Steady Your Camera With a Monopod

Okay, in my marathon post on focus, you heard me talk about how slow shutter speed can be one of the causes for “soft” or out-of-focus pictures, right? Well, one way to help with that is to use a tripod or monopod. Both tools will help steady the camera and prevent movement you would other wise have from your own hand shake.

The most ideal tool for ensuring complete stillness is a tripod, however we don’t often have time to set up a tripod when in certain situations. And, tripods can be bulky and take up more space than you might have. So, a wonderful solution is the monopod.

In September I purchased the Manfrotto 680B monopod and I have been very pleased! Not only does it help me hold steady so I can use a slower shutter speed when light is low, but it helps me not break my wrists holding up the D700 with the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 lens (which is a monster).

I have used the monopod at the wedding I did last month, plus at all my son’s football games (if I lugged the D700 with me). You can adjust the leg so easily to be longer or shorter, in just a couple of seconds, whereas with a tripod you have to adjust each of the legs, taking up more time. When I was finished shooting, I quickly close down each section and carry it on my wrist or under my arm.

Here is a shot of my pink princess, posing not all that willingly, with the Manfrotto monopod fully extended, so you can get an idea of the size.

If you are struggling with keeping your shutter speed fast enough to ensure good focus, think about investing in a good monopod. And, I encourage you not to buy the cheapest one you see. you are putting an expensive camera and lens on it, so you want one that is well built and durable.

Please remember, this is NOT a tool you will use if you need a long shutter speed, like for night shots and such. Those type shots require a tripod. Monopods are great for weddings, nature and sports photography.

Okay, on to the giveaway!!!

Giveaway is CLOSED

I am giving away a Manfrotto 680B to one lucky person! Comment #3, Lori, was the winning number. Congrats, Lori!!!
To enter the giveaway simply tell me if you use your right or left eye when looking through your viewfinder (in other words, which one do you keep OPEN when shooting).
  • One entry per person
  • Answer must be left as comment on this blog post, not on Facebook
  • Giveaway ends Saturday, November 19th at 11:30 PM EST
  • Winner chosen via Random.org
  • Winner has one week to respond to my email after which I will choose another winner

 

Note: Links are Amazon affiliate links, which mean I receive 3% of sales made from purchases, which I use to help me pay for the products I giveaway here.

 

About Amanda

I am passionate about helping others learn how to use their DSLR cameras and editing programs. More information about me can be found at my About page, or by visiting my personal blog.

Comments

  1. Michelle S. says:

    I’m a righty…. although I can keep them both open. (fingers crossed)

  2. Great question! My right eye is my “viewfinder” eye. Love your posts!

  3. I use my left eye. I had to hold something up to my eyes, because I really hadn’t paid attention! lol

  4. I use my right eye, but I sometimes I keep them both open.

  5. I’m a right eye-er!

  6. I use my RIGHT eye..always!

  7. Terri Elward says:

    I am a lefty.

  8. Right eye. 😉

  9. Right eye – although I have been told to keep both open!

  10. Right eye!

  11. Wow, sign me up! I use my left eye…
    kisses
    heather

  12. My right eye! Great giveaway yet again, Amanda! Thanks for a chance 🙂

  13. I always keep my good left eye wide open!

  14. This is an interest poll! I use my left eye.

  15. I’m a righty!

  16. maddie cote says:

    ok i had to think about it but i use both. it depends if i am doing a vertical or horizontal shot. i never even noticed that i do this till i check myself. go figure!

  17. I have my right eye in the viewfinder, but I keep them both open quite a bit.

  18. Catherine Harper says:

    It’s so automatic I had to pick up my camera and check. My left eye is on the viewfinder!

  19. I use the right!

  20. Jennifer McHugh says:

    Right!

  21. Pamela Schafer says:

    Left eye and you’ll never believe why! If I keep my right eye open I get a HUGE nose smudge on the 3″ vewing window and it drives me crazy looking through that messy blur. I have to wipe that screen every single time I shoot if I use my right eye 🙂
    Pam

  22. I’m another one that uses the right eye!

  23. I prefer to use my right eye to look through the viewfinder, but a couple months ago, I started having some vision problems in my right eye, so now I have to use my left eye. It was very awkward at first, but hey, we do what we gotta do to keep shooting, right? Now I’m used to using my left eye. And I’m happy to report that there is some improvement in my right eye, so I might or might not go back to it at some point. Whew, long answer!!!

  24. Scrappin' Annie says:

    Definitely a lefty.

  25. I use my right eye.

  26. I am a lefty!

  27. My right eye, provided my toric lens (contacs) are working correctly. 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!

  28. Becky Tate says:

    I use my right eye.

  29. I use my right eye. Thanks!!

  30. What an awesome giveaway! I have a Manfrotto tripod and LOVE IT! It’s a beast and a little cumbersome, but I never worry about whatever equipment I have sitting on it – VERY STURDY. 🙂

    I’m a righty!

  31. Right eye.

  32. Right eye.

  33. Right eye.

  34. Right eye… thanks for the chance.

  35. I use my right eye and keep my left eye firmly shut. I’m a lefty though, I wonder if it’s a bit unusual that I shoot with the “wrong” eye.

  36. I’m a righty! I could so use that monopod! Thanks for the chance.

  37. I keep my left eye open. I’m a righty, but am left-eye dominant 🙂

  38. Left Eye!

  39. I shoot with my left eye.

  40. Ohhhhh yes please, yes please! I use my LEFT eye. I hear ya ’bout the lens, hefty gear. it’s a work out! 😉

  41. I am a righty too. I wonder if this has anything to do with whether you are right-handed or left-handed?

  42. I use my left eye 🙂

  43. My right eye!

  44. Jennifer F. says:

    Right eye! Thanks for the chance to win the monopod! 🙂

  45. LOL, this is a good one that I had to think about. I keep my left eye open.

  46. My husband thinks I should look through the view finder with my right eye but I am left handed and probably left brained too. I look with my left eye.

  47. Heather Lee says:

    Right eye. Very interesting question — I have never even thought about it, but now I wonder why I use my right eye. . . .

  48. Right eye!!!

  49. rebecca keppel says:

    I keep my right eye open 🙂

  50. Hahahaha! Great question…..I use my right eye! So does this say something about us right eye vs. left eye people 😉

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