Tripod or Monopod

[VigilanteFoto]

My tripod is a beast, and my cheap travel tripod seems still too big for a 1 suitcase trip to Europe. Im debating buying a Monopod. Reactions? Shoukd i bite the luggage fee and bring my travel tripod or are there good monopods? Suggestions? Oh, i shoot with Nikon D610 and Sony NEX7.

 

[Designer]

There are places where one is not allowed to use a tripod.

 

[tirediron]

Depends; is this a 'trip of a lifetime'? If so, then don't skimp, spend the money and take both.

 

[Light Guru]

There are places where one is not allowed to use a tripod.

Those places probably won't allow use of a monopod ether.

 

[Tailgunner]

My tripod is a beast, and my cheap travel tripod seems still too big for a 1 suitcase trip to Europe. Im debating buying a Monopod. Reactions? Shoukd i bite the luggage fee and bring my travel tripod or are there good monopods? Suggestions? Oh, i shoot with Nikon D610 and Sony NEX7.

4 words: MeFoto CF Globe Trotter.

It's light, compact, and the center shaft along with one of the legs can be converted into a monopod.

My old go to tripod is a ManFrotto Aluminum that when folded was 28" and weighed 5 lbs and had to be placed in my suit case diagonal in order to fit...had to remove the ball in order to do that! It was killing me on trips. I had to roll my clothes up around it and pray I had room. So something had to give. Thats when I bought the Carbon Fiber MeFoto Globe Trotter! This dude only weighs 3.7 lbs and folds down to 16.1"! It fits perfectly along the bottom of my suit case or length wise with room to spare! I need to run up stairs and snap a photo of it all packed up ready for a another trip.

Anyhow, I have no problems suggesting this tripod for a European trip...it's going in my suit case for an up coming Hawaiian trip.

 

[Tailgunner]

This is my middle sized suit case packed for a short trip.



Here is my MeFoto CF Globe Trotter, small hiking backpack used for carrying misc camera gear, water etc, and my grooming kit.



Fits perfectly alone the bottom with ball attached.

 

[runnah]

Just buy a cheap tripod when you get there. Odds are you'll break even with baggage costs.

 

[Tailgunner]

There are places where one is not allowed to use a tripod.

Those places probably won't allow use of a monopod ether.

Try using a Joby Gorillapod.

You can wrap it around a pole or fence and it's strong enough for a DSLR. I saw a guy use one in D.C. and he never had an issue with it.

JOBY GorillaPod Focus - Professional Tripod, Lightweight Camera and Video Tripod

 

[ruifo]

+1 to go with the "MeFoto CF Globe Trotter".
It's both tripod and monopod in one single light and compact package.

 

[JoeW28]

I think you're confusing the purposes. I know that Monopods stabilize. But frankly, the vast majority of people I've seen using a monopod are doing so b/c they're shooting with 300mm f2.x zooms for hundreds of exposures at a sporting event. It's more about resting their aching arms. All of the stuff that I typically use a tripod for (such as long exposures...blurring water, fireworks, poi, etc.) I'd never consider using a monopod for--not steady enough.

If you're going to be hiking long distances (and consider using the Monopod as a walking stick) and/or shooting with long/big glass, than a monopod may do it for you. But if you're going to be shooting inside dark, unlit churches with ambient light where your exposure might be 2 seconds than a monopod is a waste of space in your luggage.

Also, it's cruel and ruthless of me to say this but I suggest you pack lighter. My philosophy as a long-time travel has been: if I can't carry it on my back for a couple of miles then it's not going on the trip. I don't do roll-on luggage. I almost never check bags (and never with photo equipment...not since I lost two bags of camera equipment in 1985). I fly all the time with a tripod. If you have so much stuff that you can't fit a tripod in to your carryon luggage, than you're going to have a heckuva time accessing stuff when you're on the go in Europe. You'll see something you want to shoot...but your gear will be back in the hotel or packed in your bag in the hold in the bus. Consider the shooting situations you'll be in (shooting as you go...or shoot, get on a bus/ship/plane, go to another destination, unpack, and then shoot). Or are you going to arrive at a location and then put down roots for 10 days? The shooting situations will tell you what you need to be able to carry and what you can pack and then access.

My advice would be to go with a tripod. And if you've got one that is too big to travel and too heavy to carry around Barcelona or Prague as you walk the streets for a full day, then go the route others have suggested and buy something that is portable.

 

[EIngerson]

Both….

 

[Designer]

Just be prepared; if you wish to browse a museum, you will be asked to leave your brand new $500 CF tripod at the desk for retrieval upon exiting.

 

[EIngerson]

Just be prepared; if you wish to browse a museum, you will be asked to leave your brand new $500 CF tripod at the desk for retrieval upon exiting.

True, but when you go back outside you can get a bad ass HDR shot of the museum itself.

 

[VigilanteFoto]

Thanks for the responses. Alot of food for thought. This is not a once in a lifetime trip, but since i will have a rental car to lug things around, will probably take my lite version tripod. I appreciate the recommendations, but my Gitzo is too heavy yo even try, and my Silk travel will have to suffice. The Gorilla sounds interesting and i may end up getting a cheap Ebay version. Since i am going to a family wedding at the end of the trip, i cant pack in a carryon, particularly as i need to bring family gifts, and cloths for family events. Thanks.