Should a monopod extend to your eye level?
Asked 11/19/2011
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2 answers
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I’m 189 cm (6'2") tall and many monopods I’m considering only extend to about 150–160 cm. Once I add the camera, the viewfinder can still end up a few centimeters below my eye level when standing upright.
Is it important for a monopod to reach at least eye level in normal use? For example, if the mounted camera leaves the viewfinder about 5 cm below my eye, is that likely to be uncomfortable in practice? I’d like advice from people who use monopods regularly.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
7
I've found that I like my monopod tall enough so that the viewfinder is pretty much exactly at eye level. If it's much lower than that then I find that after only a short period of use, my neck starts to cramp. It should also be noted that if I'm shooting something above me (birds in flight for instance) then I'll tend to have the viewfinder above eye level, so I can look up through the camera without having to crouch, so in my case I like the monopod to be capable of extending about 5-10 cm above eye level.
Originally by user583. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user583
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For many people, yes: a monopod that brings the viewfinder to about eye level is more comfortable for extended use. If it’s noticeably too short, you may end up bending your neck or hunching slightly, which can become tiring quickly.
Based on the experience shared, having the viewfinder roughly at eye level is ideal, and a little extra height can be useful. If you often shoot upward—such as birds in flight—a monopod that can extend 5–10 cm above eye level can be even more comfortable, since it lets you look up through the camera without crouching.
So if a setup leaves the viewfinder about 5 cm below your eye, that could be bothersome, especially during long sessions. If comfort matters and you’ll use the monopod a lot, it’s worth choosing one tall enough for your height and shooting style.
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