Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

More photos with only a monopod to try to keep camera shake to a minimum. Using this sure keeps the weight off my shoulders and arms.

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docphoto Loc: Illinois

EXCELLENT PHOTOS !!!

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

Fantastic shots Jules

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

These are all excellent, Jules! Nice job! Do you like the monopod? I've only used mine a few times. I find it a little awkward, but I just need to get used to it. :)

mnpacker1 Loc: Mountain Lake, Minnesota

Nice pictures. I also use a monopod!

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Hi Patty:
This game was the first that I used it the entire game. I must say it will take getting used to. The up side is my shoulders and arms felt so much better after 7 innings.
It was a bit awkward at times but I will get used to it. The monopod is Manfrotto 681 b.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Thanks for looking Tom.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Thanks for looking mnpacker. I am getting used to it.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Superb captures Jules and wise choice on the Manfrotto 681 B... As you have discovered there are compelling reason's commercial sports shooters nearly always employ monopods with long glass... It's certainly not for the extra two stops of stability but rather the fatigue factor here... Yes at first it may feel strange but in time you'll forget it's even there... and it makes sweeping the field horizontally so easy... Experiment with height settings until you find your perfect comfort zone... takes a while but it's so worth it...

btw, those isolation shots of the pitchers are amazing! 1/3200 works magic in achieving razor acuity... I'm truly impressed at the lovely bokeh (out of focus area) in the forth image... at ISO 560 virtually no noise... The D500 sensor is certainly at its best here... Even at ISO 1100 in the second capture there is very little noise... Only at ISO 1600 (in the last capture) did a tad of noise show in the out of focus shadow areas... but this certainly would not be visible in 11x14 prints....

Also wise to shot at f/6.3... seems your 80-400 is stellar at that aperture...

Jules you're quickly becoming a very difficult act to follow here... lol
You certainly know your sport and have become one with your kit!

Thank you again for sharing...

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Hi Tomas:

You always have nice comments and when you give suggestions you do in such a way. Man your good.
I had a bit of a time getting used to the monopod but worth it because at the end of the game I wasn't beat up (shoulders and arms fatigue) wow what a difference.
Question: How do you get my settings from the photos?
Thanks in advance, your the best.
Another question: The camera and the monopod are not tight. There is a bit of movement when attaching the lens shoe. What do you suggest?

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Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

More superb images Jules...
" The camera and the monopod are not tight. There is a bit of movement when attaching the lens shoe. What do you suggest?"
This is a frequently pondered issue with that lens...

Here's Thom's take on this.... "The tripod collar, as usual for Nikon in the last two decades, leaves a bit to be desired. It's removable, which is nice if you're going to be hand-holding the lens, but it's the same old design Nikon has been replicating that requires you really tighten down the lock knob as much as possible in order to take all movement out. If you leave the knob even one iota lose, there is slop in the connection and mirror slap will move the lens during the shot..."

And his review... http://www.dslrbodies.com/accessories/lenses-for-nikon/nikon-lens-reviews/nikon-80-400mm-f45-56g-af-s.html
The lens shown in Thom's article has the Kirk Replacement Foot... it's been a crowd pleaser for quite a while now...
https://www.kirkphoto.com/lens-collar-for-nikon-80-400mm-f-4-5-5-6g-ed-vr.html

DSLR imagery contains EXIF data... I read this... as do many other working togs... many ways to do this... none are better/worse then the others... btw, I strongly recommend putting your copyright info in your D500 under the Setup Menu, Copyright Information (provide your data and set to ON) While the interface is a bit convoluted you have reached a level where it is becoming germane when posting full resolution... Hope this makes sense...

Oh, btw I have a Kirk Replacement Foot on my AF-S 200-400mm F/4 IF ED VR and totally love it... Rock Solid and SwissArca

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

In the copyright do I put my name in there. It says artist and copyright attach copyright info. Which one? Also on the mono the collar is loose the one under the head. I spin it around and it tightens but then looses up again. How about gorilla glue?

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

I put my name under Artist and under Copyright © 2017 my name (or your business entity name if incorporated).

Gorilla Glue? I would not go there... However I don't have that model monopod nor your lens so I'm actually not a good resource for you here...
I can only refer you to what I've researched (at one point I seriously considered the 80-400mm)

Maybe asking in the Main Forum might help but I would have some photo documentation since savvy togs there will likely ask for same...

One question I have for you is your AF settings for this last batch of baseball imagery...
If I every do spring for a D500 provided the price falls when the D510 comes out I would like to use your combo here...
They're obviously an AF winner :) But at $2365.95 for body w/ grip it's simply not an option now...

Thanks!

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I just did the copyright thingy. Thanks for that info. Why did I do that?
I have the Manfrotto 681 B no legs. Af 90 percent single at ac and sometimes d25 for the extra reach if I miss the single.
How do I private message you Thomas? I bought the 500 because 95 percent of my shooting is high school sports, I will be finish for the school year June 4th sad thing. Anyway I had to pay full boat for the camera 2,000 at B & H. The battery grip is a Nikon but went through Amazon and saved 150.00. The 80-400 4.5-5.6 vr lens I bought used from a club member for $1,000. My wife is understanding to say the least.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

I shoot baseball all the time (so far 37 games this year) and i always use a monopod to hold the weight of my rig.
sometimes I lower the monopod so that I have to kneel to get lower level shots but I always use the monopod.

I love it and it works great.