Shaky Footage? How to Get STABLE Monopod Shots for Video

Are you tired of dealing with shaky or unstable monopod footage? Looking for a way to get solid monopod shots for video, that look either as steady as a tripod shot, or as smooth and free-flowing as handheld motion?
In this tutorial, I'll walk through how to get stable footage when shooting video with a monopod, utilizing a variety of points of contact and general techniques to achieve this. These same techniques are the ones I use on a day-to-day basis shooting with monopods for weddings, corporate work, commercials, etc., and should provide you a good foundation for getting stable shots.
I'll specifically demonstrate this using my Sony a7 III, but this applies to those with newer cameras with better stabilization (e.g. Sony a7S III, FX3, a1, a7 IV), and those with select cameras from BlackMagic, Canon, etc. or other cinema cameras that don't have stabilization as well. I'll also use my iFootage Cobra C180-II as the example monopod for this video, but these techniques are applicable to other monopods from Manfrotto, Benro, Sirui, or almost any make and model.
If you like tutorials like this, feel free to subscribe and let me know in the comments below!
iFootage Cobra C180-II: amzn.to/3r8kfPY
Manfrotto MHXPRO-2W Fluid Head: amzn.to/3o9uu4p
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My Current Kit:
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Cameras & Lenses:
Sony a7S III: amzn.to/3Gd87kK
Sony a7 IV: amzn.to/3g3Ipoq
Sony a7 III: amzn.to/3GcEX5x
Sony 20mm f/1.8 G: amzn.to/3AE7pMt
Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM: amzn.to/3m2GbIT
Sony 16-35 f/2.8 GM: amzn.to/3AryrbN
Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM II: amzn.to/3OWeb6k
Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM II: amzn.to/3IPSge6
Audio:
Rode VideoMic NTG: amzn.to/3AJwTrW
Tascam DR-10L: amzn.to/3AIRA7l
Zoom H6: amzn.to/32HCgep
Sony TX660: amzn.to/3PwQeTH
Lighting:
Aputure LS 60x: amzn.to/3Gc04og
Aputure Amaran P60c: amzn.to/3ob7qm6
Aputure Amaran AL-F7: amzn.to/3g3IzMy
Aputure MC: amzn.to/34l8DzS
Tripod/Monopod:
Manfrotto 290 Xtra 128RC: amzn.to/3o8bPpV
iFootage Cobra C180-II: amzn.to/3r8kfPY
Affiliate Disclaimer: The above links to products may contain affiliate links, which may earn me a small commission as an Amazon Associate. Amazon and all related Marks are Trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

[@JPC009]

Exactly what I was looking for-just got a Cobra 180 II and I’ve only used tripods and handheld before

[@andrewsaraceni]

Thanks, and congrats on the purchase!

[@earlgreybeard]

I already own the Manfrotto, but this is really helpful advice for any monopod. Given these tips plus all the stabilisation now available in lenses, cameras and software, I may just give this another go for video work. Many thanks.

[@andrewsaraceni]

No problem, glad to hear it's helpful to you!

[@_brushie]

I saw that clip of the top handle mounted into the hot shoe and made me so worried. I don't think most hot shoes on camera bodies can handle too much weight or else it could warp the metal tabs that hold flashes and such to the shoe.

[@andrewsaraceni]

It's definitely something you wouldn't want to use for the heaviest of camera rigs, but it works fine for a lot of smaller setups.

[@timothyawe5103]

Thanks for the tips

[@andrewsaraceni]

No problem, Timothy!

[@lazdafilms]

Nice tip with that handle!

[@andrewsaraceni]

Thanks Sandis!

[@DNICTimor-LesteTV]

brother i need monopod support for Sony av

[@iCanoe_]

Hi Andrew. Excellent content! Subbed. I have never used a monopod and am now considering one for video. I have noticed that v3 of this tripod only tilts to 40 degrees rather than 90. Do you see this as a significant creative constraint? Which one would you get? Cheers!

[@andrewsaraceni]

Thanks for the sub! I actually have a recent review on the Cobra 3: th-cam.com/video/1-pnBIiHl10/w-d-xo.html It's only the foot pedal base that has that limitation, you can still get the knob version with the greater tilt range, but I think the tradeoffs are worth it for the pedal one.

[@iCanoe_]

@@andrewsaraceni thanks for the recommendation.

[@nebulabass]

Hi Andrew. I have been using a large tripod to record rock concerts in small venues. I have gotten some complaints asking me to move my tripod farther away from the stage. I am thinking of getting a gimbal. Do you think a gimbal would work well for recording these shows?

[@andrewsaraceni]

Are you just using one camera? Gimbal is fine for roaming around (I usually do a handheld angle for that) so long as your arms hold up over time. But obviously for multi-cam coverage, you'd still need tripods, etc.

[@nebulabass]

​@@andrewsaraceniYes I am using one camera. I'm thinking that I can use a gimbal to get close to the stage. I have been told to move my tripod to the side or to the back of the room.

[@nebulabass]

​@@andrewsaraceni I would have to hold the gimbal for a long time. I was thinking of getting the DJI RS3 mini or the bigger RS3 and using a shoulder strap if I get the bigger one. Do you have any thoughts about that? I have never used a gimbal.

[@andrewsaraceni]

@@nebulabass A gimbal should work well. I have the RS3 myself and it's great, though I usually use it off and on during a gig (e.g. weddings) vs. for hours at a time. RS3 Mini might be a bit easier on your back/arms if you can confirm it handles the payload, camera/lens combo you'll be using it with.

[@nebulabass]

​@@andrewsaraceniThanks for answering my questions!

[@kimberlytaylor2303]

Andrew how do you orbit with a monopod?

[@andrewsaraceni]

Can you describe what you mean by orbit?

[@kimberlytaylor2303]

The opening shot. To me almost looks similar to an orbit.. or smooth arc. How did you create that movement? @@andrewsaraceni

[@andrewsaraceni]

@@kimberlytaylor2303 Ahh, it's a left to right pan with the head, while keeping the monopod still. Using a tighter shot/lens.

[@kimberlytaylor2303]

Awesome! Going to practice that. Thank you!@@andrewsaraceni

[@IMDABROWN]

👍👍👍

[@andrewsaraceni]

Thanks!

[@kevinpowers9024]

Can you put a gimbal on it?

[@andrewsaraceni]

I think you could, but it depends on the size/weight of the camera package, and I wouldn't leave it unattended.

[@kevinpowers9024]

@@andrewsaraceni I have a Sony ZV1 and a Zhyiun M2S gimbal

[@andrewsaraceni]

@@kevinpowers9024 Yeah, I think a good monopod could certainly handle that.

[@어바닉그라인더]

잘보고갑니다.

[@andrewsaraceni]

감사해요!

[@FOOKyourFEELINGS]

I have a a6000 with no image stabilization.
The lens I'm looking at is a 70-200 f.2.8 with also no image stabilization......
Do you think with a monopod I could shoot indoors in low light?
Thanks.....👍🏻

[@andrewsaraceni]

I don't think you'd have an issue personally, though you may need more than f/2.8 depending on how dark the room/scene is. Also curious because most 70-200s have IS, unless you're adapting glass from another manufacturer.

[@FOOKyourFEELINGS]

@@andrewsaraceni
Absolutely, I should have mentioned.
I'm bidding in a Sony converter to allow A mount glass.... It's allot cheaper! In a ideal world I'd love IS but have to go for next best
Many thanks for getting back to me. 👍🏻