Photography: tripod or monopod?

Dear fellow forum-members:

Of those of you who use a tripod or monopod for taking your photographs, which do you recommend for using in Prague?

I have neither, yet, but would like to buy one or the other before I come. I%26#39;m undecided on which kind to use because while I think a tripod is sturdier, I am concerned that some places may not let me set up a tripod.

If you have experience with this, what do you think?

|||

depends whwere your going to be taking photos and at what time of year.Prague is a busy place and you may find setting up tripods will get in the way of many other tourists trying to vie for a good photo oppertunity.It is fine in quieter places but in the busy places it will be a hinderance and will annoy lots of other people.

If you must use anything use the monpod and try and take your pictures quickly.

|||

I%26#39;d vote for tripod if you are going to use it with a long lens. There are many places in Prague, where you can take tele-shots with a tripod -- Petrin Hill, embankments, bridges, islands in the Vltava river etc.

For night shots a tripods is better as well.

Marek

|||

It depends on your commitment to photography. For nighttime shots or using a big zoom lens, the tripod is better. However I used to get sick of carrying around a tripod, and when I did have it, it took so long to get it set up. In the end I used to carry a very small tripod which fitted inside my camera case and balance it on walls, tables etc, to get the shot.

If the mono-pod is easier to carry around and quicker to set up I%26#39;d guess the photos that you can%26#39;t take (big zoom in the dark) will be less than the photos you can%26#39;t take because you can%26#39;t be bothered to carry a tripod with you.

|||

Hi

I%26#39;d use the momopod, in fact I%26#39;d use mine if I had any idea where I%26#39;ve stowed it away. I also use anything else I can rest the camera on, especially for night shots without flash. I use walls, bollards, bridges, anything at all that is solid and does not sway.

You can take pictures quickly but if one is important to me I take a little time looking without the camera to make sure it%26#39;s right. Sadly this sometimes means blocking the entrance to the odd pub ;-))

Jackie

|||

Thanks for all the good advice.

It sounds to me like using a monopod will be more convenient- hopefully without sacrificing too much quality in the picture. And, perhaps a very small tripod I can use for a night shot, as well.

We%26#39;ll be going in January, and from what else I%26#39;ve read here on the boards, it%26#39;ll be a great environment for black %26amp; white photos at that time of year.

|||

in january, you have the advantage that you can stick a monopod in the snow for extra balance which you cannot get in the summer

|||

Snow? I%26#39;m sincerely hoping so!

|||

I went as part of a 30 day photography class led by a National Geographic photographer. He has been shooting professionally since 1971 and tells up that he never uses a tripod or monopod.

I was a bit of a skeptic but I left mine home.

I spent 30 days photographing Prague and found that there were plenty of places to balance the camera. Also you can increase the ISO versus slowing down the shutter speed.

I have a Nikon D200 and found with a VR (vibration reduction lens) that I could hand hold at a 30th of a second and still get a great shot.

|||

P.S. There is a thing called a %26quot;gorillapod%26quot; that I got at Hunts photo. I did use it a few times in Prague. Its a mini flexible tripod (about a foot tall) with flexible legs that can wrap around a tree branch or pole.

It sometimes won%26#39;t wrap entirely around something but it will help to secure the camera and lessen the shake. Much lighter and easier to store.