[Foxesbrew]

An ordinary telescopic wallking pole makes a decent monopod. raise it up slip your left hand through the loop and off you go.

[Dabhand16]

There is a walking pole in this month's Digital Photo magazine that you can take the top cap off and reveal a camera mounting screw thread. Made by EXPED £24.95. Length from 66cm - 146cm.

[orangepeel]

for those without the mag...

Exped Viewfinder Pole

[Chris]

Leki do these as well, bit more expensive...

:. LEKI AT OPEN AIR .: - Leki, shop, UK, poles, sticks, trekking, hiking, buy, makalu, ultralight, wanderfreund, online shop, walking poles, trekking poles, hiking poles, easy lock, soft antishock, triple sprin

[Steve]

How many people here use monopods?

I never really understood the benefits...ok it helps reduce movement along one axis but it can't help much on the others so why not just do the job properly and use a tripod?

Steve waits for the heated discussion to arrive

[P-E]

I have a monopod which I took out with me when I was too lazy to carry a tripod............I soon learnt this was a mistake.

[Markulous]

Ummm, the number of times I've missed out on some rare and exotic insect (well, OK, a very common one!) through attempting to maneuver a tripod into position. Monopod or handheld mostly now!

But do always carry a tripod for static (flaaarrrs!) or, more importantly, beating off the would-be thieving chavs!

[Foxesbrew]

Originally Posted by Foxesbrew

An ordinary telescopic wallking pole makes a decent monopod. raise it up slip your left hand through the loop and off you go.

I would not buy a monopod,a tripod is to my mind the best tool to use.But when i am rambling around,I always use a walking pole.Using the pole as described keeps down weight, not to mention unnescessary expense.It is no substitute for a tripod but as a makeshift device when walking i have found it of some assistance.

[Chris]

I've got arthritis in my back and hands so keeping weight to a minimum is a requirement for me, I use a Manfrotto 676B (I think) with a 234RC head.

[fionaB]

Originally Posted by Steve

How many people here use monopods?

I never really understood the benefits...ok it helps reduce movement along one axis but it can't help much on the others so why not just do the job properly and use a tripod?

Steve waits for the heated discussion to arrive

I actually use a monopod more than my tripod. because i am into the ruins and castles/ graveyards carrying the tripod and then finding room to set it up is a pain and i used to miss some potentially cracking pics because i didint hve room to set up. using the mono i find i can get it just about anywhere i want it. ......... ohhh and it makes a minghty handy hill walking stick as well! and with a little imagination my son will carry it for me when not in use and use it as a make believe rocket launcher......... And as it only cost me £4.00 frmo cancer research shop ( brand new still in box etc) I am not gonna complain lol
Fiona

[stepheno]

The monopod sits in the car and is always there. I'll take the tripod for s specific shot/shoot and for indoor work. But for convenience it's mainly the monopod. As already said you can miss the shot whilst setting up a tripod.

[Hacker]

I use a monopod all the time at equestrian events, standing in a field for a few hours with D200+grip+80-200mm lens gets a tad tiring after a while.

[VeddieEdder]

I do sports photography, and a monopod is a must for me. Countless times where I nearly got clobbered on a sideline, I'd imagine had I been using a tripod, I may not have got me gear out of the way as easily as I do.