How many extra stops does a monopod allow?

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I am familiar with the rule of using the the reciprocal of the lens MM for the shutter speed e.g. 1/125 at 125 focal length. And with the use of mirror lockup and a tripod there shutter speed makes no difference, but how many extra stops of speed will a MONOpod give me? I have looked everywhere on the net and can find no answers. Once again you are my only hope for an answer.

-- newbie (mshadow818@msn.com), May 09, 2002

Answers

Just like hand holding, it depends on the technique of the photographer and how steady his hand is. The reciprocal of the lens focal length for the shutter speed is a rough guide. Some folks can beat it by a stop or more. I need double the reciprocal of the lens focal length for a consistantly critically sharp images. However, I can beat the reciprocal of the lens focal length by leaning on something or bracing my rig against a tree or fence, sitting and bracing the camera on my leg, etc. Also, I can get sharper images with heavier cameras (they don't bob around as much as light ones).

Using a Bogan monopod and ballhead, I got about one additional stop of sharp shooting with an EF 300 4L USM. However, it helps composition for certain types of shots and fatigue when holding a heavy rig.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), May 09, 2002.


I'll second Puppy Face on this. I've got good images with a 200/2.8 at 1/90 and 1/60. His comment about reducing fatigue is perhaps more important to me than camera shake though. I have the 234RC swivel head on the top of my monopod. It gives a little bit more height to the pod, and with QR plates on the larger lenses and each body, it makes it very easy to use. The only time I wouldn't use the tri- or monopod would be if I was climbing a tree or ladder.

I have managed sharp images at 1/250 with the 200/2.8 and a 2X converter, handheld in a tree, but I was able to brace myself. (This was a full sunlit shot with Kodachrome 25, and an effective aperture of f5.6.)

-- Geoff Doane (geoff_doane@cbc.ca), May 09, 2002.


Camera shake is the bigger issue for me. And like Geoff, I have taken sharp pictures with the 200mm f2.8 at 1/60 on a monopod. I feel comfortable with one stop slower than the reciprical rule with a monopod, and I'll try two stops if I need it. I frequently use my Bogen monopod with a simple swivel head w/ qr when I hike to take scenics. I use ISO 50 B&W film, and I don't want to carry a tripod, I can shoot at 1/15 with my 50mm.

-- Derrick Morin (dmorin@oasisol.com), May 09, 2002.

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