I become like a bull in a china shop and start knocking things, people, animals, cars over. Haha. Something I’ll work on.

I was more asking about to what monochrome is referring to here. How to setup a monopod and use it correctly. I guess the problem for me is that I like to shoot at a lot of varying angles so at current the monopod is a bit of a hassle as I cannot (or have not yet learned how to) adjust it quickly. I find myself turning a lot of knobs and raising and lowering the monopod a lot, which can eat up time. I like to move around a lot with different angles and differing heights, but I’d like to use a monopod to stabilize my images and gain a few stops (so I can lower my ISO). Ideally, I’d like to be using a monopod for wedding shots or events where the lights are really low.

Monochrome, thanks for the run-down on that. It really helps.

Maybe the trick is to slow down more and really think about my image before I setup for it?

[Russell-Evans]

Originally Posted by dugrant153

I guess the problem for me is that I like to shoot at a lot of varying angles so at current the monopod is a bit of a hassle as I cannot (or have not yet learned how to) adjust it quickly. I find myself turning a lot of knobs and raising and lowering the monopod a lot, which can eat up time. I like to move around a lot with different angles and differing heights, but I’d like to use a monopod to stabilize my images and gain a few stops (so I can lower my ISO). Ideally, I’d like to be using a monopod for wedding shots or events where the lights are really low.

Maybe a chest pod would work better for what you are describing?


I would think for the amount of dynamic movement you suggest, a pistol grip might be more appropriate on either the chestpod or your current monopod than a ballhead or simple tilt head.

There is the vertical Manfrotto




Or the side grip Manfrotto



Or the Silk


My monopod has twist locks and in trying, I can adjust the locks to provide support, but when pushed into the ground, collapse the leg sections. It wouldn't be hard to add a foot strap to the bottom to allow for stepping on, to pull the collapsed monopod into a longer length.


Thank you
Russell

[Al_in_the_Shire]

You might find this helpful -

How To Use A Monopod & Multi-Purpose Tripod

[reeftool]

I generally use a monopod for shooting with a longer lens or shooting in low light with a slow shutter. When I am shooting people at a party or similar situation I probably wouldn't use it except for the occasional shot. Mine isn't that easy to make quick adjustments on the fly either and thats probably good because if everything was that loose it wouldn't provide the added stability needed. A monopod is kind of a compromise tool. A tripod is much better but it ties you down to one spot while a monopod allows you to move. For height adjustments and switching position from vertical and horizontal shooting you still need to turn a knob or 2 and change length and angle and then re-tighten. Probably the best way to do it all faster is use it a lot so you can make adjustments without looking. Some monopods and ballheads are better than others at this. To buy one by mail or online is difficult. It's really the kind of thing you need to try in a store to see if it will work for your needs.

[rparmar]

I don't make adjustments to the monopod on the fly. I adjust it for my body and leave it.

I have the the side grip Manfrotto pictured above. That is what I adjust to get the shot, not the monopod itself.

That said, I really only use a monopod for macro shots with the Viv Series 1 105mm, which is large and heavy.

[Ratmagiclady]

I like using one of those Y-fork shooting/scope rests for being more mobile than a lot of things you'd use a monopod for. I don't often use a head on a monopod, and tend to like to set the length a bit lower than me standing straight up would be: I tend to cock my head a bit sideways, anyway, but this also helps with any case where I'm shooting down an incline.



The Y-fork has the advantage of staying out of your way easily, (You just walk with it and prop it under the lens when you need both hands) and again, you don't need a head, even to do verticals.

Works nice with a hiking staff, too.

[GerryL]

The quick action grips are great as you only have to squeeze them and let go for it to lock again.
No more fiddling with screws on a ballhead.

[dugrant153]

I just used my monopod during a very dark exhibition shoot and I have to say that it was very quite useful.

the problem is that I use primes and I like to use manual focus... soooo... this makes things difficult in two ways:

1) changing lenses is more difficult with a camera on a monopod.
2) manual focus means my hand is on the camera and not on the grip itself.

What i've done so far is this: as what monochrome and others have said, I set my monopod up to the height I want it to be. Then I push the base of it against the instep of my foot (Which REALLY helps stabilize it more). i adjust the ball head, and maybe move a few inches with my feet to recompose the composition. Then focus, check settings and shoot.

It's a few extra steps, but it beats having to take a few extra shots and having to raise the ISO to higher levels. And also, the weight of the camera is on the monopod itself (thus the floor) and not my arms. This makes for a lighter camera in a sense

soooo... so far so good. my ballhead is a simple 'twist to tighten' design so i twist, adjust, twist to tighten.

Maybe I just need a ton of practice to get used to it. i'll say this much though: having a monopod doesn't excuse me from searching for the best light (which I *should* be doing anyways) but it does help a lot in situations where there isn't any... or (with camera on monopod) i want to look like Gandalf from LOTR. haha