If you learn the title of this text, you might need mentioned to your self “neither” – and I wouldn’t blame you! In spite of everything, who desires to hold further weight within the discipline? Fashionable picture stabilization methods permit us to handhold the digicam at shutter speeds that have been as soon as unthinkable. However digicam help isn’t nearly overcoming technical limitations; it’s additionally about our personal bodily limitations and the very nature of our topics. That’s why I not often head out into the sphere with out a tripod or monopod.
However which one must you use? On this article, I’ll undergo the professionals and cons of tripods and monopods for wildlife images and provide you with some concepts as to which one is greatest for you!
Why a Tripod and Monopod Are So Helpful
Throughout the first days of my images workshops, members typically ask, “Libor, will we’d like a tripod?” My reply is nearly all the time the identical – “Sure, completely – or at the least a monopod!” Right here’s an inventory of the reason why I believe it’s all the time a good suggestion to have a tripod or monopod out there:
- Even with as we speak’s superior picture stabilization, I discover that I can constantly shoot at longer shutter speeds with a tripod or monopod – particularly in tough terrain or when fatigue units in.
- With the digicam mounted on a extra secure platform, I can compose my photographs rather more exactly, enhancing the images and minimizing the necessity for cropping later.
- A tripod permits me to pre-set my composition and anticipate my topic to behave, reminiscent of a chicken touchdown on a perch or returning to its nest.
- A tripod lets me depart my digicam (Nikon Z9 or Z8) in place with out my bodily presence, utilizing auto-capture to do the work. This even permits for capturing with a number of cameras concurrently.
- Each a tripod and a monopod considerably enhance my response time. If I have been handholding my digicam, I’d possible seize my first body a number of seconds later (if in any respect) in comparison with having it pre-aimed on the anticipated motion.
- A digicam on a tripod or monopod disturbs birds far lower than continually elevating and reducing it to your eye.
- Holding a digicam with a heavy lens, I can’t shoot for greater than a few minutes with out fatigue. Resting my palms on a supported digicam with a protracted telephoto lens permits me to remain prepared for hours.
- Taking pictures from a transportable blind is almost unattainable with out a secure help.
- Photographing close to water with out correct help is a dangerous gamble along with your costly gear. You would possibly survive a quick dip, however your digicam gained’t.
- Lengthy shutter speeds may also help emphasize movement blur, whereas your tripod retains the primary topic sharp – helpful for inventive photographs.
As an eleventh level, I might half-jokingly add that I typically use my tripod – or extra typically my monopod – as an alternative to a strolling stick (or perhaps a machete). Whether or not for further stability on uneven floor, wading by way of a river, or clearing a path by way of stinging nettles, a monopod proves surprisingly useful.
Hopefully, I’ve made a powerful sufficient case that some type of digicam help continues to be extremely helpful in as we speak’s “stabilized period.” Now, the query stays – are three legs higher than one, or is a single leg adequate? Tripod or monopod? Let’s break it down.
Benefits of a Tripod over a Monopod
There are a selection of the reason why a tripod could be preferable to a monopod:
- It permits for much longer shutter speeds – a number of seconds and even minutes lengthy – opening up quite a lot of inventive choices.
- It permits completely exact and stuck composition, which (amongst different advantages) enables you to “pre-frame” your photograph and anticipate the topic to do one thing fascinating within the excellent spot.
- A tripod ensures a continuing distance between the digicam and the topic, so long as the topic stays nonetheless. With a monopod, you run the chance of swaying like a reed within the wind, which may lead not solely to movement blur but in addition to mis-focusing, particularly in case your topic is small and shut.
- Ideally, the tripod will stay standing even for those who take your palms off it to seize different gear. Although you higher be certain the tripod is tremendous secure earlier than you achieve this!
- From a tripod, you need to use the digicam as a digicam entice or to manage it remotely by way of an app.
Benefits of a Monopod over a Tripod
Not all the advantages are in a tripod’s favor. There are a lot of occasions in wildlife images the place a monopod is preferable:
- One leg is lighter and extra compact than three.
- It’s quicker to level the monopod in the proper course and transfer to totally different spots with it, which could be the distinction between success and failure.
- In rugged terrain coated with dense vegetation, utilizing a monopod is way simpler.
- A monopod makes it easy to spin the digicam in numerous instructions side-to-side, and (to some extent) tilt the digicam from left to proper. Which means you don’t want an enormous gimbal head and might get away with a easy up/down tilt head.
- When utilized in a gaggle of photographers crammed into one spot, it will likely be a lot simpler to suit a monopod than a tripod.
- On a canoe or a zodiac, you’ll discover it simpler to compensate for the lean of the horizon with a monopod than with a tripod (even with a gimbal head).
- The monopod can alternatively be used as a strolling stick.
Of all of the above, the monopod’s most necessary benefit is pace – the flexibility to reposition your digicam straight away. In wildlife images, the place success will depend on capturing fleeting moments, this could be a game-changer. Generally shifting your digicam just some inches could make all of the distinction, and that’s not all the time fast with a tripod.
Tripod vs Monopod: Verdict
So, which is best? I gained’t provide you with a definitive reply – as a result of there isn’t one. All of it will depend on the particular situations and capturing state of affairs. Nevertheless, when packing for a images journey and confronted with the selection between the 2, I virtually all the time take my tripod. Its versatility wins out.
As for which tripod you can purchase, keep in mind that the most effective tripod is the one you really carry with you. A rock-solid however heavy tripod left at dwelling or in a resort room is ineffective. Even a barely “underpowered” tripod can do wonders in wildlife images with just a little care and warning.
What do I imply by warning? For instance, when capturing in deep water or on giant rocks, I keep away from extending the thinnest leg sections. I be certain nobody, together with myself, unintentionally kicks a loaded tripod. I don’t stroll away from a completely loaded tripod, simply in case.
As for supplies, I extremely suggest carbon fiber legs. In comparison with aluminum tripods of the identical weight, they help heavier hundreds. In different phrases, for a similar stability and cargo capability, carbon fiber tripods are considerably lighter. Nevertheless, they are often extra fragile and require extra cautious dealing with. Simply deal with it like a tripod, not an ice axe.
Should you typically end up torn between a tripod and a monopod however solely wish to pack one, there’s a hybrid answer – the convertible tripod. These 2-in-1 fashions mean you can unscrew one leg and use it as a monopod. Nevertheless, take into account that the whole lot is a tradeoff, and 2-in-1 tripods could also be just a little heavier or rather less secure than a devoted tripod.
In any case, discovering the proper help on your digicam is loads like choosing the right footwear. Ultimately, you notice that there’s no true all-in-one answer. You wouldn’t put on mountaineering boots to a proper occasion – not since you bodily couldn’t, however as a result of there are higher choices. The identical goes for selecting between a tripod and a monopod. Most wildlife photographers I do know will personal each a tripod and monopod, they usually’ll choose which one to hold relying on the state of affairs.
Personally, my gear cupboard holds a light-weight carbon fiber journey tripod, a sturdy carbon fiber tripod, an aluminum monopod, and a 2-in-1 convertible tripod. Which one do I take advantage of probably the most? By a large margin, the primary one. However your preferences may be fully totally different. I’d love to listen to about them within the feedback beneath!