Monopod v Tripod for travel

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I'm off to tour around several of the Southern US states for 3 weeks in August and having never used a pod of any type was wondering if a monopod would suffice over a tripod for the trip.

At present I do not own either. Whilst I will be adding a tripod to my long list of equipment. I was wondering if the mono may be easier when it comes down to packing for the airline?
 
i wouldnt try to get a tripod on board but if i had to a monopod yes,depends what for?

why not buy it out there should be cheaper i expect?
 
straycat said:
i wouldnt try to get a tripod on board but if i had to a monopod yes,depends what for?

why not buy it out there should be cheaper i expect?
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Why not? I took mine with me to Oz (it's still there, but that's another story :lol:) and had no problems transporting it. I'd imagine it would be cheaper just to buy one out there though....
 
monopod is easier for packing (fits in backpack) but doesn't assist too much in stability for long shots. More for a big lens (i've found - but no big lens). Can be useful for holding camera easier (eg squished up under camera, arm against side gripping monopod tightly).

Tripod for the long exposures (night, or nd shots).

Probably better to buy out there? and if you can find a place second hand so you can sell back at the end... unless you find you really like it!
 
definately take a tri-pod if you want long exposure stuff like ecniv said.....and if you need a monopod just fully extend one leg of the tripod.....
 
Go to the Nearest Walmart or Target, Buy one use it and then take it back before you come home under the 30 Day no quibble return policy they have,

That way you can have both, Tripond and MonoPod, (Plus anything else you need for your trip),

They also do a stonking good Mobile that has calls back to the UK for 10c a minute, costs $39.99 comes loaded with $30 in airtime, use it take it back, they will refund the full amount paid, they dont care about the preloaded credit.

Very liberal return polices make the most of them on your trip to save taking excess stuff!
 
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501cards said:
Go to the Nearest Walmart or Target, Buy one use it and then take it back before you come home under the 30 Day no quibble return policy they have,

That way you can have both, Tripond and MonoPod, (Plus anything else you need for your trip),

They also do a stonking good Mobile that has calls back to the UK for 10c a minute, costs $39.99 comes loaded with $30 in airtime, use it take it back, they will refund the full amount paid, they dont care about the preloaded credit.

Very liberal return polices make the most of them on your trip to save taking excess stuff!
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What a bloody good idea :)

I shall check the relevant sites for there return policies.
 
Buy them at this end they will be cheaper, take them back with you. By the time you go back they will look used and you should have no problem with customs.
Going on my hols I pack a tri & mono in checked baggage.
 
cdiver2 said:
Buy them at this end they will be cheaper, take them back with you. By the time you go back they will look used and you should have no problem with customs.
Going on my hols I pack a tri & mono in checked baggage.
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Thanks for that. Any tips on good places for pics whilst in Orlando? Rather than to normal theme park shots.
 
Resurrected said:
Thanks for that. Any tips on good places for pics whilst in Orlando? Rather than to normal theme park shots.
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Give me until tomorrow evening to put some links together for you.

What type of photography do you like, do you have transport, if yes whats your travel range?
 
Near Orlando but I have never been.
http://www.sjrwmd.com/recreationguide/halscott/index.html

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-trav-natureparks,0,365057.htmlstory

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/33002536

http://www.floridastateparks.org/

http://local.yahoo.com/info-14130836-back-to-nature-wildlife-refuge-orlando

This one is more like a zoo/theme park but I am told there are some very good photo ops there http://www.gatorland.com/

Places I have been 2nd Fav http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/circlebbarreserve.html

This is a 1 hour drive from Orlando. If you get there early (about dawn) watch out for the wild hogs, I have seen them a few times and never had a problem but they might attack.

My No 1 Fav http://www.brevardcounty.us/environmental_management/VieraWetlands-Home.cfm

Again about one hour from Orlando just watch yourself near the waters edge, gators. Normally they will get out of your way but now and then there is a attack in Fl. Also keep an eye open for snakes, you rarely see them again they try to keep out of your way but there are a few bites every year. If you do see one and want to photograph it know what you are dealing with. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-guide/snakekey.htm#22
 
cdiver2 said:
Near Orlando but I have never been.
http://www.sjrwmd.com/recreationguide/halscott/index.html

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-trav-natureparks,0,365057.htmlstory

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/33002536

http://www.floridastateparks.org/

http://local.yahoo.com/info-14130836-back-to-nature-wildlife-refuge-orlando

This one is more like a zoo/theme park but I am told there are some very good photo ops there http://www.gatorland.com/

Places I have been 2nd Fav http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/circlebbarreserve.html

This is a 1 hour drive from Orlando. If you get there early (about dawn) watch out for the wild hogs, I have seen them a few times and never had a problem but they might attack.

My No 1 Fav http://www.brevardcounty.us/environmental_management/VieraWetlands-Home.cfm

Again about one hour from Orlando just watch yourself near the waters edge, gators. Normally they will get out of your way but now and then there is a attack in Fl. Also keep an eye open for snakes, you rarely see them again they try to keep out of your way but there are a few bites every year. If you do see one and want to photograph it know what you are dealing with. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-guide/snakekey.htm#22
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Thanks for that, I guess I should have stated my itinerary just in case you've been to other areas. I'm going with the other half so will have to spend some time in the parks.

I'm spending nine days in total in Orlando, 4 at the beginning & 5 at the end of the trip. In between driving to NOLA, Memphis & Nashville & possibly Atlanta.
 
Tripod is very useful and travels with me.

I find my monopod completely useless. I have no big white fat lenses so I haven't used the monopod at all. It creates more problems than it solves.
 
What will you be using it for?
I would suggest either buying one there or get yourself a gorilla-style pod.
 
mithrandir said:
What will you be using it for?
I would suggest either buying one there or get yourself a gorilla-style pod.
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Probably any good landscape opportunities I come across. Or maybe some city shots etc.

In all honesty I'm still a noob & learning as I go.
 
It depends on what you're planning on using it for. If you're going to be using it for any kind of long exposure shots then you will definately need a tripod, unless you have the kind of steady hands that your average military marksman would be jealous of ;)

I own a monopod and it's useful for helping steady your camera up a bit if you're shooting at long focal lengths or with slower shutter speeds. I don't have any heavy lenses (yet ;) ) but they help with them too.

All things considered i'd look at getting one when you're over there. When you get where you're going try and find a pawn shop and try your luck there. Buy from a pawn shop, use it for the 3 weeks then pawn/sell it back again.

Good luck on your travels :thumbs:

I didn't think of the buy and return it idea, but i believe wal-mart do have an absolutely no quibble 30 day return policy. And even if they do question your reasons for returning it just say you think it's rubbish, i don't see they can argue with that. But check their returns policy cos they may have it so you have to bea US citizen/residient or something. Even if that is the case i assume you have friends or family over there, get they to buy and return it.
 
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Unless your gear is very heavy I'd be inclined to buy a cheapo £30 job out there and just bin it or give it away before you come back.
 
Vertigo1 said:
Unless your gear is very heavy I'd be inclined to buy a cheapo £30 job out there and just bin it or give it away before you come back.
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I've ended up buying a really, really cheap ALDI tripod for £16.99. It's very light, I'm sure will last for 17 days & as long as it does the job fine.

I'm really anal about anything I buy whether it me photographic, AV, guitar related etc & normally take way to long researching so I've just bought cheap to see how it goes & if it gets dumped no real loss.
 
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