Is a Photography Monopod for You? Use This Guide to Find Out
- What is a Photography Monopod?
- Pros & Cons of Shooting with a Photography Monopod
- Two Excellent Photography Monopods
- Final Thoughts on Photography Monopods
- Other Recommended Photography Gear
- Small footprint (both during use and when packed)
- Super lightweight
- Insane portability
- Quick and easy to set up
- Cheaper than tripods
- Accessibility (monopods are allowed in certain places where tripods are prohibited, such as sports stadiums)
- Not as stable as tripods
- The detachable bases can’t support large, heavy lenses
- What is the Best Camera and Lens for Landscape Photography?
- Which Vanguard Tripod is Your Best Bet for Shooting Video?
- Vanguard VEO 2 235AP Aluminum Travel Tripod
- Vanguard VEO 2 PRO 233CO Carbon Tripod
- Vanguard VEO3+ 263CP Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB Aluminum Tripod With Magnesium Alloy Ball Head
- Vanguard VEO 3 235CB Carbon Fiber Tripod/Monopod With Ball Head & Bluetooth Remote
- Preparing for Travel Photography: How to Plan and What to Bring
- The Best Photography Gear for Traveling Light
Photo by JasonDoiy via iStock
If you are considering investing in a new photography monopod, you have come to the right place! This article is a one-stop shop that will teach you everything you need to know about monopods.
What is a photography monopod? What are the pros and cons of using a monopod? When should I use a monopod? And what type of photographers will benefit most from shooting with a monopod? We answer all of those important questions and more here!
Vanguard is an award-winning photography company and an industry leader in the monopod marketplace. They have been manufacturing high-quality photo and video gear at affordable prices for over 30 years, and all their monopods and tripods include generous money-back guarantees.
Now, let’s jump in and discover if a photography monopod is right for you!
Check out the video above by Vanguard World to see examples of the spectacular footage you can capture using a Vanguard monopod.
Table of Contents
What is a Photography Monopod?
Photo by mgstudyo via iStock
A photography monopod is extremely similar to a tripod, but instead of having three legs, a monopod only has one. Because it only has one leg, most of the time, you will have to manually stabilize your monopod by either holding the camera or the leg.
With that said, many new Vanguard monopods come with sturdy, detachable bases that allow them to stand independently. This feature is particularly handy for photographers and videographers who typically work independently and want to capture images of themselves.
Moreover, you can attach different types of heads to monopods just as you can to tripods. This means you can customize your monopod to best fit your needs. For example, if you are working with video, you want to pair your monopod with a pan & tilt head or ball head.
Three groups of people that swear by monopods are wildlife, sports, and event photographers. Let’s find out why below!
Pros & Cons of Shooting with a Photography Monopod
Photo by SolStock via iStock
There are many advantages of using a photography monopod, including their size, weight, and versatility. Since they only have one leg, they are much more compact than standard tripods, meaning you can use them even when space is limited.
Also, their lightweight, ultra-portable bodies are ideal for traveling and on-the-go shooters. Wildlife and event photographers, for example, are constantly moving to capture their subjects, and monopods are easy to move and provide instant stability.
Furthermore, they are incredibly versatile and can capture unique perspectives. One of my favorite ways to use my monopod is to hold it over my head to get a birds-eye view. This perspective is perfect for shooting videos and photos with a timer delay.
Here’s a full list of the pros and cons of monopods:
Pros:
Cons:
Learn More:
Two Excellent Photography Monopods
Two of the best photography monopods on the market, without a doubt, are the Vanguard VEO 2S AM-264TV and the Vanguard VEO 2S CM-264TR. Both monopods are compatible with mirrorless, DSLR, and cinema cameras. Moreover, if you are a wildlife lover, you can even mount binoculars and scopes on them.
The Vanguard VEO 2S AM-264TV is a heavy-duty aluminum monopod equipped with the popular VEO 2 PH-13 two-way pan & tilt head. The removable head is great for photos, but video shooting is where it thrives. It’s remarkably fluid, and the footage looks stunningly smooth when captured using this videography monopod. If you are a videographer, filmmaker, or YouTuber, this is the monopod for you!
Next, there’s the Vanguard VEO 2S CM-264TR. It is an ultra-light carbon fiber monopod terrific for traveling. And even though it weighs less than two pounds, it can support professional setups of over 13 pounds. Also, it comes with a nifty smartphone holder and wireless remote control. Thanks to this, it’s a go-to monopod for professional photographers and amateur vloggers alike.
Here’s a head-to-head look at these two amazing Vanguard monopods' key specs and features.
Check out the video above by Vanguard World to learn more about the Vanguard VEO 2S CM-264TV monopod.
Final Thoughts on Photography Monopods
Photo by Prphotoscl via iStock
While I love shooting with a photography monopod and think one belongs in every photographer’s kit, I understand if you are still on the fence. If that’s your case, and you plan to stick to a traditional tripod, here are a few of the best Vanguard tripods for photo and video:
