Why You Should NEVER Buy a Monopod 

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I bought three monopods a while back. Luckily they were all attached to each other on one end.

Monopods are not for spontaneous pointing at random locations while shooting wildlife. It's a wrong application. They are useful for people who aim their cameras at known locations for extended periods of time but need minor movement flexibility, like sports photographers in some disciplines. Blaming the monopod in your case is like blaming a bicycle when you are trying to climb stairs.

I use a monopod, I use it a lot. Tragically, mine hasn't fallen apart, so maybe I'm missing out on something. But then again, mine cost more than $4

Forgot my monopod at the park next to a nice branch I found when hiking. When I realized I forgot the monopod and went back 5 hours later, the monopod was there but the stick was gone.

You have the best squirrel footage on RU-vid. Totally worth it.

they are great for filming at events, when you can't bring a tripod (or have to film over crowds)....trying to hold a camera above your head for more than 10 minutes gets very tiring fast

Yeah, first mistake you made was using a monopod with a ballhead. Tilting head all the way.

Seriously, your comedic timing is perfect. This video made me bust out laughing several times. And my wife said I’m emotional dead, too bad she’s sleeping and couldn’t see me emotionally respond to your video. Great job.

I use a mono pod occasionally, don't mind it in the right setting. Seems ridiculous but try a piece of cord. Attach to camera base long enough to reach the floor, when at correct height put your foot on it and pull taught. It makes it nice and stable and at virtually no cost.🙂

This is classic! Almost like an old-time infomercial warning against the Monopod. I haven't laughed this hard in a while.😄 The fact that you included an affiliate link to it makes it 1000% better.

Remember what I said about "don't get cheap with accessories"? I don't use my monopod anymore either, but at least it would never just fall apart like that 😆

Monopods are designed to prevent your arms from getting tired. They are not designed to enable spontaneous compositions.

As a sports photographer, I use monopods all the time as some of the lenses are too huge and heavy to handhold. Buy a dedicated monopod, not some sort of tripod-converts-to-monopod. The adjustable ball head on the top sucks - get one without that "feature". By the way, your videos are quite amusing, I keep coming back for more.

"good thing i paid $3,000 for this squirrel footage" i laughed out loud. this is me.

Dual pods are the future, much more stable. People have 2 legs, right?

I was not expecting those shots at DP Review 😩🤣 absolutely cackled at that bit

First time commenter here. If I'm seated and there is a button to push, and I don't feel like getting up, I use my monopod. If there is a switch to flip and I'm seated, I use my monopod. If I want to take photos, I use my.... nope.

Use mine a lot. Found it mostly beneficial and have improved photos due to better stability. We'll worth the effort of carrying it. One tip though, buy a good one. I did and oddly enough it doesn't fall apart. Each to his own .

🤣😂 Great video, I use my monopod every weekend along so with my tripod for second camera. Honestly it’s all about using the right tool for the right job. Sometimes your hands 🙌🏽 will be that tool.

Yep, monopods are for shooting sports with big lenses, I am either handheld, or on a tripod for wildlife/birding.

"the footage wasn't that stable" proceeds to show the most stable raccoon footage ever taken

Respectfully, I have had the exact opposite experience, when I use the monopod for Macrophotography. For any Macro work that is greater than 1:1 magnification, you can't hand hold and get consistently good shots. A tripod isn't a great solution in the field, due to its weight and difficulty setting up. Monopods are quick to get into position, quick to adjust to moving insects/wildlife, and very light. It's a game changer for anyone who enjoys macro.

I bought a monopod 3 years ago and look what’s happened to the world since then. My fault, sorry. I wish mine had fallen apart.

"You should try a bridge cam" LMAO!!!!

I use the monopod to swing and smack oncoming tourists when I am taking pictures of Niagara falls.

I blocked a few hockey pucks, and a few extraterrestrial laser beams with my monopod up there in Canada. Very useful.

