Monopod or tripod

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Harvey
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I`m looking to take a wander out into local woodland for wild life photos with my canon 1000d and 500mm sigma lens but would rather not have to take my camlock carbon tripod as this is quite a bit to keep setting up, so my thinking is a monopod, will this give me the steady platform i need or would i be better off taking the time with the tripod?
 
A monopod is good. Just make sure that it is up to the job of propping up that 500mm, and obviously attach the monopod to the lens. Make sure you have a decent head on the monopod too as there is nothing worse than against the monopod. Don't forget that using tree trunks or fence posts can also work to make the lens stable.

One draw back of a monopod is you have to keep hold of it/ the camera all of the time. With a tripod you can relax and wait for your subject to turn up.
 
Monopod and tripod - two different tools for two different uses. While you will get a bit of extra stability with a monopod, it's no substitute for a tripod. I tend to use the monopod as something which will take the weight rather than use it for extra stability, so basically my settings on camera would be as if I was hand holding.

It really comes down to what you're shooting. If you need a longer shutter speed then you'll need a tripod, however if you're shooting things that require a fast shutter speed anyway then you can use the monopod for that touch of extra stability, and, possibly more importantly, to help support the weight of the 500mm.
 
Shooting wildlife is usually a sit and wait game in which case a tripod and a hide or camo is a better bet. A monopod is useful as additional support if stalking but not as steady as a tripod. Need to practice your technique.
 
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