Hand Holding 300mm and up

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

The professional opinion Jay is we would like to see your face in the 300 f/2.8 photos and if they match up to you avatar our profound apologies are proffered and we look forward to some spectacular photographic offerings in the future from you.

You are in line for some great journeys and hopefully this forum will benefit from your marvelous contributions in the coming months.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Jay, I am still quietly awaiting some images from your wonderful gear, are they likely to be posted in the near future?

The photos of you with your 300 f/2.8 do not match up with your avatar, measurements of shoulder width and hair line are suspect and no full facial shots make my ex police mind weary?

Am I simply being a fraction paranoid?

I hope so as these photos are going to some very qualified forensic chaps and Jay I do hope I am wrong and look forward to your Antarctic sequences.

[Jay Gould]

You are in line for some great journeys and hopefully this forum will benefit from your marvelous contributions in the coming months.

There is a wonderful expression in many many languages:

FROM YOUR MOUTH TO GOD'S EAR! :D

[Michael Lloyd]

I routinely hand hold my 600 f4 BUT I prefer to use a tripod. Brian outlined a technique similar to what I use when I hand hold any long glass. It takes practice to be able to hand hold long glass but its handy to be able to do so. I chose to shoot from a tripod and Wimberly at Bosque last year for most of my shots but sometimes (like straight up and down low) it's nice to have the flexibility of being able to hand hold.

When I shoot night high school football I use a 300 f2.8L IS on a EOS1DsMKII (or MKIII depending on the field lighting) and a 70-200mm f2.8L IS attached to a 1DMKIII. Sometimes the 300 is mounted to a Gitzo carbon fiber monopod and as the action gets close I let it fall into the crook of my arm and swing the 70 -200 up (gotta be quick :D ). Sometimes I forget the monopod in the truck because I am running late so I have to handhold the 300 but compared to the 600 that's not much of a task. One or the other is in my hands at all times. What I'm not holding is hanging from the strap.

[Jay Gould]

One or the other is in my hands at all times. What I'm not holding is hanging from the strap.

Michael, for the big glass on a strap, are you using a standard camera strap of one of the shoulder harness types? Thanks for the info.

[Michael Lloyd]

I've had the straps for so long Jay that I don't remember the brand. They are padded and have non-slip "bumps" on it. They also have quick release clips. They aren't shoulder harnesses.

[William Malacarne]

I've had the straps for so long Jay that I don't remember the brand. They are padded and have non-slip "bumps" on it. They also have quick release clips. They aren't shoulder harnesses.

It may have been one of these.

http://upstrap-pro.com/Merchant2/mer...vc?Screen=PLST

Bill

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

FROM YOUR MOUTH TO GOD'S EAR!

It is amazing how much Yiddish one picks up when on UN duties in the Golan Heights.

"פֿון דײַן מױל אין גאָטס אױערן

[Michael Lloyd]

It may have been one of these.

http://upstrap-pro.com/Merchant2/mer...vc?Screen=PLST

Bill

No but that's a heck of a strap!

[Jay Gould]

It is amazing how much Yiddish one picks up when on UN duties in the Golan Heights.

"פֿון דײַן מױל אין גאָטס אױערן

I'll bet you have a few stories to tell - now I have a reason to visit Melbourne with Jackie! I will jingle your chain when I am going to be in the area!!

:D :D

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

I'll bet you have a few stories to tell - now I have a reason to visit Melbourne with Jackie! I will jingle your chain when I am going to be in the area!!

:D :D

You will be more than welcome Jay and Jackie and my wife Susan and I will personally take you to some great photographic sites which will give your great lenses some taxing duties.

Not joking Jay, I will welcome you. Our wetlands are suburban. Our coastal sites interesting and challenging and our Ornithologist here are first class.

We may not be up to the “Birds as Art” standard of Artie and our great members at BPN, but we do know our birds and are gradually learning more about putting them on digital images and thanks to Artie et al we will get there in time.

We have the technology now we are working on the technique.

[Arlon Motsch]

You might consider a monopod in a fanny pack drink holder. I shoot that way a lot with my 500/600mm. It gives me decent freedom to move around since the monopod base is attached to me and not rested on the ground. I keep the head pretty loose so I can swivel and move around rather easily. Not as much freedom as hand held but a decent compromise.

The monopod in the drink holder is also very easy to get out for that odd bird that goes flying straight over head. Shooting the whole rig unsupported works fine for a few shots but it gets heavy in a hurry.. (-:}

I hand hold the 500mm on occasion too. I just assume a classic rifle shooters hold with the tripod foot resting on the palm of my hand and my elbow perched on my hip. AF-S lens so I don't have any issues with the focus ring getting in the way. Better yet it to sit when ever I can and use my knees for a rest..

[Arlon Motsch]

The fanny pack/drink holder also balances really well for walking about.. Much more comfortable to have the weight on my hips rather than a tripod or monopod slung over my shoulder. Probably a lot less stress on the monopod head too..

Here's my carrying position:

[Jay Gould]

Arlon, thanks for the thoughts and taking the time to make the images. I like it for use when I am in Australia. I am carrying so much gear that I hesitate to add a monopod in addition to the tripod when traveling - next month we are off on a six month adventure to South America.

Welcome to BPN; looking forward to your images and participation. Thanks again,