What is a monopod?
A monopod is a stand with only one leg to provide extra support during photography and filming. As they have a fixed leg, the freedom of movement and speed is much higher than with the (three-legged) tripod. Monopods are usually made of aluminium or carbon and are therefore sturdy in quality and can be classified in various price ranges. Due to its ease of use and transport, the monopod offers the ability to get just that little bit more out of your images in various situations.
Stability and freedom of movement
By minimising risks of vertical movements, monopods ensure considerably improved stability while taking action images. Even for heavy SLR cameras with zoom lenses or impressive telephoto lenses, many monopods succeed in absorbing undesired movements and shocks for longer shutter speeds. At a maximum height of about 150cm, they still offer very reliable stability for recording beautiful landscapes or filming athletes in action. Since they consist of several sections, the height can be easily adjusted, so photos can also be taken close to the ground. Other models are equipped with a mechanism whereby the tip rests on the tummy or hip, so the stability can be extra supported.
High load capacity
Just as with tripods, powerful monopods can carry a lot of weight and they are therefore suitable for both professional video cameras and powerful medium format cameras with accompanying lenses.However, due to the mechanism of one leg, cheaper models will have more difficulty in keeping everything stable and the influence of this will also be noticeable in the final recording.On the other hand, carbon fibre monopod models offer much quality for the use of heavy cameras, often also thanks to the addition of collapsible feet at the end of the monopod. In addition to this material being especially lightweight yet tremendously strong, its best quality is that it absorbs vibrations to a considerable extent.
Accompanying stand heads
Most monopods are not equipped with a stand head, but this can be purchased separately and connected to the top part. With a panorama head or ball head mounted, a comfortable posture is within reach for everyone, also for longer users. For our offer of stand heads more information can be found about the various types and their possibilties.
