Handheld vs. tripod with the Great Whites

[eml58]

Cheetah IS....now that's something I never thought I would ever see

That's it !!, Cheetah IS, and for all those Canon Knockers saying Canon are no longer being innovative, Canon have brought "Cheetah IS" to the Market first, Take that Nikon !!! & Sony to.

[serendipidy]

Cheetah IS....now that's something I never thought I would ever see

That's it !!, Cheetah IS, and for all those Canon Knockers saying Canon are no longer being innovative, Canon have brought "Cheetah IS" to the Market first, Take that Nikon !!! & Sony to.

 

[Jack Douglas]

I'm completely in agreement as far as this idea having merit!  I will be trying to come up with some ideas this winter and if I do I'll post.  I have an upholstery machine so I can experiment quite a bit.

I like to brag how strong I am too but after refusing to put the 300 X2 down for several minutes because something exhilerating is about to happen, my arms have nearly collapsed. 

Never the less, after a good season of shooting I, like AlanF, like my freedom too much to go to a pod unless there is a very compelling reason.  And as much as I'd like more reach I simply won't be going heavier than 300.  I wonder if we could fill our lenses with helium. 

Actually I'm wondering what a 7D2 might achieve with my preferred light 300 X2 - any comment AlanF?

Jack

[Eldar]

Of course, another (though potentially more costly) solution is a very attractive assistant.

Seriously, given the length and weight of the kit, I still wonder about the bandoleer with a shoulder harness using the monopod, as you've shown.  Or, would that be too heavy making you want to lean forward?  Then a second body and lens on a BR?

One thing I tried, which worked reasonably well (in a no-stress situation), was to tilt the 200-400 lens downwards and have a strap I could tighten between the base of the tilhead on the monopod and the left shoulderstrap of the bandoleer. With the other lens on a BR, it worked reasonably well. But you have to stand quite still when you do it. Maybe combine it with a flexible strap to the backside of the shoulder strap could work.

[Eldar]

Perhaps we should be looking at stabilising the Subject ??

He he, why didn't I think of that

[pwp]

You don't need any assistance to hold a 300mm f/2.8L unless you are very weak.

That's great if you're Mr Muscles. Look around you. The reality is we're not all built that way.
For the rest of us, monopods offer control & stability particularly over a long shoot.

-pw

[AlanF]

I'm completely in agreement as far as this idea having merit!  I will be trying to come up with some ideas this winter and if I do I'll post.  I have an upholstery machine so I can experiment quite a bit.

I like to brag how strong I am too but after refusing to put the 300 X2 down for several minutes because something exhilerating is about to happen, my arms have nearly collapsed. 

Never the less, after a good season of shooting I, like AlanF, like my freedom too much to go to a pod unless there is a very compelling reason.  And as much as I'd like more reach I simply won't be going heavier than 300.  I wonder if we could fill our lenses with helium. 

Actually I'm wondering what a 7D2 might achieve with my preferred light 300 X2 - any comment AlanF?

Jack

Jack
My own experience, which matches that of others, my 5D3 outperforms my 7D for bird photography for much of, but not all, the time, despite the the crop factor disadvantage. Some of that better performance is due to the far superior AF of the 5D3. If a 7DII with an AF performance equal to that of the 5DIII and a better sensor does appear, I will definitely buy one as it should come into its own when you get close to pixel-limited shots.
Alan

[M.ST]

I am only willing to handheld lenses up to the 300 2.8 II or 400 2.8 II.

The 500 and 600 mm lenses I use with a Monopod or Tripod. The 800 mm and the 1200 mm lens I only use with a heavy tripod.

I like to play with Cheetahs, but they don´t have enough humor to get stabilised. Good Photoshop job Canon.

The Cheetah IS and the Canon price builders are very innovative, but where are innovative new products (cameras and lenses) that can compete with the products from other brands?

Maybe we see next year the innovative white 1D X or 5D Mark III.

[Click]

Cheetah IS....now that's something I never thought I would ever see

That's it !!, Cheetah IS, and for all those Canon Knockers saying Canon are no longer being innovative, Canon have brought "Cheetah IS" to the Market first, Take that Nikon !!! & Sony to.

    

[mackguyver]

Jack
My own experience, which matches that of others, my 5D3 outperforms my 7D for bird photography for much of, but not all, the time, despite the the crop factor disadvantage. Some of that better performance is due to the far superior AF of the 5D3. If a 7DII with an AF performance equal to that of the 5DIII and a better sensor does appear, I will definitely buy one as it should come into its own when you get close to pixel-limited shots.
Alan

I couldn't agree more and after a couple of months of using the 5DIII and 7D side-by-side, I opted to keep my 5DII as a backup body and sell my 7D.  No regrets.

[jhpeterson]

Using the Great Whites from boats and helicopters, I find the bandolier option a little scary, especially when things get bumpy!
I generally go hand-held, but sometimes use an Ergo-Rest reconfigured so it braces against the chest or shoulder. There's not much room up in the air for anything else.

[Vossie]

I am only willing to handheld lenses up to the 300 2.8 II or 400 2.8 II.

The 500 and 600 mm lenses I use with a Monopod or Tripod. The 800 mm and the 1200 mm lens I only use with a heavy tripod.

I like to play with Cheetahs, but they don´t have enough humor to get stabilised. Good Photoshop job Canon.

The Cheetah IS and the Canon price builders are very innovative, but where are innovative new products (cameras and lenses) that can compete with the products from other brands?

Maybe we see next year the innovative white 1D X or 5D Mark III.

Can you post a picture of your 1200mm rig on tripod? I would love to see it.

[WPJ]

I am only willing to handheld lenses up to the 300 2.8 II or 400 2.8 II.

The 500 and 600 mm lenses I use with a Monopod or Tripod. The 800 mm and the 1200 mm lens I only use with a heavy tripod.

I like to play with Cheetahs, but they don´t have enough humor to get stabilised. Good Photoshop job Canon.

The Cheetah IS and the Canon price builders are very innovative, but where are innovative new products (cameras and lenses) that can compete with the products from other brands?

Maybe we see next year the innovative white 1D X or 5D Mark III.

you have a 1200mm, can I ask how much you paid, and if you ever think of selling it ping me.

[Jack Douglas]

Thanks AlanF.  I am now patiently (as opposed to others not enjoying what they've got as much as me) waiting to see what my second camera will be.  Once the 7D2 is out (assuming), if that doesn't seem to offer what we hope, then I'll probably go 1Dx to get me the best AF and FPS.  I'm convinced that I'm not quite getting with my 300 X2 what others are with their longer primes but the difference is not enough to phase me.  In other words if I'm creative and persistent I can still compete to a fair degree.

I do have great admiration for those who pack the bigger lenses and of course great salivation when I see some of the shots they only can get, but at my age I won't be going there.

Jack

[JPAZ]

Hmm.  The "cheetah IS" got me thinking.  If this can lift a cat, then it can lift a 600 f/4.