In which situations would you use a monopod ( as opposed to a tripod )?

Question

In which situations would you use a monopod ( as opposed to a tripod )?

Answer 1

A monopod is the old equivalent of an image stabilizer. It helps to get sharper photos at slower shutter speeds than you would normally get handheld. However you are only talking fractions of a second and not into seconds for which a tripod is necessary.  

Answer 2

When you want to take photos of the sky or the ground?

Answer 3

Action photos where you need to change the angle of the camera quickly or reposition frequently. Then a monopod will steady the camera without needing time to base out a tripod.

Answer 4

All the above answers are ok but quite a few photographers I know when using a medium format camera have a monopod permanently attached to support the weight of the camera when shooting on location. This helps them finish a long day's shoot with arms the same length as when they started. A monopod is especially useful for really solid gear like the Pentax 6x7. Great camera, knockout quality, weighs about as much as a Buick.

Answer 5

Usually in a crowd or in a situation where you don't have the time or space to use a tripod.

Answer 6

The idea of a monopod is for use in situations where some stability is required, e.g. taking wildlife pictures in low light where a long exposure may be required, but the nature of the subject, animals means stopping to un-strap and set up a tripod would mean missing the picture. A monopod is easier to carry and can fairly easily be carried attached to the camera.  

Answer 7

they are handy if you want to take quick pictures when using a zoom lens. It holds the camera steady, but is easy to move about.

Answer 8

For sports when using long heavy zooms, the lens mounts on the monopod.

http://photography.suite101.com/article....  

Answer 9

I use a monopod on the lens itself to support the weight and stabilize a longer, heavier lens. Upon rare occasions I have used my monopod with a camera attached on a timer to lift it above a crowd to grab a shot.