Posted by nobody special on 01/29/08 15:18

Frankly, I think a regular monopod would be better for you if you have
a bad back, since it will take ALL the weight off of you except while
you move it, but the camera and monopod combo is still easy to mover
around with. Good choice to shoot things like wedding receptions
without taking up the space of a tripod or calling too much attention
to yourself with a steadicam vest and arm.. . Saw a consumer monopod
at Best Buy last week for around $50, had an acessory attachment that
turns it into one of those hook-onto-your-belt steadiers you
mentioned. But you can't really do a good walking shot with that, and
it's putting the weight further in front of you, instead of onto your
hips, so that's still going to put strain on your back thru your arms.

See if the monopod will get the camera to your eye line before you buy
it: your back and neck will still hurt if you have to squat to get
your eye to the viewfinder. Taller monopods increase dramatically in
price, but when you have a good one, you'll be pretty happy. You can
get an accessory fooplate that attaches to the bottom of the monopod
and flips down; you stand on it with one foot and the monopod and your
legs all become as stable as a tripod, but not as heavy or bulky or
slow to pick up and move.

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