I'm struggling with keeping my images stable and still, especially when zoomed in a bit. Weddings are typically what I shoot, though there are other gigs that warrant a steady shot (atcually, most of them).

A tripod helps a lot, but I can't be stationary during the entire ceremony. I'm thinking a monopod would give me the mobility I need and help keep the shot steady. I'm guessing that while a monopod won't be as good as a tripod, it will give me steadier shots than just using my hands to hold the camera. Is this assessment correct? Will a monopod still suffer from swaying left and right and back and forward? I suppose it depends on the operator, but it's better than nothing, right?

I've read every post on this forum regarding stabilizers and monopods. Some like them, others find them useless. Looking at the Manfrotto and Bogen line, there are a lot of different models. Are they really all that different from each other? Some have 4 sections, others 6, but in principle, I'd think they'd all perform about the same, correct?

Thanks for any clarification.

Look at the marzpak at
http://www.marztech.com/

This sounds like it may be ideal. Look through the whole site and take it seriously, it works. I own one and I have a monopod as well. the monopod sits in the closet more than the pak does. It's very reasonable and very well built. Not at all cheezi.

So far as a monopod you can buy a monopod with a sliding plate and a quick release that will allow you to go from hand held to monopod to tripod very quickly. Look at the 558B on the manfrotto site.
http://www.manfrotto.com/

click on " Photo and Video Camera Supports and Accessories / Monopods / Monopods "

The 558B is the second on the list

I've seen that Marzpak before. While it looks cool (albeit, rather goofy) and I'm sure it works well, that's quite a price difference between a $50 monopod and a $400 rig. Though, if I want quality shots, I know I'm gonna have to spend some bucks.

I checked out that monopod you suggested. Some have retractable legs at the bottom, which looks like it can be used as some sort of tripod. The 558B doesn't look to have them. Are the retractable legs worth having, or should you might as well just use a tripod if you're going to make the camera stationary? I could see how the could be convenient, but I don't have any experience with any of them.

I used an old burly and heavy Gitzo monopod of mine on a recent DVX100 shoot with excellent results. We also shot all the time-lapse footage with a GL2.

A similar monopod to my older Gitzo would be the Gitzo STUDEX G1564 monopod. Nice and burly.

The idea of using my monopod was to remove the center of gravity from the camera and add as much weight and mass to the bottom of the camera as possible. It worked very well. The key is to use as heavy and burly of a monopod as possible, not just simply use one of the lightweight models. Also, I added a small Manfrotto 3160 tripod head to the top of my monopod with a heavy duty Manfrotto brass quick release. This helps to maintain a level shot when standing still and also obviously to remove the camera from the monopod quickly as needed.

Some advantages: you can "hand-hold" the camera all day this way, significantly reduces shaky cam, you can hold the camera high over your head and make 'pseudo-jib" moves, and in a pinch, a monopod works well for static shots too, when you do not want the camera to move.

- don

I like monopods a lot, but they're too shaky for zoomed in shots. You actually have to control your breathing when you use the things, or every little shake will show. (At least for me.) Bogen makes a set of legs that attach to the bottom of their monopods. Never used them though.

While every little shake may show, it has to be better than shooting with nothing, correct? I know every little shake shows now using nothing, so I'm hoping a monopod will be somewhat of an improvement.. Guess I need to just get one and give it a shot. I'd think it'd be better than nothing, though this may be subjective. Thanks.

You'd sure think so, but I wouldn't say it's as stable as a shoulder mounted camera. Your body acts as a natural motion stabilizer somehow. The big advantage of the monopod is that you don't get as tired because it's supporting all of the weight. For me, it also makes it practical to mount fairly heavy stuff, like a light, XLR adapter, preamp, separate mic stand, etc. Remember that every little shake you see on the LCD will seem 10 times as big on a television screen. If you have blow it up to a movie screen, it's astonishing how apparent shakes can be.

