Weststaines wrote:.

I'll be travelling soon and need a tripod to help me take pics ofmyself....I have found that asking strangers to take pics isn't agood idea!.

Have you had a bad personal experience?.

[snip].

Should I still go with the tripod? Or get a monopod on top of that?Ideally I'd like just the one solution..

A tripod and a monopod are not substitutes for each other. Think of a monopod as low-tech image stabilization. You can't use it as a standalone camera support, which is what you need to take pictures of yourself. So between these two, a monopod won't solve the problem while a tripod will..

If I extend the legs of the tripod but don't open them (outwards),then can't I use it like a monopod? Or am I missing the point?.

Not easily. To use a monopod properly, you need to brace it against your body, for example by tucking the tip under the bridge of your right foot and stabilizing the length against your left thigh, while pulling the camera to your face. A folded-up tripod is too clumsy to be used this way..

A tripod would be the best solution for you from a purely photographic point of view, but it may not always be practical. You might want to consider either a "micro-pod" (something small enough to keep in the side pocket of your camera bag that you can stand on a surface, or take pictures from near ground level), or... a bean bag. A bean bag will get the job done just fine, if you have any reasonably solid surface to put the bag on, like a wall, table, chair, or such..

/Petterihttp://www.prime-junta.net/http://www.flickr.com/photos/primejunta/..

Choice depends in part on where you'll be travelling, cities or parks for example. A tripod I find is akward in the city, but I can get away with a monopod, it looks like a walking stick or cane, if you don't mind that 'image' LOL. I like the monopod and use it often. It will give you some stabilitization, but not as good as a tripod. I took both my monopod and a lightweight tripod on a recent trip to Europe, but frankly found I didn't use the monopod and the tripod as much as I expected, they just became too much to drag around the cities with DSLR and multiple lenses. I used the tripod usually only in dark interiors at which I needed a sloow shutter speed.

If I were going out to parks, or had a car, I'd opt for both and use one or the other as appropriate. Pack them in your checked baggage if you fly to your destination.Best regards, SandySigma SD10, SD14http://www.pbase.com/sandyfleischmanhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/sandyfleischmann..

Agreed on many of the options that Petteri mentioned. I list a range of stabilization tricks (including the beanbag one) on my notebook: http://halley.cc/photo/stabilize.html.

As for letting someone else take a picture of you, just spin the camera's dial to "idiot-proof automatic" and hand it to the nearest passing couple or respectable idler. If you're worried about bandits or something, just ask another camera-toting tourist. It can be an opportunity for you to return the favor likewise with THEIR camera..

[ e d @ h a l l e yc c ] http://www.halley.cc/pix/..

If that is the only reason you want a pod, - to take self-portaits,- I would say don't bother. It is a nuisance and adds to your baggage. I have never found people refuse to take a picture of me. Ask nicely, show them the button to press, and bingo, no tripod needed..

And could that person who ran away with my camera while he was backing off to take my photo, please at least return the CF card to me with my wedding photos on it.......

Yeah, on past trips I 've asked strangers to take photos of me.....like given them the camera, showed them how I want to compose it - like basically pretending to take the photo myself, and they still manage to stuff it up! And it wasn't a one off expereince......like 8 out of 10! .....

On top of that I have this photo which sometimes requires multiple takes, so I feel bad asking a stranger to take it (it involoves me jumping in the air!).

Thanks for the tips!..

I have a very light tripod which I have considered using as a replacement for a monopod under some circumstances. Perhaps more accurately, to replace my trekking pole and Bogen 3265 pistol grip head. So it would work well for situations where the monopod/pole was giving limited extra stability help, would work better (folded) when the walking wasn't strenuous and or tricky and the bad balance of the pole and head was annoying, and would work even better compared to trying to anchor the pole and use the Bogen head to adjust camera angles..

However, with three poles at the base, it would probably not work well at all for those using a heavier lens and trying to pan while using the monopod to support a heavier lens. Then a single foot rotates well, three probably won't rotate well at all...

Weststaines wrote:.

