Tripod vs Monopod

[htid]

I've been reading about tripods vs monopods for wildlife photography and it seems everyone has a different opinion. I currently own neither and want to get one but im at a loss as to which. I posted a thread of bird shots on here and was told a tripod is a must, however I have a beanbag for use in hides and many people seem to say a monopod is better for wildlife as its more manouvarable.

So im asking you, good people of TP, what do you use for wildlife, tripod or monopod?

 

[PauloWanClift]

Monopod. Easier to reposition and good especially for when walking about. I tend to lean to the left and right quite a lot when photographing, cant do that with a tripod.

 

[Smeghead]

If manoeuvrability is key, then obviously the monopod wins. Plus if it's mainly for wildlife, I would assume that's it's gonna be in bright conditions most of the time, so you're not really gonna need the extra stability of a tripod since you'll be using fast shutter speeds.

 

[tdodd]

I generally prefer a tripod to a monopod, whether shooting wildlife or anything else. In terms of stability it's no contest. When I'm shooting small garden birds at under 10' distance and DOF can be measured in mm then the tripod not only stabilises the lens, allowing slower shutter speeds and lower ISO, but it also means that my subject distance does not change by that crucial mm between focusing and taking the shot. In terms of being able to rest and relax between shots, or fiddle in your gear bag, it's no contest. If you like you can just extend one leg of a tripod for emergency use as a monopod, or use it as a bipod. That said, for wandering around a zoo for the day, I'll take a monopod as the tripod is too unwieldy and time consuming to adjust. Some tripods actually have one leg that can be removed to be used as a monopod - best of both worlds.

If stuff is moving fast, such as BIF, then hand holding and high shutter speeds are the solution.

 

[gerrard8]

I have both,i use the monopod more but i like the tripod the best if that makes sense....laziness sets in sometimes.