Bobby,
I got a chance the other day (for about 2 minutes) to handle
the Bogen 682B monopod with 3 flip-out feet. Didn't mount a cam on it. I do know of one fellow who occasionally uses it for
weddings.
Two impressions jumped out at me about the 682 from my brief handling of it. First was that the monopod itself is more thick and burly than I expected. You could walk around with an XL1 + on there no problem. (Perhaps in a week or so I'll take a closer look and get back more in detail.) The second thing that sticks out is that, with the feet out, there was less stability than expected. I didn't get right down and look, but perhaps the feet themselves (which are about 1-foot long 1/2" solid metal rods going out at about an 80 degree angle from the monopod) are not very rigid. It was not too hard to induce sway. My gut level feeling is that the 682B would not substitute for a tripod at a ceremony--especially if you were zoomed in. Just too much uncontrolled sway.

Two comments. I own the Bogen 682B with a 3-way swivel head (3025 or 3028). The only thing the legs do is to allow you to remove your hand from the pod, so you can get some rest. When your hand is on the camera for focusing or zooming, there will be a slight sway and flex. Outdoors this happens just due to the wind (hands off mode). Thus, I really see no purpose in this monopod with feet as it is a poor substitute for a tripod. Get rid of the feet and just use it as a monopod, possibly with the optional shoulder brace.

The Marztech looks similar to the Tortlerig, but at half-price. This looks like it could work. I've played around with wire-suspended cameras, and you can do amazing tricks with them. Some people swear by this technique as a real backsaver.

Whichever monopod you buy be sure to mount a sliding plate like the one I posted. The plate allows you to set the position of the camera so that it is perfectly balanced.

Another posibility would be the might wondercam mini rover.

http://www.dvshop.ca/camera/videosmith.html

Look at the examples of the L bracket and how different equipment is mounted to it. The grip allows you to lock your elbows in tightly to your sides and provides a remarkably stable platform. There will be no camera shake (unless your whole torso is shaking).

You may think that any L bracket will do, but there is a difference. The grip and layout of the miny rover is superb.

The mini rover is available at B&H for $50. The DVshop site has a better illustration .

I'll keep in mind a good sliding plate when I pick up a monopod. Since monopods are relativiely inexpensive, think I'll just grab one and see how it works for me. If it doesn't perform as well as I think it should, I'm not out very much money.

That mini-rover looks interesting. I'm not sure I understand how it would give you a steadier shot, but I'm guessing anything is slightly steadier than actually holding the camera itself. This might be a viable option as well.

So for those that have used the Marzpak, let's say at a wedding, do you find it to be obtrusive? I don't see how you could be very discreet with that, though I'm sure it works great.

Thanks for all of the tips and info. guys. Hopefully I'll be doing some experimenting soon and will let y'all know how it goes.

One other possibility might be the Steddiepod. Beefier legs than on the Bogen 682B.
Of important note for the use of this device as a stabilizer is that it does not have a gimbal.
http://www.ezprompter.com/pdsteddiepod.htm

Bobby
if you hold the camera in your hands, your arms are away from your body and prone to shake.

The Mini rover positions your arms so that the camera can be locked in to your chest (side of chest)

To try the idea, tuck your upper arms into your body and let them hang straight down. Bend your arms at the elbow holding your hands as close to your chest as possible. Your upper arm and forearm will be in a "V" and will also be straight and parallel to each other.

Locked in this position, your arms cannot move. To move your hand you have to bend or swivel from the waist.. Your camera will move with your torso. Try it and you'll see what i'm talking about.

I once shot from the deck of a pitching ship. The camera moved but with my torso. It was a slow roll with the waves and not a shaky hand.

Buying the tripod and sliding plate together will save a fair chunk of change.

Although I haven't tried a Steadipod (mostly because it's $400 !),
it looks a lot like a $60 tripod with legs splayed minimally, each leg weighted by a roll of quarters on each leg.

I see Bryan, thanks for the tip. The mini-rover definitely looks cool, and for the price, hard to beat.