Funny like always but gotta disagree on this. When I shoot events or street parades, this a great way to get stills and pans of the people passing by without getting too tired due to holding the camera + It's lightweight and easier to carry around. Another advantage is when you have to film something but you have people or an obstacle infront, just lift it a little and you're set :) I get your point but I wouldn't use it for birds and wildlife shots anyway. Too much action and with most of the shots you have to tilt and It's a little awkward with the monopod. Big L today indeed but love your vids. Peace

Monopods are definitely one of those things that look a lot better on paper most of the time than in practice. I got this hiking pole once that had a tripod mount built in that was neither a good hiking pole or monopod. I thought it would be great to carry while photographing in rough terrain. It was telescoping so it folded up. The problem was that it tended fold itself up at the wrong time when it was in use. The first time I used the tripod mount on it, it broken off within a few minutes.

FFS i literally just spat my English tea out of my gob!😂

Monopods are really good for heavier lenses if you get the right one. I use a 500mm f4 VR on a few different bodies and all that on a iFootage Cobra 2 with a Wimberly MH-100 gimbaling head. It works really well especially with the ball head on the tripod foot. When I tighten that ball head down it's sturdy enough to leave 10lbs of camera at eye level in a moderate wind. I wouldn't walk away from it for too long but it certainly holds it. The head also rotates the camera off to the side, so if you put it over your shoulder it is side to side rather than front to back like you showed here. But the main thing is that combo is nowhere near big enough to justify using a monopod, just hand hold it like a man. :P I handhold a 300mm 2.8 with a D3 no problem for hours at a time, and I don't even have a left hand, so if I can do it you certainly could, and that's a heavier kit than what you've got there by several pounds.

In order for a monopod to work you need one that’s stronger than a Starbucks paper straw. 2. You need a gimbal head on top of it. 3 it needs to be eye level or taller. Check out the Promediagear Tomahawk head, that’s what you need.

I use them for heavy lens that have their own mounts. Mostly it’s like a long handle. But occasionally it’s used as a support or will lean it on a tree or support. But most of the time it’s not extended. Probably I could by some extended handle.

I bought a mono pod for hiking and returned it after a week. Bought an extremely lightweight tripod instead which I kept.

I sometimes use monopods with binoculars, and a ball head with a monopod is just a pain in the arse. I use till heads. Or crew the binocular tripod adapter directly on the monopod.

I use a monopod for recording long videos when I am in the middle of a crowd with no space for a tripod. At times I also have to move slightly whilst in the middle of recording, so moving a monopod is far easier than trying to move a tripod. You need to match the accessory for what you are recording, and even though a monopod is not perfect, it is better than handheld or a tripod in my situations.

That one looks like garbo, but the one I have works fine, the feet hold it well as long as I dont extend it up too far.

This had to be the Wish app edition. Monopods are pretty handy. I still have mine that I used to mimic drone and jib shots

There's a technique where you put the ball head to the side, like a gimbal and rotate your lens collar to make it landscape. You then put your other hand on the end of the lens hood to hold it steady. You get rid of that pesky long range motion blur on 600mm+ lenses. But yeah, a real pain to trek around with it. Would only get it out if I was intending on standing still for a while and the action wasn't to high overhead.

Haha, very good. I would never use a monopod for nature/wildlife stuff. I use a monopod all the time to shoot sports. I couldn't lift/aim a long lens for 3+ hours without one. On the other hand, I didn't buy a POS monopod either, so there is that...

But it extends even further than Ulanzi tripod you use for vlogging! It’s an ultimate vlogging setup + wildlife monopod! All in one. Try it!

I'm thinking of buying a monopod. When I bought my tripod, I didn't know that monopod exist. Then I went on several shooting session in a bush. I found out that sometimes it's not easy to get a steady shot with my hand alone, and setting up a tripod take time, especially if I want to take photo of animals and insects that's often move around. So I took my tripod and extended just one leg and turn into a makeshift monopod. After doing it for sometimes, I finally made aware of the existence of monopod.

For me, a good monopod with a Wimberley MH-100 MonoGimbal Head works well for 2 related use cases: 1. When I know where the subject will be and need to wait a bit before taking the pic or video. Without a monopod, my arms would get very tired and shake would increase. This is especially true when the camera is pointing upwards (e.g. on a nest in a tall tree). 2. Related to the prior point - When I have enough time to control lining up the subject in the lens FOV without feeling rushed (e.g. birding on mudflats or in a swamp). I agree fully for birding walks (e.g. in forests) where the subjects require fast reflex reactions at unpredictable angles that monopod or tripod setups can become very unwieldly and frustrating very quickly. I tend to handhold the camera and rely on IS most of the time with a monopod available (but initially disconnected from the camera) if the circumstances dictate. The monopod can be easily carried in a canvas loop on a backpack or belt.

