Tamron 150-600 G2 hand held vs tripod / monopod: Santa is considering bring me the Tamron 150-600 g2. The lens comes with a bundle I like for $1299 from one place and a Promaster 25...

bob1912

Santa is considering bring me the Tamron 150-600 g2. The lens comes with a bundle I like for $1299 from one place and a Promaster 25 Gimbal for $1299 from another place.

Question, is it worth getting the gimbal now because a tripod / monopod WILL be needed or can I buy time by getting the bundle and getting the tripod / monopod down the road because hand held is workable?

The promaster I think is a couple hundred dollars. Do I really need a gimbal like that, that is expensive when I am very much an amateur but would like to capture eagles, birds wildlife.......

Thank you in advance.

Bob

philo Loc: philo, ca

the gimbal is great for what you want to do and the price is right. when you buy your tripod buy a good one.

tomeb

IMHO this is not a lens to use handheld. You will need a (good) tripod and gimbal mount to photograph birds on the wing. Before buying a bundled item I would have a look at the 'Nest' equipment at 'Camera Cottage'.

fotobyferg

I love my 150-600 monopod/gimbel head combo, and have a Benro carbon fiber tripod for when I shoot moon, eclipse or other more stationary subjects. I’m a 60 something, smallish female with a bad neck, currently recovering from shoulder surgery and can’t adequately handle that lens without a support system. My monopod and tripod are both heavy duty ones capable of supporting large, long lenses and a camera with battery grip.

danersmiff

Bob 1912
I have a Sigma 150-500 lens with a 7Dmk II... I am an amateur, you can buy a much cheaper ball head from amazon that may get you to where you can by that gimble down the road.
I have one of these, and while a gimble is much better, this is sufficent support short term, sporadic use... (BTW my tripod is hell for stout)...

I have also used my monopod without a head... but the big lens and camera freehand, I am good for maybe 2 shots, then muscle tremble starts... hope this helps!!

https://www.amazon.com/koolehaoda-professional-Panoramic-Release-Maximum/dp/B00NMG86NC/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1512655749&sr=1-3-fkmr1&keywords=innerteck+professional+ball+head

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

I have the G1 of this lens. I took this Egret shot with it on a monopod resting in a chest pocket. I can hand hold it but beyond 400mm I cannot prevent it from swinging around and even a slight swing at 400 and above can translate to missing your target by several inches and it is hard to keep it trained on the target for long before your arm gives out. I use a monopod with a chest pocket and that eliminates vertical motion but it is still hard to prevent small horizontal swinging. The only way to keep it absolutely still and under control is a good tripod and ballhead or a gimbal head. The Gimbal is the best way to control a large lens. It bears all the weight of the lens and makes it effortless to pan and tilt, keeping the lens completely steady. That is why they are used by serious wildlife photographers and for AA guns and .50 cal machine guns. Look for Moose Peterson on YouTube where he explains how to properly use one. Check out the Manfrotto 393. There are a lot of reviews on YouTube for it. https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-393-Telephoto-Support-Replaces/dp/B0019HZZQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512657561&sr=8-1&keywords=manfrotto+393+gimbal+head

bob1912 wrote:

Santa is considering bring me the Tamron 150-600 g... (show quote)

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Do you own a tripod? Is the tripod sturdy enough for the new weight of Tamron 150-600 g2? Is the tripod compatible with a Promaster 25 Gimbal?

The decision making process starts with the weight of the camera & lens, followed by the tripod needed for the equipment, then the gimbal, not the other way around. You'd like to think everything is plug n play at anywhere in the equipment configuration, but in fact, they're not.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

bob1912 wrote:

Santa is considering bring me the Tamron 150-600 g... (show quote)

IMO, ths is NOT a lens for RELIABLY hand holding ......My first choice of support for what you and most people want to do would be using my bodypod. My second choice would be a monopod and my LAST choice would be a tripod . My head choice for the monopod and/or tripod would be a video fluid head over a gimbal.

ggttc Loc: TN

I have the G1 version of the Tamron 150-600 and on a D7100 the combined weight is almost 6lbs. Can I handhold it...yes...but holding it steady and tracking a bird in flight is a different matter...I found myself missing shots.

bob1912

I'm glad I asked. Thank you!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

imagemeister wrote:

IMO, ths is NOT a lens for RELIABLY hand holding ......My first choice of support for what you and most people want to do would be using my bodypod. My second choice would be a monopod and my LAST choice would be a tripod . My head choice for the monopod and/or tripod would be a video fluid head over a gimbal.

Having witnessed the convenient and effective flexibility you achieve with your various set-ups was a pleasure! Minimal weight, maximum movement and extremely cost effective.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

tomeb wrote:

IMHO this is not a lens to use handheld. You will need a (good) tripod and gimbal mount to photograph birds on the wing. Before buying a bundled item I would have a look at the 'Nest' equipment at 'Camera Cottage'.

I am saving up for a Nest myself.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

bob1912 wrote:

Santa is considering bring me the Tamron 150-600 g... (show quote)

Bob, I've had the Sigma Sport 150-600 for over a year, and I have yet to put it on a tripod. In fact, I went shooting for snowy owls with a friend, and I use my 600mm F4 and loaned her my Sigma. When the owl took flight, she got the good shots, which I fumbled around trying to avoid tripping over the tripod legs.

Use the much lighter G2 hand held - you'll get much better results. Besides, gimbals are optional with lighter lenses, but mandatory with heavy ones. The G2 classifies as a relatively lightweight tele.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

bob1912 wrote:

Santa is considering bring me the Tamron 150-600 g... (show quote)

I used my Tamron 150-600 on a tripod with gimbal head more than I did hand held. Set up to shoot out the door at birds around feeders and birdbath in the back yard. But when roaming parks etc. hand held worked* with high SS and looking for things to use as braces - fences, railings, trees, light posts etc. However people with low upper body/arm strength should go for tripod (or monopod, but I personally don't like monos).

*added pistol grip-about $15 on Amazon

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

DaveO wrote:

Having witnessed the convenient and effective flexibility you achieve with your various set-ups was a pleasure! Minimal weight, maximum movement and extremely cost effective.

Thanks Dave !

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