I vote monopod. I have the 100-400 and most of the time I have my Gitzo GM5561 attached. Quite often I am shooting fleeting, fast moving subjects like birds and other wild animals so there is usually little time to set up a tripod.


When going on long hikes the monopod makes carrying the lens & camera on your shoulder very easy. Even when hand holding the extra weight and mass of the monopod hanging down further stabilizes the lens... but at the expense of your arm muscles.