I laughed and I laughed again… thank you for this!

As a videographer, it serves a similar purpose as a glidecam to me, providing smoother shots, but is really compact and easy to move through crowds.

Watching you morph into a photographer is fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I can sense the time is near for you to transition to film as the final stage in your metamorphosis nears completion and you realize your true self as the singularity engulfs you.

I use a Manfrotto mono coupled with a Wimberly gimbal and I love it. Very transportable, easy to track and swivel, a great anchor to a long prime for hiking with your rig (over the shoulder is so comfy), and gives enough stabilization for an extra two to three stops. Of course, buy cheap shit gear get cheap shit results.

The exact same thing happened to my K&F Concept tripod. They use cheap super glue or epoxy to hold the legs.

Monopods always seemed like something useful. I have several and I can't recall ever using any of them even once. Tripods are a lot more useful. The Gitzos I bought in the 70's still work fine.

I agree. Used a monopod at a wedding once, huge mistake. That lasted about five minutes. Handholding is the way to go unless you're on the sideline of a sports field and never intend on moving.

You should look up whistling wings photography and his video on the Wimberley monogimbal head. He uses it in conjunction with a monopod and a harness. Its pretty genius for wildlife, I enjoy your videos!

Haha. That’s definitely the worst part of the K&F tripod I have. I understand that it’ll come apart eventually, then I’ll fix it with better glue 🤦🏼‍♂️😆

The Jordan from DP review joke was so funny. Almost fell of my chair.

I got a monopod years ago. Used it once, returned it. Your experience with them was mine.

If you hike and use mono pod as a hiking stick then is fine to but one.

Just picked up my monopod. Not a shitpod. Still cheep. but it do look maby 1000% more steady and well build. What's it's for ? -portræts-night shots-and actioncam maybe. Just for some steady shoots. i see were it comes handy. Maybe never. but lol

Fixed, the jitters on my IBIS so I didnt feel tempted to change camera systems. XT 4 got a new lease of life in my old man hands

Lucky you grabbed that portion and not the bottom or that lens would be dead

i only use when in grand stand shoot softball baseball or soccer when it windy. other then that i use tripod if need. if shooting wildlife hand hold if can

The biggest thing with a monopod is muscle memory that has to be developed before you are going to be proficient at using a monopod. A monopod shines at video photography where it reduces camera shake though it is going to take days and weeks of practice before it really becomes a viable proposition. There is another invaluable function of a monopod and that is to elevate the camera above the heads of a crowd in order to get a clear view of the subject which is invaluable in the case of journalism. The camera has to be fitted on a monopod at the centre of balance or it will be very difficult to use and this makes monopods highly impractical for cameras with long telephoto lenses.

I just bought a nikon 300mm 2.8 Al from the 80s, it's almost too heavy to lift with my 4/3 stuck on the end for 600mm! Think I'll try a helium balloon!

I am trying out light weight photo gear for long hikes, or mountain bike rides into the mountains. I would love to have the heavy-duty tripod with every shot, but it's just not that feasible when carrying on a mountain bike. The first day with the mono pod, I didn't find any wildlife, but practiced focused shots at one-half-mile distance, and did manage to get some sharp images. If you are going to shoot 1 mile in the distance, and you have the Nikon P1000, 3000mm lens, and you can't take heavy gear, what else are you going to do to get a more stable shot?

You should have bought a Benro monopod that detaches from the tripod(Vistek or Downtown Camera). Alumininum or carbon fibre. About the same price and more solidly built(especially the aluminum one) than that POS you got from Amazon. But you're right, I wouldn't use it on my hikes either. And my Sigma 150-600 comes with a strap that attaches directly to the lens which makes it comfortable to carry around with my... uh... S5. Please don't hate on me too much for being a Pany man. And I take more photos than video. Lol

This has to be one of your best videos!!

I think I had three heart attacks watching your Fuji setup dangling from your broken monopod...

