which is better for stabilization : a rig or a monopod ? for my canon 60d

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deleuze3

Well-known member
Hi, i plan to buy either a rig or a monopod for my canon 60d

OPTION 1:
Rig : http://www.ebay.com/itm/150970106536?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
(aputure magicrig video bracket stabilizer for hd dslr camera camcorder magic rig)

OPTION 2:
Monopod : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/967701-REG/benro_a48fbs4_a48f_classic_aluminum_monopod_s4.html

QUESTION 1 : Do you think the monopod would give me as much stabilization as the rig ?
QUESTION 2 : Do you think i still need a viewfinder if i use a monopod ?

thanks in advance,
Deleuze3
 
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Fot static shots it shouldn't be a huge difference, the monopod might be a bit more fluid for someone who is new to filming.

For moving shots there isn't a comparison really, and maybe is the deciding factor for you ?
 
for moving shot, the monopod would be better ? you can move the stick of the monopod and have a good stabilization easily ?
 
Moving as in walking (not tilting) it will not, here's where a rig is better. Also getting a different angles will be much easier with a rig.
 
deleuze3 said:
you use a rig for certain situations and a monopod/tripod for other situations?
Click to expand...

Yes of course with a tripod your more static, what use do you have a monopod/tripod when you have to shoot while moving (as in walking) ?


deleuze3 said:
Is there a big difference between this rig :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150970106536?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
And the more famous :Nanon running man (Redrock micro)
Click to expand...

Im not sure, i haven't held the aputure rig. The RedRock is more common for sure, and they have some more advanced rig's.

Their Nano is their simples and from holding i while it probably is of higher quality compared to more "unknown" brands i'm not sure how much of a difference it will make for someone just starting out. The aputure might be good place to start if your not sure if you need a rig to begin with.
 
I want to travel lightly since i travel by bus or airplane. I thought a monopod would be a good idea.
I usually shoot video featuring athletic women. I think monopod would give me proper stabilization.

I have a hard time figure it out in which situation you would need to walk with the camera... for more professional work, you mostly stay static, and move only in limited number of situations, no?
 
deleuze3 said:
I want to travel lightly since i travel by bus or airplane. I thought a monopod would be a good idea.
I usually shoot video featuring athletic women. I think monopod would give me proper stabilization.

I have a hard time figure it out in which situation you would need to walk with the camera... for more professional work, you mostly stay static, and move only in limited number of situations, no?
Click to expand...

Only you know what and how you shoot, that we can't help you with.:)

So if you'r planning on standing still a monopod will work, if you need to shoot while moving a rig will serve you better.

Professional has nothing to do with it if you move or not.
 
Although it's small that particular type of rig has no shoulder support and will become very fatiguing after 30 minutes to an hour, even for a young person. The quality of your footage will suffer as time goes on. If you shoot events or situations where you have to stand and shoot for a long time, you can't beat a monopod which will keep you steady and pain-free pretty much indefinitely. Be sure to have a quick release plate so you can pick up those occasional low shoots. Monopods also give you smaller footprint in crowds, you can pan the camera around in a much smaller arc.
 
I use the manfrotto fluid monopod and I'm a big believer in its utility. I do mostly short documentary style features for web/tv and there are very few times where I feel like I'm not mobile enough. It's easy enough to use that I can reposition and shoot very quickly with a lot of stability.

For me, it's mostly replaced my tripod save for interviews since I can do smooth pans and tilts. I can also use the swiveling base to do nice subtle camera moves that look very slider-ish and add some nice production value. It also gets quite tall which can be very useful, once I got an overhead shot of a golfer by extending it fully and booming it like a mic. For keeping up with people walking around it's not the best, but in a pinch I've gotten pretty good at walking with it and getting stable wide tracking shots, in essence turning it into a poor man's steadicam.

Overall, I've been really pleased with it and it's my most useful piece of kit besides the camera itself. I think when deciding between that and a shoulder rig, the main deciding factor is your shooting style. I prefer shots that are mostly locked off and have subtle motion to them rather than ENG style shoulder shooting so that is why I gravitate towards the monopod, but it's definitely a personal choice.
 
The Benro S4 monopod is well made, smooth-moving, and well-suited for shooting long takes because you don't need to support the weight of the camera.

I would have a hard time recommending the MagicRig because of quality control issues. Some have reported that their copy worked well, but the copy others have received have been unusable. Specifically, the MagicRig I received was misaligned and the clamps did not tighten enough, causing things to slip and shifter at every joint. Not good for stable shooting.

A rig or a monopod can both be effective for stabilizing shots. I use both in my work and choose one or the other depending on the shot. If you do longer static shots, I would recommend a monopod. If you do short shots and you need to change angles often, a rig would be more appropriate (needing to adjust the monopod's height to change angle can become tedious if you do it a lot throughout the day).

If you get a rig, I strongly recommend not going too cheap. Gini rigs are a budget-friendly option that is well built.
 
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