When you read the title of this article, you must have said “neither” to yourself – and I will not blame you! After all, who wants to carry extra weight in the area? The modern image stabilization system allows us to hand over the camera to shutter speed which were once unimaginable. But camera support is not only about overcoming technical boundaries; It is also about our own physical boundaries and nature of our subjects. So I rarely get out in the field without a tripod or monopod.
But whom should you use? In this article, I will go through the professionals and opposition of tripod and monopods for wildlife photography and will give you some ideas that the best for you!
Why a tripod and monopods are so useful
During the first days of my photography workshops, participants often ask, “Liber, would we need a tripod?“My answer is almost always the same -“Yes, absolutely – or at least a monopod!“Here is a list of reasons that I think it is always a good idea that a tripod or monopod is available:
- Even with today’s advanced image stabilization, I think I can continuously shoot with a tripod or monopod at a long -term shutter speed – especially in the rough area or when the fatigue is set.
- With the camera installed on a more stable platform, I can write my shots very accurately, improve photos and reduce the need for the crop later.
- A tripod allows me to pre-set my composition and wait for its subject, such as a bird is landing on a leaf or returning to his nest.
- A tripod lets me leave my camera (Nikon Z9 or Z8) without its physical appearance, using an auto-capture to work. Even it allows to shoot with several cameras simultaneously.
- Both a tripod and a monopod improve my response in time. If I was handing over my camera, I would probably capture my first frame after several seconds (if at all), then it is compared to pre-existing in the expected action.
- A camera on a tripod or monopod continuously increases birds and reduces it by continuously lifting and lifting it to your eye.
- Holding a camera with a heavy lens, I cannot shoot for more than a few minutes without fatigue. Relaxing my hands on a supported camera with a long telephoto lens allows me to be ready for hours.
- Shooting from a portable blind is almost impossible without a stable support.
- Taking photographs near water without proper support is a risky gamble with your expensive gear. You can avoid a brief dip, but will not have your camera.
- Long shutter speeds can help emphasize the motion, while your tripod keeps the main theme sharp – is useful for creative shots.
As an eleventh point, I could add half-joking that I sometimes use my trippai-or more often as an alternative to my monopod-one moving rod (or even a mawt). Whether for additional stability on uneven ground, wading through a river, or clearing a way through stinging netals, a monopod proves to be surprisingly work.
Hopefully, I have created a strong case that some forms of camera support in today’s “stable era” are still highly useful. Now, the question remains – is three legs better than one, or is the same leg enough? Tipi or monopod? Let’s break it.
Benefits of a tripod on a monopod
There are many reasons why a tripod may be better for a monopod:
- This allows very long shutter speed – several seconds or even in minutes – opening a variety of creative options.
- This allows perfectly accurate and fixed composition, which (among other benefits) lets you “pre-frame” your photo and wait for the subject to do something interesting in the right place.
- A tripod guarantees a constant distance between the camera and the subject, until the subject still remains. With a monopod, you run the risk of flowing like a reed in the air, which can not only be blurred, but also for wrong-focusing, especially if your subject is small and close.
- Ideally, the tripod will stand, even if you move your hands to grab the other gear. However, make sure you make sure that you are the tripod super stable before doing so!
- From a tripod, you can use the camera as a camera mesh or control it from a distance through an app.
Benefits of a monopod on a tripod
Not all benefits are in favor of a tripod. Wildlife photography contains many times where a monopod is better:
- One leg is light and more than three compacts.
- This is rapid to indicate the monopod in the right direction and move to different places with it, which can be a difference between success and failure.
- In the rugged area covered with dense vegetation, it is very easy to use a monopod.
- A monopod simplifies the camera in different directions to spin, and (to some extent) tilt the camera to right. This means that you do not need a large gimbal head and may be away with a simple up/down tilt head.
- When used in a group of photographers, it reaches one location, it would be much easier to fit the monopod than a trippai.
- On a canoe or one amount, you will find it easier to compensate for the tilt of the horizon with a monopod with a tripod (even with a gimbal head).
- Monopods can be alternately used as a walking rod.
Among all the above, the most important advantage of monopod is speed – the ability to repos your camera in a moment. In wildlife photography, where success depends on capturing the fleeting moments, it can be a game-winger. Sometimes carrying your camera to a few inches can cause all differences, and it is not always a hurry with a tripod.
Tipi vs. monopod: decision
So which one is better? I will not give you a certain answer – because there is not one. It all depends on specific conditions and shooting conditions. However, when a photography trip is faced with packing and the choice between the two, I almost always take my trippai. Its versatility wins.
The way you should buy a tripod, remember that the best tipi is what you really take with you. A rock-solid but heavy tripod is left at home or in a hotel room. Even a little “underpower” trippai can perform miracles in wildlife photography with little care and caution.
What do I mean carefully? For example, when shooting in deep water or on large rocks, I avoid expanding the thinning legs. I am sure anyone, including himself, kicks a stuffed tripod by mistake. I do not go away from a completely filled trippai, just in the case.
For materials, I recommend excessive carbon fiber legs. Compared to aluminum tripod of the same weight, they support heavy loads. In other words, for equal stability and load capacity, the carbon fiber trippai is quite light. However, they can be more delicate and require more careful handling. Just behave it like a tripod, not an ax of ice.
If you often find yourself torn between a tripod and a monopod, but want to pack only one, then there is a hybrid solution – convertible tripod. These 2 -in -1 models allow you to open a leg and use it as a monopod. However, keep in mind that everything is a tradeoff, and 2 -in -1 tripods can be slightly heavy or slightly less stable than a dedicated tripod.
In any case, finding the right support for your camera is like taking the right shoes. After all, you realize that there is no all-in-one solution. You won’t wear hiking shoes for a formal event – not because you could not do physically, but because there are better options. The same goes to choose between a tripod and a monopod. Most wildlife photographers who know that they will be owned by both a tripod and monopod, and they will choose to be taken on the basis of the situation.
Personally, my gear cabinet has a light carbon fiber trip tripi, a strong carbon fiber trippai, an aluminum monopod and a 2 -in -1 variable trippai. Whom should I use the most? By a wide gap, the first. But your priorities may be completely different. I would love to hear about them in the comment below!