Your videos are the best. Things hardly make me laugh, i havent laughed this hard in years 🤣. Thank you

I use mine to fill up the umbrella pot.

Suggestion, 1) if you want a mono pod buy a mono pod not a tripod/mono pod combo (junk) . 2) NEVER use a ball head on the mono pod, tilt is the way to go. I use a 3 Legged Thing Trent, now that's a monopod. But I'm old not a young stud like you. Camera and long lens gets heavy for me after a couple of hrs.

So my take away from this is that you love monopods? 😆 They are good when you are sitting in one place or need to handhold a heavy lens for an extended period.

4:45 social distancing monopod

You need the Wimberley MH-100 head instead of a ball head.

An old ski pole would have been better than that.

The mono ends up propped in the corner next to the front door, then the tripod joins it, and then they both end up in the shed at the bottom of the garden, and you go back to doing what works, hands arms tucked in, steady

This is hilarious! I about bought the amazon special monopod a little earlier today for shooting downtowns and such... I didn't make the order now I see this Lmao

Nope, I've just never got monopods either. I've had one (a cheap one) for about 15 years, and I've barely used it, and certainly never taken it out of the house. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one!

First I thought that this is a supercheap monopod, but it is part of a tripod that costs nearly 150 EUR. How much money do you have to spend to have at least decent quality you can rely on?

Can you make this like a 90s infomercial in black and white next time

Gonna go out and buy two now. Take that.

Kasey at least you have to admit that the monopod is much better than a rotting wooden stick.

"You should try a hairnet" lolol

My K&F tripod has come apart in a similar fashion. The head popped off the shaft. It is something I hope I never have to say again.

That is the hardest I have laughed in a good while sir, Thank you!

Pfff Monopods are so 2019. I use a pogo stick. It absorbs shock and helps with stabilization

I have this exact tripod with this exact problem! - I had to glue it back in.

Did he turn of IBIS when trying to get the still footage? IBIS doesn't always work well when you're using a tripod.

Nooo the monopod rebuttal 🥹

Miss your videos man, and the alien music

Kelsey “All I want is a perfect camera too”. But jokes apart, I love your video. One quick question though, how do you make these videos look like 4K DCI, given A7S3 doesnt have that mode.

I use mine as an extra long selfie stick, lol.

I got Moman carbon fiber monopod from Ebay and am lowkey pissed I didn't see this video sooner... I haven't even used it to take a photo and it ALREADY broke. Well, not the metal but some cheap plastic pieces that literally can't stay on. I tried taping them but with or without tape the bottom part literally won't fit into the bigger top part. Now I have to go through the hassle of returning it and looking for a tripod. Sigh.

Why do you film in LOG and do not grade it?

Mr. Undone uses a monopod too. Maybe Casey should try the monopod Gerald recommends.

Mine did this too… buy nice or buy twice haha

Need a gimbal on it

Takes the worst monopod ever made and uses as a reference. Brilliant! Get a Gitzo monopod that fits your height. Or wait for the Benro MSD46C SupaDupa Monopod that's good for 6ft+. Attach the Wimberley MH-100 MonoGimbal Head (amazing piece of kit) and remove the three legged thing at the base of your tripod. Use a Peak Design wrist strap as a safety between the mono head and camera incase you want to use it as a hammer. Then do a real review and make affiliate coin whilst preserving your conscience.

I use a monopod fairly regularly on photo shoots when I have an assistant or when I'm the lighting assistant at events and need to be easily mobile. Works fabulously. Don't use it to take pictures, though.

Who needs a monopod ? There’s monopods everywhere in the wild. They’re called BRANCHES.

Carrying your camera by the grip alone with large lenses can damage your camera mount over time. I myself still find myself doing it, so I made a sorta hack. Regarding monopods, I agree, but did you learn nothing from Marcus Pix? The latch lock kind are far superior, particularly for this purpose as you can flip and lock to extend much quicker. In general they are stronger too.. but seriously that K&H crap is laughably terrible. I am sure it is not intended for long lenses, but regardless, anyone damaging gear as a result of that shit has a valid lawsuit IMHO.

🤣 completely agree with your anti monopod stance. I've been anti monopod for decades. Glad you've seen the true way. 😉

Your humor is under-rated