Do You Need a Monopod? | Ask David Bergman

Today's question from Martin is, “Hi David, I’d like to take pictures of birds in flight, flowers, and landscapes. I’ll be taking them from a moving boat. I have image stabilization on my camera, but should I also use a monopod?”

Canon Explorer of Light David Bergman is a NYC-based tour photographer and educator with more than 30 years of experience. Currently the official tour photographer for Luke Combs, he has also traveled the world with artists including Bon Jovi, Barenaked Ladies, and Sarah McLachlan. As a sports photographer, he covered numerous Olympics, Super Bowls, and World Series games and has 13 Sports Illustrated covers to his credit. A passionate public speaker and photo educator, Bergman produces the bi-weekly show "Ask David Bergman" on the Adorama YouTube channel and hosts his unique "Shoot From the Pit" live concert photography workshops.

Timestamps and Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:50 What is a Monopod?
01:02 Monopod Materials and Sizes
01:53 Stability and Motion Blur
02:31 Handling Heavy Lenses
03:24 Attaching Monopod to Lens
04:10 Carrying and Positioning Tips
04:49 Avoiding Monopod Mistakes
05:29 When Not to Use a Monopod
05:55 Wide-Angle Lens and Monopod Use
06:42 Choosing the Right Monopod
07:36 Answering Martin’s Question
08:30 Outro

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✘ GEAR USED:

Gitzo GM4552L Series 4 5-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod

3Pod Orbit 4-Section Aluminum Handheld Monopod

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM with Built-in Extender 1.4x Lens

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens

Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens

3Pod Everest H2 Ball Head

✘ PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT USED:

Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Body

Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Black Aluminum Tripod with MVH502AH Pro Video Head

CLAR Illumi Max 500 High Power 5600K LED Light

Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox With Bowens Mount (48")

Prograde cards and readers

#monopod #photographylighting #adorama

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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[richardbusch]

Hi David, I use a monopod for a couple of shoot that I do. 1 is while shooting barrel racing using my Sigma 50-500 lens. More so, so I don't tire out. Long day in the sun and having that beast just makes it easier. Granted I can still hold it if needed but at 63 age is starting to get to me. 2 is on a cruise ship for shooting all types of sunrise and night lightning strikes on the open ocean. I place it between the guardrail and myself. Mine is a Manfrotto model that came in all types of colors. A MMCOMPACT-WH. The small foot on this unit is great because it can fit in the drain rail of the ship under the handrail / guardrail and placing it at a mounting point to the ship. So between me and the ship I have 4 points of stabilization. This does work I have won awards with my shots from my cruises. So yes monopods can work on a ship but a boat is much smaller and bouncier then a cruise ship

[stuartblink]

I use monopod with mono-gimbal for wildlife photography. Helps me easily get, and hold the composition I want, without muscle fatigue. It makes photography with a big lens more rewarding for me.

[Just-a-Guy]

As I've gotten older, I've inherited a tremor in my hands from my father. A monoped has save a great number of images from my unsteadiness. I have a three legged monopod I use frequently knowing it helps insure a clean image.

[daletaylor]

David, I have, and use, a monopod for support and aerial subjects which are predictable and flying relatively level. For birds, Blue Angels and Thunderbirds, I built a gunstock wtih a pistol grip and the ability to put a bipod on the front as well. This was fine in the days of mechanical shutter releases. Haven't re-engineered for modern releases. This is one area "improvements" are NOT. A gunstock on a boat is better, as it allows strong three-point stabilization with body damping of vibration sources. I have used a monopod on a boat, but the skipper was kind enough to cut the engine. It was a catamaran on quiet water, and made a very stable platform.

[MarcFarleyJr]

I use a monopod for photographing surfers. I have considered getting a Wimberley gimbal for my tripod but so far the monopod has worked well.

[jeffreysiegel]

I use a monopod when I have to quickly switch back and forth from photos to video. After taking photos, I quickly extend the monopod, giving me additional stability with the video. I do this at the Las Vegas Convention Center where it’s very crowded, I have to move quickly from booth to booth, and using a gimbal is not practical.

[dabrussel]

Another reason to mount the monopod on the tripod collar is to avoid putting excess strain on the bayonet mount for the lens.

[DixonLu]

I'd get one with a retractable metal spike foot. Rubber foot is too slippery for outdoors both as camera support and hiking.

[SamW]

Excellent overview! I wish you would have addressed monopod heads, not just ball heads. Would you use a monopod head? If so, under what circumstances would you use one? Thanks.

[ath]

Great for newbies to understand the usefulness of a monopod

[ericlarson]

I used a monopod with wider lenses when shooting a series of interiors in locations that didn’t allow tripods. With vibration reduction on, I was able to shoot at slower shutter speeds than I could handle held.

[simonmaduxx]

I've been in the press pit of fashion shows for a few years and a debate between a monopod and a tripod has been a long one raging for me. Even when shooting in the street I've always thought of the advantages of a monopod, but then it's limitations and stationary nature kind of conflict with how I shoot. But I still want one but it's not on the list but I still want one. I don't shoot shows anymore so I don't need it for that but I know they are useful.

[gigafishx]

Monopod lacks free motion for sports. For a boat, the flexibility of the monopod would line up with the image stabilization

[jargonfreehelp]

Ah yes, the engine vibration. Big problem when I shoot video on boats. Another nice video Mr Bergman. How's the new R5 II?

[robertwisnewski]

Hey came out with a special battery for the EOS r5 Mark ii. Does this battery work with the EOS R5C and does it open up the higher functions of the camera when in battery mode only, for use?

[fred]

If "mono" means one, why does it take 2 to get it? :)

[lisadaniels]

Thank you, I bought a RRS monopod a long time ago and haven't used it, now I will PLUS I didn't know that you could screw the leg right into the Canon foot, super great tips. TY @lidans66