Obviously there are a lot of tools out there for steady shots. Since the flavors vary so drastically, I'm guessing some will work better than others depending on the situation. A monopod will be a quick start and just another tool I'll keep in my bag. I'm also looking at the shoulder supports now, as well as other stabilzers. The prices sure seem to go up quickly!

I have a lot of options to consider from what initally started as a monopod question :)

I'll probably end up needing to get a Mini Rover soon because
I'm running out of room to put stuff on my cam. I see on the DVshop site they show a mic mounted on the Mini Rover. My Rode
NT4 couldn't sit on the end like that. Because of it's size and weight it needs "extra attention" in mounting. It's attached in two places to the VX handle. It sits in a Lightwave Minimiount.
The Minimount is attached to the hot shoe. The rear part of the Minimount extends down the length of the VX handle, riding about 3/4" above it. What I do is cut about six 1" squares of padded double-sided tape and stack them up and stick them between the VX' handle and the Minimount. The Minimount itself also needs "extra attention" to support the NT4's weight. This involves use of a nylon bushing and two rubber washers. With all this, the mic is quite stable on the cam. Video hobbiests do look more at the cam with that two-headed silver mic on there and comment "nice camera". Gives the cam a more "pro look". (Maybe I should've posted this in the Support Your Local Mic forum.) I've considered occasionally that I should've gotten a smaller mic but I'm picky about good audio. I just read a newer multiple-mic comparison and the NT4, of course, kicked all a**. I'll probably put my Pag C6 light on the Mini Rover. Does anyone know if use of the optional Mini Rover wireless receiver plate will take away the option of using the shoe?

"Does anyone know if use of the optional Mini Rover wireless receiver plate will take away the option of using the shoe?"

I've been wanting to know this myself. It sure looks like it does in the photo.

Ya, it looks that way.
Does everyone use their monopod with a head on it?

I think the head is indispensible, especially if you ever want to get low angle shots, which I do a lot. It's one of the coolest things about using a monopod.

I mounted the mini mate and attached a secondary shoe to it for some earlier applications. The mini mate plate could also be used to mount your NT4. By installing the mini mount parallel to the camera, you'd have the required support.

The mini rover is my most used accessory and is even left on the camera when mounted on my tripod. I even use it with my Marzpak.

I recently bought a cavision bellows matte box with carbon fiber support rods. This is a close second as a camera support believe it or not. I have a cavision clamp on sun shade in use when not needing filters or that deep shade of the bellows. I found myself leaving the support rods on the camera. it wqas just so handy as a hand hold (sturdy as well).

My monopod is my least used support item , and yes i even leave the mini rover on when I use the monopod.

Again, the quality of build and the grip are worth the extra few bucks over a cheap L bracket.

Do y'all feel the mini-rover is better than the Studio1 Steady Bracket? I would think the Steady Bracket grip, being below the camera and not next to it, would be easier to handle than the mini-rover with it's handle next to the camera.

I really dig the mini-rover too. How did you attach a hotshoe to it? By the way, do you use an XLR adapter with that bellows? I'd like to get one, but it looks like the rods would get in the way of my adapter.

Marco
I use a beach sometimes and sometimes not. I use the Canon adapter plate (RSPC). You have to change the height of the sliding bracket that connects the adapter plate to the carbon rods. I also have the smaller DV plate. Either can be set up for a XLR adapter or without one.

I spent damn near the whole day in their office fitting it the way I wanted. I really doubt they'll forget that one. Catherine , the office mgr really tries to accomodate the customers needs.

http://www.cavision.com/Mattbox/rods.htm

Bobby,

I recently bought three monopods for a special project we were covering and found them to be fantastic.

I purchased them, along with some mini-dv camera braces from Studio 1 in Orlando, Florida. You can see the application on their website at, http://www.studio1productions.com/skypod.htm

It is not often that I am wowed by a company or their services, but I have to say that David at Studio 1 was absolutely amazing in providing support for their products.

