In article <32B8B2CE.4431@a1.tch.harvard.edu>, orourkee@a1.tch.harvard.edu says...

>To be honest, I've never used a monopod but it is hard to miss the
>pictures of hundreds of pro sports photographers with BIG glass standing
>at the sidelines of various athletic events with their cameras on
>monopods.

It may be because this is almost the ideal situation for monopod use -
where quick mobility is a must, where the physically long and heavy
lenses could not be hand-held for long periods (but can be kept "balanced"
on top of monopods comfortably ready for action), and where the one
direction of easy movement (and vibration) with a monopod (around its
axis) is slowed by the physical length and weight of long fast teles.
I do not find them very helpful with compact and light equipment, unless
there is some means of resisting rotation (with either a fold-down
"pedal" to step on, or fold-out short legs at the bottom of the monopod).
Hope This Helps