Does a monopod generally provide more stabilty than a tabletop tripod placed on one's chest? Which would be more easily carried?

-- Jack Belen (jbelen@aol.com), April 14, 2002

Answers

"placed on one's chest?? How stable is a chest? The monopod can often be braced against chairs, fence posts, etc., to achieve a high degree of stability. (Driven into the sand or soft earth works, too.) I often carry a monopod, which can also be extended to walking stick length when hiking, or entering venues that prohibit tripods. ;+) Monopods generally allow a couple of extra shutter speeds beyond hand held. I've had a few tabletop tripods, too, but they never seemed to work into the kit, as has the monopod.

-- Phil Stiles (Stiles@metrocast.net), April 14, 2002.

In my experience, my monopod (Bogen 3249) is more stable but my tabletop tripods are smaller & easier to carry (my cheapo plastic Ultrapod & Ultrapod II much more so than my Leica table tripod + "large" ballhead). But then again, I've never really taken to the "table tripod on the chest" technique--I find it easier to simply lock my elbows close to my body to accomplish the same thing. With proper camera handling techniques, some borrowed from using firearms, you should be able to handhold down to 1/8 of a second.

-- Chris Chen (Wash., DC) (furcafe@NOSPAMcris.com), April 14, 2002.

Good question Jack...

Chris writes: I've never really taken to the "table tripod on the chest" technique--I find it easier to simply lock my elbows close to my body to accomplish the same thing

I have to say "ditto" to this and have always done the same with very good result. However it is only my impression that this is true as I have never actually tried a tabletop braced against my chest to confirm it. I'd be curious if anybody has done an actual comparative test...

Cheers,

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), April 14, 2002.

I have a Bogen 3245 "automatic" monopod. I removed the crutch tip from the bottom and had a brass spigot put in the bottom so that the Bogen table top tripod will screw into it. That makes the monopod even more stable, but without adding much weight to it. I sent a photo of this arrangement to Bogen several years ago, but they never adopted it. It is a real easy conversion. It is handy, especially when you are using ISO 25 film.

-- Frank Horn (owlhoot45@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002.

From least steady to most steady: 1-no tripod at all 2-table top against chest 3-monopod 4-table top pressed against wall or other solid support 5-tripod standing on solid ground or object

Tabletop is easiest to carry, followed by monopod.

There are different tripods for different needs. I have three full size ones (all Gitzo's), one monopod and two different size table top ones to suit every variation...

Ilkka

-- Ilkka (ikuu65@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002.

I have not found a tabletop tripod braced against my chest gives any advantage. However I do use a table tripod extensively as well as a monopod on occasion. They have different uses:

The table tripod can be braced against walls, trees, lightposts, doorjambs, automobiles (best not to do this on someone else's parked car or risk a punch in the nose)...basically any vertical or horizontal surface at hand. It fits in a vest pocket or camera bag and so it is ideal for photography on foot.

A monopod is more suited to action photography, with long lenses, and where no solid objects are present on which to brace the table tripod. Used correctly (the monopod should be placed about 2-3ft in front of you, angled backward; stand with your legs spread and lean your weight into the monopod, so that your 2 legs + monopod resemble and act like a tripod. Holding the monopod perpendicular to the ground it is at its least benefit)it is very effective. Personally I prefer to use a tripod with only one leg extended as a monopod, and if time permits I can extend the other 2 legs.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 14, 2002.

TTT against my chest is better for general photography than a monopod in my experience. You can make a chest shot even better by leaning your body against a wall or other support, just as you can a monopod. But monopods are very useful at times too, for tele action shots or low angle shots (for example of kids) when chest-TT ergonomics are not good. Monopods are also useful for vertical shots in a portrait session.

I always carry the TTT as it does everything well and is small - but I do use a monopod too when I know it will be easier. When I am travelling with the Leica I don't take a monopod.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), April 15, 2002.