On top of that I have this photo which sometimes requires multipletakes, so I feel bad asking a stranger to take it (it involoves mejumping in the air!).

Intriguing!.

So you plan to go round the world and take a photo of yourself jumping in the air in different locations."Here is one of me jumping in the air in front of the Eiffel Tower""In this pic I am jumping in the air in front of Niagara Falls"..

Verrrry interesting. Maybe take a tripod after all........

Sounds like you need a monopod with legs! As crazy as that may sound, there is such a thing:.

Http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/291660769.htm.

The Quantaray Versipod linked to above seems to be the best implementation that I've found. I've seen similar monopods from Bogen/Manfrotto, but they're a lot more money and the legs aren't part of the monopod shaft like the Quantaray, and instead are detachable legs that I don't feel are as convenient or stable. Don't get me wrong even the Quantaray isn't going to be the most stable or camera safe tripod. I could see how a gusty breeze or an accidental bump from a passerby could easily knock this system over. However, it seems like a good compromise of a tripod and a monopod. The biggest caveat I see is that it doesn't collapse very small..

You could also get a tripod where the center column is also a monopod. That's what I did. The center column monopod is actually quite nice and rather sturdy. It also folds up smaller than any dedicated tripod I've found, and that even includes like an 8-inch ball grip head that I keep on it. Carry around the whole tripod, but only pull out the monopod until you need the legs..

I also have a very small travel tripod that is most often taken with me above everything else I own. It collapses to about 12 inches, but extends to about 4.5 feet tall. It's not very thick or stable and leg locking mechanisms are very primative, but it's definitely a great tripod in a pinch. Better than the mini table-top tripods because you don't have to arrange your shot to be near a table, wall, fence, etc..

I've seen a few people with a GorillaPod:.

Http://www.amazon.com/...UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1181247260&sr=8-3.

This is a rather small tripod, but the legs are completely bendable so it can be wrapped around poles, chairs, benches, fences, etc. Your imagination at the scene is about the only limiting factor. It's a little on the pricey side in my opinion (I'd rather pay $69 to get the Quantaray monopod with legs), but it is an option for a travel tripod and a lot of people seem to like them..

FYI, I've used my tripod as a monopod before by just extending one leg. My monopod of choice is rather heavy and thick legged, so just extending one leg works well and allows me to be more mobile. It's especially nice if you at an event where you frequently find yourself wanting to switch between the stability of a tripod and the mobility of a monopod. I don't think this method would work well with a cheaper/thinner tripod, as one leg would provide much stability..

Good luck with whatever solution you go with..

Chris.

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Hi ajax!.

Yeah I was hoping that a small light weight monopod existed which could support itself, but yeah....maybe not!.

Jumping in the air?.

Here I am at Stanford......

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At New York.......

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You get the idea ..

Thanks Chris,.

That was very helpful....the Versipod is just what I'm after but as you said it may not be that stable.....I will go check it out though!.

Thanks a lot!..

Another combo unit is the Trek-pod:http://www.trek-tech.com/.

Bogon also makes a mono-pod with tripod legs:http://www.adorama.com/...682B.html?searchinfo=bogen%20monopod&item_no=14.

However, with all three units, stabality might be a problem, since that long center column can sway even if the 3 legs are braced. I have the Bogen, and with a heavy DSLR, stabality is an issue. I've seen the Trek-pod in the store, but I haven't used it. One concern might be whether it folds small enough to fit in your suitcase for travel...

All things considered, I feel the Stanford jump is superior in both quality and elevation to the Statue of Liberty jump. There is a certain weightless, effortlesness about the Stanford Jump which makes the Statue of LIberty jump seem ponderous..

I would suggest you go back and jump again at the Statue of Liberty..

PS No there is no monopod which stands on it's own. It would be like expecting a broomstick to balance on it's own. However you can get a small tripod which fits onto the end of a monopod and keeps it upright. Check B&H website..

Having said that, the chances of you putting the camera on self timer and then leaping into the air at excactly the correct moment the shutter clicks is virtually zero. Have you thought of that little problem?.

