#1  
Old 31-07-2011, 06:26 PM
hotspur's Avatar
hotspur (Chris)
Registered User

hotspur is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: south east QLD,Australia
Posts: 2,867
Using a Monopod for birding-any advice?

Hello.

Just wondering if anyone here regularly uses a monopod,and if it improves your results in your field of photography?

I have had the loan of a Manfretto 676 'Digi',but I found it was not tall enough for me.My kids used it with there cam corders and it helped a bit.I the saw these Manfretto 681B monopods at footy,I had a go and thought they were good,and might be good for birding-so purchased one,I put a Manfretto 484 CR head on top,and its very tall,and solid.But I think it might be learning curve to get the best out of it,thought someone here might have some knowledge to get the best results out of it.

So far,I have felt that its a bit cumbersome,and takes up time.Its good at footy snipping away from the sidelines-great for human interest shots.

But,birds are much quicker than humans.if I had a Canon 100-400 L I think it would be needed,But the 400L prime is much lighter and not as long and I am wondering whether it will get as much use as I first thought.

Your suggestions and thoughts most appreciated.-Chris
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 31-07-2011, 06:51 PM
Dennis
Dazzled by the Cosmos.

Dennis is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 11,703
Hi Chris

I haven’t worked with a monopod for BIF shots so I cannot speak to that.

I have used a tripod with a Gimbal Mount when stationed by the seashore and then I just wait for the birds to approach. Generally, it can be fatiguing to constantly hold up, aim and follow without some kind of support and although the monopod would offer some relief from the weight of the camera/lens, it still requires you to hold and stabilise it so you can never really let go and rest in the quieter moments.

When I have gone purely hand held, it tends to be for spurts of activity with periods of inaction in between and I think that a monopod may have proven too restrictive on those occasions.

I guess it really boils down to your shooting location, what wildlife is present and how it is behaving. If a bird is reasonably static (ha – that’d be the day!) then I guess a monopod would help support the lens and restrict the range of movement.

I wouldn’t look to a monopod for support in the same manner as a tripod, more as a device to support the camera/lens to save your arms, neck and back!

Cheers

Dennis
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 31-07-2011, 07:13 PM
dannat's Avatar
dannat (Daniel)
daniel

dannat is online now
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Macedon shire, Australia
Posts: 3,426
Chris I don't get how you feel it's cumbersome? R u comparing it to hand hold? The problem with birds is the height I reckon..it varies a lot from ground to ree - the footy is usually at a constant level
I find tripods cumbersome to travel in bush though.
I have a pistol type grip head so it works easily/quickly with one hand.
R u lens mounting on monopod

Nither pods are great, hand hold is my preferred way,
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 31-07-2011, 07:16 PM
mswhin63's Avatar
mswhin63 (Malcolm)
Registered User

mswhin63 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Para Hills, South Australia
Posts: 3,620
I have a monopod, I don't use now as I am more into fixed photography. Mine has mini tripod legs inside.

I may sell it if interested.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 31-07-2011, 07:18 PM
hotspur's Avatar
hotspur (Chris)
Registered User

hotspur is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: south east QLD,Australia
Posts: 2,867
re monopod

Yeah,thanks Dennis-I appreciate your thoughts-as look up to you as a wildlife photographer.I should have given you a call-before I got this 681B.

As I feel,your comment "spurts of activity" is right.On the football field it was great to get those human interest photos,But I think in our field of interest might not be as useful as I thought.

No drama-The Manfretto 484 CR ball head came from the observatory and I did not purchase it for this episode,the monopod was $105 posted,and I have to return the one I have on loan,so the 681B might get a bit of use.

Cheers Chris
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-08-2011, 11:14 AM
Paul Haese's Avatar
Paul Haese
Registered User

Paul Haese is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 9,936
Been using a Monopod for some time now. An absolute necessity for long focal length photography of animals. It can take some time to be accommodated with it, how for shapr shots of birds this is the best device and more portable than a tripod.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-08-2011, 06:32 PM
hotspur's Avatar
hotspur (Chris)
Registered User

hotspur is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: south east QLD,Australia
Posts: 2,867
re mono

Not sure if I can be really bothered humping it about,Paul-may be right on dusk could be good.

I am finding,If I am taking my time and be calm,and take same approach as when I am hunting,I only fire a few frames when I feel is the best time,rather than just blazing away at high speed,and just hopping.I am getting some good results.

Here is a Yellow Robin image I took today,in the scrub with clouds,no IS ,speed 160 iso 800 F 8,I took ten frames over a few minutes,just took my time and waited,and fired,when the glint was in the eye,and thought this not too bad-hand held.

Cheers Chris

PS these monopods are very good for sports,and is up for sale =should anyone be interested give us a PM
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (IMG_0532 fith go.jpg)
173.8 KB70 views
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-08-2011, 02:06 PM
leon's Avatar
leon
Registered User

leon is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Warrnambool
Posts: 12,421
Very nice Chris, nice and sharp i reckon.

I don't use a mono pod, and reckon hand held is quicker, if your after birds, but that is just IMHO.

Leon
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 08:32 PM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement