Yep, they're great in crowds, allowing you to get above everyone's head while maintaining at least a semblance of steadiness. Make your arms a triangle with the single leg and your monopod can be very stable on the ground. You can even use it as a poor man's steadicam by shortening the leg and "flying" the camera - not a great solution, but it can be fun.

On occasion, I use my Manfrotto monopod when a tripod can't be used due to bulkiness, weight, etc. Clearly it cannot take the place of a good tripod with a fluid head, but it does vastly improve on just holding the camera by hand. Since it is still possible to tilt the monopod sideways and forward, shots will not be rock steady unless you find something to brace/lean against like a railing, table, or some other solid structure. You can think of the monopod as a low-pass filter where high frequency motion is elimated and only slow changes occur due to tilt (unless your position is well braced). Also, a monopod takes up relatively little room and can be light-weight, especially if it is made of carbon-fiber, which is really nice when traveling. Bottom line: it is a useful piece of equipment to own.

Peter

I use a Manofrotto monopod with a Slik 'trigger-handle' ball head, video and stills.

If you effectively form a tripod by your stance it's pretty stable, but yes, any movement is sideways !

geoff

I often use my monopod for aerial shots and tuck the foot of the monopod into a compartment of my ''bum bag'.

Picked up two monopods at neweGG for 10/ea. Use them all the time with my NEX 5n.

You won't be sorry.

tom

Laurence is your go-to guy on monopods.
He has given me several great tips and techniques that I am still practicing.

I have never used a monopod but I was watching this video the other day and was intrigued by the Manfrotto monopod at 02:05. It has 3 feet at the bottom that pop out. By the way it's a useful channel to subscribe to.

[url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbOd5HvSnvo]

I've shared this before,

I sometimes use my mono pod on my shoulder or lightly press the foot just under my right collar bone hold the camera w/ my right hand, cup and support the cam w/ my left. I got pretty steady videos w/ my old point and shoot cam when I was starting to do videos, which had no stabilization and use this "rig" in tight locations w/ my one of my small video cams that doesn't have very good stabilization.

http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/bk-vegas/hakuba0001.jpg

I also use a version of this technique w/ my tripod which has more mass and helps with stabilizing but also can be a little fatigue because the tripod is heavier. I extend two legs just enough to rest on my shoulder and one leg is shorter to lightly press just below my collar bone.

I don't use these techniques as much w/ my TM700 because the stabilization is pretty good and post stabilization software.

Experiment to see what lengths or holding techniques work best.

@Nick Hope,

I love the "Press Pass" tip.

...Jerry

Arthur,
Thanks, I used to be a still photographer, but never used a monopod for that either. But you could use your head and body to steady, but with my new camera, there is no viewfinder so I have to hold it away from my body. Thanks for your opinions.

Dave T2

Baron Oz,

Never thought of using one that way, and since I am pretty sure, that is a helpful tip.

Thanks
Dave T2

Peter,

Thanks I have learned how to use walls and tables and such to steady, but these cameras just don't counterbalance as well. I have thought about adding some weight to it, but that probably would not help.

Thanks
Dave T2

Geoff,

Yeah I figure I will probably sway back and forth some until I get used to it.

Thanks
Dave T2

Biggles,

Thanks, not familiar with the term "burn bag". Can you elaborate.

Dave T2

Monoparadox,

Do you mind telling me what models you purchased?

Thanks for your input.

Dave T2

Musicvid,

Thanks.

Dave T2

Nick,

That Manfrotto would be great, but price is also a consideration for me.

I will look into it.

Thanks for posting the video.

Dave T2

I thought about using the tripod a bit as a monopod, but seems awkward.

Thanks for your input.

Dave T2

NewEgg has a 20% off coupon for tripods right now EMCNANC22.

It's looks like you can pick up a Dolica for ten bucks.

How can you go wrong?

Thanks for the newegg tip.
They are out of that one.

Dave T2

I have and use the Manfrottos 776YB (0,400 Kgs) and the smaller MMC3-01 (0,290 Kgs).

They are quite useful for travel walk-around-and-shoot video recording.
Often I do not have time to pull out the leg sections - but then having the camera mounted onto the not extended monopod already does stabilize noticeably - and is somewhat acceptable together with the cameras Sony Active Steadyshot stabilization - and the dreaded motion blur is kept within limitations...

Recording at more than some 50 mm focal length (35 mm equiv.) does require at least an extended monopod on firm ground, of course.

I use the Manfrotto 560B and as others have mentioned, it is very useful for "aerial" shots. Another thing I've used it for is "low level walk throughs". The camera is hanging below the monopod a foot off the floor as I walk through a crowd. In post I just invert the footage to get it right side up and it looks pretty interesting.

/jerry