I sometimes photograph or film in places where there isn't much room for a standard tripod, or where one may get in the way of other people. At one point, I dropped by B&H and checked out all of the monopods that had three short legs that could be deployed. I understand why wedding photographers buy these hybrid monopods, but all of the ones that I looked at made me nervous. My conclusion was that they invite an expensive accident.
The photo below shows a setup that I've used for about a year and that I've found to be acceptably stable. I mount a robust monopod on a solid ground tripod. The 3/8" female receiver on the bottom of the monopod screws onto the ground tripod's 3/8" stud. The tripod's legs can be extended for more stability, but I haven't found it necessary. With a little discretion, I've gotten away with using this setup in places where tripods are prohibited.
The Walkstool in the photo, in addition to being comfortable, eliminates or reduces the need to extend the sections of the monopod. I am a fan of the Walkstool, which is popular with nature and sports photographers.
The camera in the photo is a Blackmagic Cinema Camera, and the tripod head is a Miller fluid head, but the setup works just as well with a 4x5. I haven't tried this with an 8x10.
Links:
Gitzo GM4542 Series 4 Monopod
Note that Gitzo's Series 4 monopods are the most robust monopods that it makes.
Really Right Stuff Versa Ground Tripod
There are alternatives to the RRS tripod. I believe that the Benro and Induro tripods linked below are the same tripod, except that the Benro is made of aluminium and the Induro is carbon fibre. The Benro comes with a half ball receiver, the Induro with a flat plate. Both tripods will take either. The Benro is significantly less expensive than the RRS and Induro. In his case, the difference in weight between aluminium and carbon fibre is insignificant. I'd also mention RRS's aluminium ground tripod, but it was discontinued last year.
Benro Hi-Hat
Induro Baby Grand Tripod
There are YouTube videos on the Benro and Induro tripods. As far as I know, there are none on the RRS.
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