Weststaines wrote:.

Hi ajax!Jumping in the air?Here I am at Stanford......

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At New York.......

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You get the idea ..

Hey Ajax,.

Thanks for your comments. I agree, the Stanford shot is my favourite. The shot was taken on the first day of a 6 week tour of North America, and I am yet to beat it. Not bad for a second take .

In actual fact, this shot was taken using a timer, as are most of my heel clicking shots. My Canon Ixus 60 has this great feature where you can adjust the timer length, but also the number of shots it takes. So normally I set it on 5 seconds and 3 shots. Sometimes it takes several takes to get the right shot, but I think it's worth it in the end....even if ppl laugh at me when I do it..

After checking out the gorilla pod, I'm starting to like it. But like some people, I'm just wondering if i'l always be able to find something tall enough to rest it on ....like I don't think I would have been able to take a statue of liberty shot (that close anyway) if I had a gorilla pod.....so I'm thinking I should get a really compact tripod (4ft in heigt) and the gorillapod to boost up the height should I need it?.

What do ppl think?.

I've added some more heel clicking shots.....but Stanford is still my fave.

Brroklyn Bridge.

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Another Statue of liberty shot.

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Vancouver.

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UBC.

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Now wait a minute! I think Stanford just got beaten by the Brooklyn Bridge shot!.

If you can just Photoshop that bench out by your feet, you'll have a world-beater..

I tell you what, contact me when you get to Cape Town and I will make time in my incredibly busy and important schedule to take a killer shot of you jumping in front of Table Mountain..

This is MUCH more fun than discussing tripods........

Weststaines wrote:.

Hey Ajax,.

Thanks for your comments. I agree, the Stanford shot is myfavourite. The shot was taken on the first day of a 6 week tour ofNorth America, and I am yet to beat it. Not bad for a second take.

In actual fact, this shot was taken using a timer, as are most ofmy heel clicking shots. My Canon Ixus 60 has this great featurewhere you can adjust the timer length, but also the number of shotsit takes. So normally I set it on 5 seconds and 3 shots.Sometimes it takes several takes to get the right shot, but I thinkits worth it in the end....even if ppl laugh at me when I do it..

After checking out the gorilla pod, I'm starting to like it. Butlike some people, I'm just wondering if i'l always be able to findsomething tall enough to rest it on ....like I don't think I wouldhave been able to take a statue of liberty shot (that close anyway)if I had a gorilla pod.....so I'm thinking I should get a reallycompact tripod (4ft in heigt) and the gorillapod to boost up theheight should I need it?.

What do ppl think?.

I've added some more heel clicking shots.....but Stanford is stillmy fave.

Brroklyn Bridge.

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Another Statue of liberty shot.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

Vancouver.

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UBC.

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Well you'll need a tripod for sure. I see no reason why a lightweight tripod could not be used as a monopod. Try it and see. If not, you'll have to get a monopod too. I can go a stop slower, maybe 2 (depending on my caffiene intake -lol) on shutter speed compared to handheld when using my lightweight tripod as a monopod. It might be a problem for indoors and no flash and no IS but for any photo out in the light of day, especially if you have IS, there should be no need for a monopod at all. Realsitically a monopod is used most often by pros so it supports the camera and they don't have to hold it up for long periods of time...

LOL....thanks ajax..

I would like to come to South Africa but I'm not sure if I will. It would be fun though...cos I'm going to 4 other continents on my trip (the americas, europe and asia)..

Is there much to see in South Africa? Would I be ok to travel by myself?..

But why? If you're carrying a tripod anyway, may as well take advantage of the rigidity. And you're giving up the weight advantage of the monopod. Some indoor venues, such as museums, allow monopods but not tripods. They won't allow a tripod even if you promise to extend only one leg. As others have said, when shooting sports or other action the mobility of a monopod overshadows the additional stability of a tripod. Because of the limited stability but mobility, it's why pros value (large, heavy) fast telephotos mounted on a monopod. Basically, two different accessories for different purposes.>..