Monopod for birds
Jayne Lumley
Q I like to stay mobile rather than sit and wait in one place. Is a monopod any help with the weight of my long lens, as opposed to a heavy and awkward tripod?
ABeing mobile with a long lens and a tripod and head that’s adequate for supporting a camera and telephoto isn’t exactly easy, but some kind of support is often necessary. Being honest, I have to say that a solid tripod with some kind of gimbal head that allows you flexibility of movement of the camera/lens combination is generally going to give you the best results. But I totally accept that this isn’t particularly mobile.
A monopod is a lighter option, and will give you a rest from handholding a heavy telephoto lens and provide some of that additional stability you need. Whether you choose to use it with or without a head on it is up to you. If you use it without, then tilting it up to follow a bird in flight is a bit of an issue, but you can of course just release the lens from the monopod for this type of action. If mobility without a heavy tripod is the most important thing to you, Jayne, then a monopod is much better than nothing.
When you are handholding a heavy lens, there is no doubt that tiredness creeps in, and that affects stability. I am guessing you’ve already experienced the long lens ‘shakes’, and this is why you are looking at options. Higher shutter speeds can help. The extra stabilising power of a monopod will make a difference, but I suggest you also look at adding a gimbalstyle head. I realise this will add weight and some awkwardness in operation, but over time I think this will be worth it for you.