A leg to stand on

20 Aug 2005

In general photography, one of the most effective things you can do to improve your photographs is to use a tripod. They help prevent camera shake, making your shots sharper and allow you to use smaller aperatures for greater depth of field and lower ISO settings for better image quality.

In fact, I have heard it said that the difference between professional photographers and amateur photographers, is that the pro will always use a tripod and the amateur never will.

I heartily agree with this sentiment. However, there are several reasons why you almost never see a motorsport photographer with a tripod. One, is that it is very difficult to follow a fast moving object with your camera mounted on a tripod. Another is that there often just isn't enough space for one and also you need to be able to move quickly, something a tripod doesn't allow.

Thankfully there is an alternative, the monopod. Looking like a single leg of a tripod, a monopod is a much simpler affair yet gives you most of the benefits of a tripod while at the same time being lighter and more compact. If you are using a long lens, say 300mm or longer, a monopod is an essential piece of kit.

There are lots of makes and models on the market. From the very simplest that have nothing more than a standard mount on top that screws directly into your camera's base, to ultra light carbon fibre models with super smooth ball heads. Some models have wrist straps and moulded foam grips so they can double as walking sticks.

Generally you get what you pay for, but even the cheapest models will help to sharpen up your telephoto shots. If you're prepared to spend not a lot more then Manfrotto and Gitzo monopods come highly recommended.

Make sure the model you choose extends high enough so that you don't have to stoop down to see through the viewfinder. Remember that if you decide to go for a simple screw head, you're going to be limited to panning type movements. If you want more flexibility, opt for a ball head. Monopods often come with a basic carry bag, but check the size the monopod folds down to if you are hoping to fit it in a particular camera bag.

If you're looking to equip yourself with a new monopod please check out the monopod links on this page.

Happy shooting!

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