Harry P wrote:
Hi,
I have not posted on here for a few years! During the Covid lockdown I purchased a Sigma 150-600mm telephoto lens for my Nikon D5100 with money I saved up a long time for. Obviously because I bought it during the lockdown and that air shows across the planet were cancelled, I haven't used it for air shows yet, but I finally will be at RIAT 2022
I am quite a slim man, I'm 23 and don't have that much muscle haha! And I think I may have a bit of an issue with holding it still enough for when I am shooting prop/rotor aircraft where I'm using a slower shutter compared to photographing jet's. I'm curious if any experienced air show enthusiasts have any recommendations for good tripods to use as it is a bit of a heavy lens! The zoom on this lens is a little awkward turning your hand quite a bit from 150 to 600mm but I think at RIAT 2022 I wont need to go below 300mm which should be helpful!
One tall tripod that I have had my eyes on recently is a K&F Concept K234A7+BH-28L (pretty sure that's the model number for it!) its quite tall which is nice as I have another tripod from the same brand that I like to use for Nature, but its not at my height and I have to lean down to look into my Nikons viewfinder which isn't exactly comfortable. This tripod has a ball joint on the top for moving the camera around to different viewpoints! the only issue I can see is that it is made with aluminium and I have heard you should really use a tripod that's made from carbon fibre.
Would any experienced air show enthusiasts on here recommend this particular tripod or is there a different tripod that I should look at? I look forward to peoples opinions!
Many thanks
Harry
Hi, br br I have not posted on here for a few ye... (
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Rather than a tripod, I would recommend you get a monopod and fit it with a monopod head. That type of head only provides a tilt, which you will want to leave "loose" while shooting air shows. Panning movements are simply done by rotating the entire rig. Just be sure it's tall enough monopod so that you are comfortable shooting with the camera and lens aimed upward. It needs to be taller than what people would normally use for, say, wildlife or sports photography.
I assume this is the tripod you were looking at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VRPVQS3/ref=twister_B0986XJNLB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1Most "affordable" tripods will be no sturdier than a monopod anyway. For example, that K&F Concept tripod requires you extend the center column A LOT to reach that 78" height. That defeats the whole purpose of the legs!
And you'll no doubt be using a fairly fast shutter speed anyway, so it's not about a stable platform so much as just so you aren't trying to handhold the weight of the camera and lens for long periods of time.
A monopod will leave you more mobile too, which I imagine you will need to be at an air show.
Here are monopods 75" tall and taller:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Monopods-Unipods/ci/397/N/4075788738?sort=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&filters=fct_maximum-height_1446%3A75in%7C80inAnd here are monopod heads:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Monopod-Accessories/ci/398/N/4075788737?sort=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&filters=fct_accessory-type_3438%3Aheads&searchWithin=arcaAll those heads use an Arca-Swiss style quick release system. Your lens might have a dovetail built into the handle compatible with this. Otherwise you would need to buy a "lens plate" that attaches to the lens for this purpose. If you do need a plate, make sure it's one that has anti-twist features, such as two attachment bolts.
Besides, if you are trying to keep the price around $100, you'll get a lot more for your money with a monopod! And it will weigh a lot less that a tripod, regardless of what materials are used.
EDIT: Several have mentioned using a gimbal head, which is a possibility. You would definitely want one on a tripod (much better than a ballhead for large lens work). I have never used one on a monopod, but here are some of the most affordable, FYI:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Oben_GH-30_Gimbal_Head_vs_Movo_Photo_GH800_Carbon_Fiber_Professional_Gimbal_Tripod_Head_vs_Neewer_GM100_Professional_Heavy-Duty_Carbon_Fiber_Gimbal_Tripod_Head_vs_Magnus_GH-M1_Gimbal_Head/BHitems/1379234-REG_1500864-REG_1695054-REG_1458852-REG