All about monopods for cameras

A monopod is a type of tripod equipment. It differs from a conventional tripod by the presence of only one support leg instead of the usual three. The use of this accessory is recommended for landscape photography, photography in low light.

A monopod for a camera is also called a selfie stick, it performs a stabilizing function, helps to reduce the load on the hands. Thanks to it, lens shake is eliminated - this is a good alternative to the classic tripod. If you have a monopod for the camera, you can capture objects in motion, take panoramic shooting.

The use of a monopod is especially important when photographing objects changing their position in space. It is a good helper in reportage shooting of active events, dynamic scenes. In such cases, it becomes necessary to quickly change angles, change the position of the camera.

In such situations, it is inconvenient to use a tripod due to its cumbersomeness, which limits the photographer's mobility. The monopod provides maximum mobility when changing angles, with its presence the hands are less tired. The use of this accessory is recommended for outdoor shooting, it is quite compact and weighs a little, so it is convenient to transport it. On walks around the city and during excursions into nature, it is uncomfortable to carry a tripod with you - a monopod comes to the rescue.

Convenience of its operation is provided due to the complete set with a rotating head. It can be ball, video and panoramic. The ball is equipped with a mechanism that allows you to change the viewing angle when tilting to the right and left. Video capture ensures smooth shooting, the focus of a camera with such a head cannot shift by itself. There is no option to switch the camera to portrait mode. Panoramic is intended for capturing panoramas, obtaining a full-fledged picture by combining individual frames. There are also 3D heads that allow you to change the position of the camera by placing it at a certain angle.

Regardless of the type, the overwhelming majority of monopods are equipped with a removable threaded platform, thanks to which the camera is attached to the head. The design is based on a folding telescopic tube, consisting of several sections. To fix them, threaded clamps or clips are used.

Monopods have various options for mounting the camera, allowing you to remove and install equipment in a matter of seconds. This can be a standard threaded screw or a quick release plate.

The complete set with soft anti-slip pads guarantees reliable fixation of the accessory in the hand of the person who is taking pictures and protects against frostbite if it is too cold outside where the shooting is taking place. To protect against accidental dropping of the camera during operation, a wrist strap is provided.

There are several varieties of monopods on sale, they differ in size and cost.Equipment from this series differs in the type of heads. Clips and clips are available to choose from. The type of retainer is selected based on personal preference. Clips, for example, are quicker to fold and unfold than threaded clamps.

Good monopods are offered by Nikon and Canon.

1. Manfrotto MVM500A aluminum monopod has 4 sections and 1 support, designed for loads up to 5 kg.
2. Yunteng 288 VCT-288 is a budget model made of aluminum. She also has 3 sections. This device is less durable and is designed for a weight of no more than 3 kg.
3. The Velbon EL Pod 54 is a carbon fiber monopod capable of supporting up to 4 kg. The disadvantage of this model is the missing head and platform for stationary mounting in the complete set. Plus - ease.

When choosing a selfie stick for cameras, focus on several parameters. It is important to select an option that is suitable for the ultimate workload. For example, for shooting with a high-quality DSLR camera is suitable model Manfrotto MVMXPRO500... If the plans include frequent field shooting, the key parameters of choice are the mass of the monopod and the size in assembled form. In this case, you should choose a lightweight and compact Manfrotto MMCOMPACTADV-BK device.

Based on the working conditions, you need to decide whether the head is necessary and what it should be. The monopod design includes several segments that determine the length of the device.

The more sections, the more compact the assembled accessory will be. But an excessive amount of them will negatively affect the strength of the monopod and its stability. It is recommended to choose devices consisting of 4-5 sections.

It does not hurt to take into account the methods of fixing the position. The most popular modifications are with latches. Collet clamps are one of the safest methods, but they are not very convenient because they require screwing and unscrewing. The latches are more comfortable to use, especially with screws. For flat surfaces, it is worth choosing monopods with a rubberized foot, and for soft areas with a spike protection. It is optimal that the support is made of soft plastic, it is more resistant to temperature changes compared to hard.

Monopods have a simple design, so they are easy to use, special knowledge and skills are not required for this. You won't even need an instruction manual; it takes a few minutes to prepare the accessory for shooting. Most models are equipped with a retractable iron tip, usually hidden in the foot. The presence of this spike facilitates installation on wobbly and sliding surfaces. You need to remember about this element and promptly hide it back into the sole, otherwise you can damage the floor in the room. A good monopod makes the work of photographers easier and more comfortable.

Why do you need a monopod, see below.