Do you prefer...

[EchoingWhisper]

Do you prefer monopods, tripods, mini tripods, string pods/chain pods or gorilla pods?

 

[Robin Usagani]

I guess it depends what you are shooting.

 

[Overread19 7]

Depends what you shoot, how you shoot, the weight of your setup and the conditions you are shooting in. Opinions will also vary a lot on the quality and cost of the tools people can purchase as well.

Generally speaking a tripod is a help in almost all kinds of photography in a purely technical nature (that of avoiding most if not all camera shake). However they can be bulky to setup, slow to use and add weight to your setup. Tripods also have massive variety in the heads that can be used on them, which adds a whole new layer, not just the legs but also the right head for the specific situation. A geared head is ideal for macro work, but useless for action; whilst ball heads are almost the opposite.

Monopods provide an ideal, light support which can carry the weight without being too bulky.

In the end you'll have to work out what and how you shoot to work out what tools are right for your conditions. Budget is also important. Furthermore tripods are a bit like camera bags; you'll start off with one, but in the end you'll have a whole range of them and might well move through different models and brands as you work out what suits you best.

 

[Buckster]

Depends on the situation, but I personally almost always (more than 99% of the time) go with one of my four full size tripods. After that, my next go-to is my little Ultra-Pod II, then a variety of odd clamps for vehicle windows, suction cup mounts, vise-clamps or Justin-type clamps.

I've had a monopod for a couple years now, but never even used it yet. Keep looking at Gorilla pods, but haven't picked one of those up yet either.

 

[DorkSterr]

Tripod for me. I love the convenience of the lighter monopods buy their not for me.

 

[TheKenTurner]

Tripod all the time! But since I shoot video, sometimes I have my mic on a small gorilla pod, or on my old tripod.

 

[MLeeK]

What for?
I use gorilla pods and justin clamps for shoving flashes anywhere and everywhere I possibly can. I have been known to mount a flash on a monopod.
For shooting sports a monopod most definitely.
For shooting portraits a tripod.
I seriously doubt I'd trust a mini with my camera, but they can be useful for flashes!

 

[SCraig]

Admittedly I think I have one of each as well. I use my big tripod for things that aren't going to move (night shots, stills, etc.), my small tripod when I travel on a motorcycle (D60 and smaller lenses), my monopod for birds and big lenses or sports in dim light. I have a Gorillapod but have only used it once or twice since I don't really trust it with a DSLR. The idea of using it for a flash is a good one, I hadn't thought of that.