Monopods

I'm with fotch I perfer tripods with my still cameras and slow speeds.

Jeff

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Originally Posted by Jeff Kubach

I'm with fotch I perfer tripods with my still cameras and slow speeds.

Jeff

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Monopods aren't meant as a replacement for tripods, they're meant as a replacement for handholding.

The last place I used mine was sitting in the packed stands of a basketball gym for a college graduation. Hand hold or monopod were the only options.

Wedding receptions, street photography, and climbing the Astoria Column (Astoria, OR) are all examples of places where monopods can work well and tripods might be a bit out of place.

I like tripods too but monopods really do have a niche they can fill, and its a big niche; most people I know handhold and avoid flash far too long.

If you are tall, finding a monopod that will work well with an SLR might be difficult. Mine only extends to about 5', but my main use is with Mamiya C twin-lens cameras, or my MPP Technical. Both of those are heavy to hand-hold for a long time. I have a Benbo ball head on mine so that I can lean into the monopod and keep the camera level. I got mine when I was doing a lot of hiking and cycling and carrying a tripod was difficult.

Used with care a monopod should give you an extra two stops slower shutter speed (subject and photographer permitting), but that is not my main reason for using one.

I have a Manfrotto and use it a whole lot. It is not a tripod substitute, but can get me 2-3 extra stops beyond what I can hand hold. I'm 5' 6" so it's high enough for me, plus I usually add a swivel head from a light stand so I can tilt the camera up or down without having to lean the monopod.

I, too, use a monopod for marginal lighting, more mobile than a tripod, better than hand holding.
Mine is a Tiltall - very simple and well built, a popular brand before Manfrotto became as popular in the market.