Birding: So I have the new Tamron 70-200G lens with a 2x teleconverter, and am planning to go birding at a local wetlands in a few weeks. My question is, since I've not done this...

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

So I have the new Tamron 70-200G lens with a 2x teleconverter, and am planning to go birding at a local wetlands in a few weeks. My question is, since I've not done this before, is it better to use a tripod or monopod for capturing birds in flight?

Bill_de Loc: US

My first choice is a tripod with gimbal. Second choice is hand held. I could never get comfortable with a monopod or a ball head for BIF.

--

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

For bif hand hold if at all possible.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Nalu wrote:

For bif hand hold if at all possible.

What he said. ^

whwiden

Tripod: not good in most cases.. Hand held best. If you have some idea where birds might go, and you set up waiting for them to take flight, a monopod might be useful. I know others who like a gimbal head but I do nto have experience with one.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

OddJobber wrote:

What he said. ^

Ditto!

vonzip Loc: cape cod

A tripod with a gimbal head work well for me in this application. No problem following a bird in flight.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

So I have the new Tamron 70-200G lens with a 2x teleconverter, and am planning to go birding at a local wetlands in a few weeks. My question is, since I've not done this before, is it better to use a tripod or monopod for capturing birds in flight?

I have less experience birding than you do, so here's my opinion. Use a tripod with a loose ball head. A gimbal would be another good ($$) choice.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

Neither ! You won't be able to keep up with any but the slowest, largest birds on a tripod/monopod; believe me, i have tried ! Use a camera with
a good range of speeds, and practice, practice and more ! Learn to lead the target, and above all, shoot in good light, and you are halfway there.
Hope that helps a little.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

jeryh wrote:

Neither ! You won't be able to keep up with any but the slowest, largest birds on a tripod/monopod; believe me, i have tried ! Use a camera with
a good range of speeds, and practice, practice and more ! Learn to lead the target, and above all, shoot in good light, and you are halfway there.
Hope that helps a little.

Ditto. I use a Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens for birds in flight with my Canon 760D set to AI Servo focusing and burst mode.

MikWar Loc: Chicago, Western Suburbs

DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE SHOOTING. LARGE BIRDS YOU CAN USE TRIPOD. SMALL BIRDS JUMPING AROUND IN BUSH OR TREE HANDHELD. MONOPOD HELPS WITH WEIGHT BUT DOESN'T ADD A LOT OF STABILITY.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

So I have the new Tamron 70-200G lens with a 2x teleconverter, and am planning to go birding at a local wetlands in a few weeks. My question is, since I've not done this before, is it better to use a tripod or monopod for capturing birds in flight?

That Depends how close you will be to the birds and how active they are. If they are far away and birds are sitting, use a tripod. But, for me in Florida wetlands, birds are close and fly fast, hand held is the only way to go to get your bird.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

bif, hand held. distance and lens power are factors. too strong a lens and you'll have a hard time picking up the subject.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

So I have the new Tamron 70-200G lens with a 2x teleconverter, and am planning to go birding at a local wetlands in a few weeks. My question is, since I've not done this before, is it better to use a tripod or monopod for capturing birds in flight?

For that lens use tripod with ball head. A larger lens needs the gimbal. The tripod and ball head with wired remote when the birds are sitting, standing and floating. Unclamp and hand hold in flight.

shutterhawk Loc: Cape Cod

I shoot a lot of birds in flight and completely agree with the others here who have found tripods and monopods useless on all but the biggest, slowest birds. That being said, I do use a shoulder stock which I find a great help in steadying my D500 w/200-500mm lens (effectively a 750mm).