My purchases were made on an emergency basis and everything was received within 24 hours of every order I placed.

Also, the SkyPods are very affordable and when combined with their Digital Zoom Controlers, we were basically pulling off "crane" shots at a moment's notice and under conditions that were less than ideal.

I had no problem keeping my zoomed in shots steady, although tilting and panning from one "leg" takes a little getting use to.

Give them a look, I think you'll be very pleased with their products.

RB

Rick, I took a look at the link to the Skypod and was wondering if I could duplicate something like it with my existing tripod. I can't believe I never thought of this before.

For a portable tripod I use a Manfrotto 190QCB with a 128RC head. This tripod has a removable center post. I also have a Manfrotto 681 monopod with a 128RC head mounted on it.

I noticed that the bottom extension of the monopod uses the exact same diameter tube as the center post. I took the rubber foot off the monopod and it fits exactly into the tripod as if it was designed for it.

Fully extended it's 8.5 feet and is quite stable. The nice thing is that it stands by itself. If extended to 7 feet I can actually reach up and work the pan handle. I also have a Varizoom and portable LCD screen so remote control would be no problem either.

I thought I'd share this discovery in case anyone else has a similar tripod and monopod and never thought to use the two together.

Nothing like a little ingenuity to better an already good situation!

RB

Bobby, I'm strictly an amateur (have shot a couple of weddings for friends, a few sporting events, etc.) and I've pondered this as well, because I don't like to be tied to a fixed location with a heavy tripod. I like to mount my Canon Elura on my cheap, lightweight Hakuba tripod (w/ 3-way pan head) but keep the legs closed. It therefore serves as a monopod, but when I need extra stability, I just open the legs a bit - easy to do with one hand. As soon as I want to move again, I can pick it right up. If I need complete freedom, I can use the quick release and easily set the tripod/monopod aside.

This method evolved because I'm still on the cheap and have only one support tool, but I like it nonetheless and would probably adapt it to a GL-2 if I get one. I like the idea of the Bogen monopod with legs - very much like my method. Not stable enough for pans or tele shots, perhaps, but stable enough for most shots and to allow an occasional rest. I notice that Bogen also makes a monopod with a squeeze lever to control the length with one hand - this strikes me as a potentially very handy design. I also like the idea of the Skypod.

There's also the Flowpod - a steadicam device that doubles as a monopod. It's a bit pricier, however.

I have limited experience but I like the combination of freedom and stability that a monopod affords. My next goal for events is to have a fixed cam on a tripod and use a monopod for a variety of other shots. I've never used a steadicam so I can't speak to that, but a monopod is certainly better than nothing.

Once you migrate to a more stable and heavy duty tripod or monopod you'll never want to go back to one of the light weight and inexpensive models. I use a camera that all dressed out weighs 5 to 7 lbs depending on what i use and i'd rather use a mighty wondercam mini rover than a cheap pod. As a mater of fact I seldom use the monopod at all. I do love my Marzpak.

I went ahead and bought a monopod. It was a cheap monopod at one of the few camera stores around here, but I think it'll be better than nothing. I still notice some sway, but with practice I think I can reduce the amount of movement. It is better than nothing.

I think I'm going to give that mini-rover a shot as well. There are some other stabilizers I'd really like to try as well, such as the Flowpod. That does look really cool, but it's pricey. If they work as advertised, then I'd be willing to plop down my cash. It's just hard to take a gamble on someting that may or may not work for several hundred dollars that I might not be able to return from unsatisfaction.

Andrew, good tip about your tripod use. I've tried that and there are benefits. I might try to get better at doing just what you're doing.

Rick, I bet you're right, Studio1 does look to have some great products. I'll have to give them a shot sometime. Their Smoothcam and SkyPod look really cool, as well.

It's amazing at how many things I need, or think I need...and I thought just buying a decent camera would be good enough...doh! :)