Apr. 2002
President's
Message
Focus
On...
Photo FAQs
Photo FAQs
Eric Kissa
Q: I am planning to buy a monopod. Which are the most important features to consider?
A: A monopod is a very useful and versatile tool for making sharp images. Before buying a monopod several decisions have to be made. Ideally a monopod should be short when closed but tall and rigid when extended. The monopod should be light to carry but heavy to provide solid support. Obviously, all of these requirements cannot be met and the design of the monopod must involve several trade-offs. Many good monopods are on the market. Some may fit your style of photography better than others.
The first feature to consider is the length of the monopod. Most monopods are sufficiently long for an average person when fully extended (about 53 to 80 inches, or 135 to 205 cm). The length of the closed monopod, from about 11 to 25 inches (28 to 64 cm) is more important. The shortest ones have 5 or 6 sections and are easy to carry but are not very rugged. When the monopod is closed, a lower section must fit into the adjacent upper section. As a consequence, the diameter of the sections decreases sequentially from top to bottom. The lowest of the 5 or 6 sections is much smaller and weaker than the first one and the monopod is top heavy. More sections mean also more locks to open, unless the monopod has some sort of a quick opening mechanism. Some monopods are spring loaded and open automatically by squeezing a grip action handle. Some monopods, like the short and light Adorama Podmatic and the now discontinued Linhof Monomatic have an automatic system for height adjustment.
Monopods having only 3 sections are more rigid but their longer length makes them a less convenient companion than the multisection shorties.
The weight of monopods varies from less than a pound (285 g) to 4 lbs. (1.8 kg). A light monopod is easy to carry but a heavy one is more stable. Carbon fiber monopods, made by Gitzo, Velbon and others, provide rigidity with less weight and a higher price.
A monopod must open quickly to be useful and the design of the leg locks makes a big difference. Lever or wing locks are easier to open and less troublesome than collar locks.
Some monopods have a built-in ball joint, others need a ball head. A small ball head is adequate because minor adjustments are made by tilting the monopod. A quick release system is essential for attaching the camera in a hurry. The Stroboframe Quick Release is light and its spring action instantaneous.
I have two monopods which I like for different reasons. An old monopod made by Mida (MB-494) has 4 sections, a built-in ball joint and is 19î long when closed. The foot of the monopod can be unscrewed and reversed to expose three square legs which can lie flat on the ground and convert the monopod to an ersatz tripod. This is very useful for travel and in areas where tripods are not permitted.
The second monopod, a Bogen Manfrotto Professional 3230, has 3 sections. The minimum length is 27 ì(68 cm), the maximum length is 67.5î (170 cm). The weight, 2.3 lbs (1040 g), is just right. The monopod has three detachable legs hidden in the lowest section.
Unfortunately, the legs cannot lie flat on the ground to steady the monopod. In spite of this limitation, the legs are not entirely useless. The enclosed legs add weight to the bottom end of the monopod and improve the weight distribution. To open the monopod I hold it vertically and release the lower flip lock. The bottom section drops out at once. I close the lower lock and use the upper flip lock to adjust the height of the monopod. The camera attaches itself automatically when it touches the quick release plate. This operation is so fast that I do not see a need for a spring loaded automatic opening mechanism.
It is very practical to have both hands free when carrying a monopod. I replaced therefore the carrying strap of the monopod with a camera strap. Then I looped the original carrying strap through the camera strap and around the monopod. With both ends of the strap attached to the monopod I can carry the monopod conveniently like a rifle.
A monopod with concealed legs is made by Cullman as well. Some monopods by Benbo and Gitzo convert to a hiking stick. The inexpensive Slim Pod made by Slik weighs only 10 oz (284 g). Which monopod is the best depends on the individual needs of the photographer. Some photographers like convenience, others prefer stability.
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