Author: Harry Guinness / Source: How-To Geek
Monopods are one-legged tripods (mono = one; tri = three). They’re nowhere near as stable as tripods, but they do have a few advantages. Sports and wildlife photographers, in particular, love monopods.
The Weight Problem
Camera gear is heavy. A DSLR and lens usually weigh between five and ten pounds.
That might not sound like a lot, but try holding that much weight extended in your hands for an afternoon, and you’ll see what I mean.With long lenses, things get even worse. Some setups with telephoto lenses and professional DSLRs can weigh over 15lbs.
The problem is that camera gear’s weight doesn’t just make it a pain to carry around; it also affects how you shoot. Taking one or two photos with a heavy setup is fine, but if you’re shooting an event like a sports game or waiting for something like a bird to land, you need to have your camera always be up and ready. Unless you’re built like Arnold Schwarzenegger, that’s just not going to happen.
A tripod is the traditional way of supporting a camera. They’re great for locking your camera down, but they take up a good bit of space and reduce your mobility. You aren’t able to react quickly with your camera stuck on a tripod, which is not ideal if you’re standing beside a football field or trying to track a fast-moving animal.
This is where monopods come in. With one leg instead of three, they won’t steady a camera on their own. They can, however, support its weight. While you won’t be shooting any long exposure images, your arms won’t die if you use a long lens for an afternoon.
You…The post What is a Monopod and When Should I Use One? appeared first on FeedBox.