ac12
Mu-43 Hall of Famer
Well yes and no.I think that this is one of the best reasons for at least using a monopod. I mean, disregarding the steadiness issue, a monopod serves as a good support for your lens/camera while you're standing around waiting for those rare birds to fly within shooting distance. I think that this is why you see all those sport photographers on the sidelines with their giant lenses and monopods (besides taking up less room than a tripod, of course).
The monopod does indeed help with the weight of the heavy kits.
BUT, when I have to move and pan, the monopod gets in the way, of tracking a fast moving subject.
I have a very limited horizontal arc of coverage when I use a monopod. As long as the subject is within that small arc of coverage, like shooting the batter at home plate, I am OK.
For field sports (football, soccer and lacrosse), I use a monopod when I shoot the JV game, to rest my arms, then I go free-hand for the varsity game. It is MUCH easier to shoot free-hand.