Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

Sports Corner Rules
Sports Corner Resource

FM Forums | Sports Corner | Join Upload & Sell

Archive 2022 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

CanonShooter88
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

Hi All - what kind of padding / wrap / support are you using on your monopod to make carrying your body + lens more comfortable?

Oct 18, 2022 at 01:51 PM

crteach
Online
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

None - sometimes I put it over my shoulder to carry (and that does get uncomfortable at times) but I might also hold onto the lower part of the lens (by the foot) or the upper part of the monopod (by the plate connected to the lens foot) to carry it. The largest lens I have is the 300 f2.8 vI, so I'll be curious to see what other folks say...

Oct 19, 2022 at 07:53 AM

PureMichigan
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

I just eat A LOT, creating a layer of shoulder blubber that, like a whale, keeps me warm while swimming and is also useful as a monopod cushion.

For those not inclined to overeat in the interest of monopod comfort, AquaTech made a monopod wrap specifically for that purpose. They have seemingly phased out their"soft goods", but you can probably locate them on eBay at some point. It's called Aquatech Monopod Wrap.

I had one before I put on my blubber layer .. and while it was nice for walking with a large lens, it made the grip area of the monopod uncomfortably large.

Edited on Oct 19, 2022 at 11:07 AM · View previous versions

Oct 19, 2022 at 08:24 AM

Ray Swindle
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

What about a pool noodle?

Oct 19, 2022 at 09:05 AM

TooManyShots
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

Unless you are shooting with a 500mm or 600mm, or the 400mm f2.8, I don't see any reasons why you would need to use a monopod. Oh, this hasn't been discussed enough but if your "clients" seeing you hustling and "working" on the field, they have more respect for you than you sitting on a stool with a monopod holding a 70-200....

Oct 19, 2022 at 10:13 AM

cocodrillo
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

TooManyShots wrote:
Unless you are shooting with a 500mm or 600mm, or the 400mm f2.8, I don't see any reasons why you would need to use a monopod. Oh, this hasn't been discussed enough but if your "clients" seeing you hustling and "working" on the field, they have more respect for you than you sitting on a stool with a monopod holding a 70-200....

Depends what you're doing, but I can tell you from experience that holding up a 70-200 f2.8 for an hour straight to shoot the finish line of a triathlon is needless discomfort. Same goes for shooting large cross country races with a 300 f2.8. The shoulder fatigue gets in the way of shooting good images if you are tasked with hitting the whole race.

On the original question, I've got to admit that having the monopod over my shoulder has never bothered me, but then I also used to squat a lot of weight. The stick I'm using now is a Manfrotto aluminum one that has a bit of padding built into the top of it. Frankly, I'm happier to have that on cold, icy days to keep my hands/gloves away from the metal than as a consideration for shoulder protection. No judgements here... it just goes with what you are used to. What I don't like these days is how the foot on my 600 sticks off the end of the monopod and into my clavicle. I need to modify my carrying technique.

Oct 19, 2022 at 11:53 AM

daronk
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

I shoot a 300/2.8 on a monopod and have a pad. I only carry over my shoulder when walking long distance otherwise if moving only <30 yards I will carry with hand on lens foot and the monopod straight up in air (like crteach said). Easy to swing monopod end on ground to quickly compose a shot and I know I hold the lens securely. This is while shooting HS football so monopod is short and I'm kneeling when shooting.

Oct 19, 2022 at 12:44 PM

CanonShooter88
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

crteach wrote:
None - sometimes I put it over my shoulder to carry (and that does get uncomfortable at times) but I might also hold onto the lower part of the lens (by the foot) or the upper part of the monopod (by the plate connected to the lens foot) to carry it. The largest lens I have is the 300 f2.8 vI, so I'll be curious to see what other folks say...

Thanks @crteach! I'll be using a 1st-gen. 400mm f/2.8L IS (the one that weighs 11.8 lbs), so I'm looking for a shoulder solution

Oct 19, 2022 at 12:57 PM

CanonShooter88
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

PureMichigan wrote:
I just eat A LOT, creating a layer of shoulder blubber that, like a whale, keeps me warm while swimming and is also useful as a monopod cushion.

For those not inclined to overeat in the interest of monopod comfort, AquaTech made a monopod wrap specifically for that purpose. They have seemingly phased out their"soft goods", but you can probably locate them on eBay at some point. It's called Aquatech Monopod Wrap.

I had one before I put on my blubber layer .. and while it was nice for walking with a large lens, it made the grip area of the monopod...Show more →

@PureMichigan - haha legit 'shoulder blub' method

Just did a search for the AquaTech Monopod Wrap...out of stock everywhere, including eBay. However, I found another solution that I'm looking into. Will post at the end of the thread

Oct 19, 2022 at 12:59 PM

CanonShooter88
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

Ray Swindle wrote:
What about a pool noodle?

@Ray Swindle - Great suggestion, thanks!

Oct 19, 2022 at 01:00 PM

CanonShooter88
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

Oct 19, 2022 at 01:01 PM

CanonShooter88
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

daronk wrote:
I shoot a 300/2.8 on a monopod and have a pad. I only carry over my shoulder when walking long distance otherwise if moving only <30 yards I will carry with hand on lens foot and the monopod straight up in air (like crteach said). Easy to swing monopod end on ground to quickly compose a shot and I know I hold the lens securely. This is while shooting HS football so monopod is short and I'm kneeling when shooting.

@daronk - Great thanks for the reply!

Oct 19, 2022 at 01:02 PM

CanonShooter88
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

Thanks for the replies above, everyone! I just discovered the 'Lightware Monopod Leg Pad' on Adorama and decided to place an order. Screenshot & link below

(Note: B&H also has it, but currently on special order w/ 2-4 weeks wait time).

Link to item: https://www.adorama.com/lwmp100.html

Oct 19, 2022 at 01:07 PM

armstrong.photos
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

I shoot a lot of dance competitions etc - My 70-200 + D4S stays permanently on my monopod for these events, as they're 14 hour days for at least 3 days straight.

Don't get me wrong, for a single game or corporate event it'll hang on my BlackRapid strap - but there is always a place for a monopod.

Oct 23, 2022 at 04:08 AM

carl_g
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

You can use grip wrap for a tennis racquet. It’s available at almost any sporting goods store and it’s padded.

Oct 23, 2022 at 11:01 AM

StevePix
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Monopod Support | Shoulder Padding

A short section of foam pipe insulation will work well for you. This is commonly available from any home improvement, plumbing supply, or hardware store. It's available in different sizes for different size pipes so you can buy it to fit your monopod. It has a relatively small outside diameter but thick enough wall, and firm enough foam, to make the monopod more comfortable on your shoulder. And, it's usually dark gray/black so will blend right in.

Oct 28, 2022 at 07:39 AM


FM Forums \| Sports Corner \| Join Upload & Sell

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.