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Zoom Lens and Travel
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Jul 11, 2018 09:23:08   #
bcrawf
 
frjeff wrote:
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/1.8 prime and a 70-300 VR zoom. Also, have tripod.

Upcoming trip to AUS and New Zealand (and a Spring Alaska trip causing me a couple of concerns:

I can easily travel with this bag, but did not want to carry the tripod (luggage constraints). I have also found that I am very bad at holding the zoom steady when out to the 300 FL especially (74 years old). A recent Loon shoot was not as sharp as it could have been, even when leaning on a tree for added support. However, without the tripod, I am afraid I will miss a lot of fine shooting opportunities.

So, do I leave the tripod home and purchase a lesser zoom for the trip? Or, might I buy a Gorilla Pod and use the 70-300 with it. Not very familiar with the Gorilla products, so not sure if that even makes any sense.
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/... (show quote)


Go as you are now, possibly with a compact monopod (with ball-head and quick release), but set your camera for repeating exposure and take enough to up your odds. You should also now evaluate what ISO and other settings you have been using and identify your personal limit for getting a god photo. (Remember, of course, that a tele photo needs a faster shutter speed than used for a 50mm take.) You have the advantage of reading your EXIF data to see what settings you used on whichever images you choose to review, so you should be able to prepare nicely for your photography on the trip.

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Jul 11, 2018 09:27:56   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
frjeff wrote:
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/1.8 prime and a 70-300 VR zoom. Also, have tripod.

Upcoming trip to AUS and New Zealand (and a Spring Alaska trip causing me a couple of concerns:

I can easily travel with this bag, but did not want to carry the tripod (luggage constraints). I have also found that I am very bad at holding the zoom steady when out to the 300 FL especially (74 years old). A recent Loon shoot was not as sharp as it could have been, even when leaning on a tree for added support. However, without the tripod, I am afraid I will miss a lot of fine shooting opportunities.

So, do I leave the tripod home and purchase a lesser zoom for the trip? Or, might I buy a Gorilla Pod and use the 70-300 with it. Not very familiar with the Gorilla products, so not sure if that even makes any sense.
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/... (show quote)


Monopod, bodypod, facial stabilizer ......https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-269999-1.html

..


(Download)

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Jul 11, 2018 09:39:58   #
d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA
 
I have a lightweight, but full sized Monfroto tripod that I use with my zoom that extends to 400mm. I stuff the tripod in my checked luggage and have done so to about 7 countries and a number of other domestic travels in that manner. But there are times when I do not want to lug it around when walking. I take an extra handkerchief with me so that I can rest the camera on a tree limb, a parking meter, a wall, the rental car...any surface I can find, in order to steady the rig for the shot.

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Jul 11, 2018 09:48:06   #
classic320
 
Definitely bring the 300 zoom, or maybe longer. I cruised Alaska about 5 years ago with a 70-210 "beercan" and everyone loved the photos,but I wished that iow that a longer zoom would be much better. Is a 1.4x converter available? Also look into (or make) clamp on camera holder, and a "bean bag" to stabilize the longer.

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Jul 11, 2018 09:52:14   #
peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
 
When traveling, I've found no perfect way to steady a DSLR with a big lens.
Monopod: I love my Sirui P-326 with a decent ball/pan head; but it's sometimes too big to pack or carry and isn't tripod-stable. I also use:
Regular travel tripods: Benro Travel Angel, MeFOTO, etc. Great but often to big
Table top tripods: Ultra Pod II. Cheap. Fits in pocket. A marginal ball head with DSLRs with big lenses. No height. Hard to adjust.
Collapsible tripods: ZiPShot Mini Tripod. Cheap. Has height but marginal stability with DSLRs.
My favorite, for this week is my Neewer M225+CK30 tripod. Cheap. Very Sturdy, can hold my DSLR with a big zoom lens. Can carry by sticking one leg in my pocket. Downside is that its max height is 20"/50cm.

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Jul 11, 2018 09:53:12   #
Dug E Pi
 
Buy a tripod when you get there.

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Jul 11, 2018 09:53:40   #
lenzgroup
 
You have touched upon my favorite issue. As a member of the WestBridge Camera Club several members have moved from the big equipment Canon and Nikon promote and have looked at the Mirrorless lines of cameras. I just returned from a trip down the Columbia River. shot over 3,000 images with my Panasonic Lumix FZ200. (now replaced by the FZ300). The Camera weighs under a pound, Has German Leitz optics, 25 to 300mm zoom at a constant f2.8 and enough electronic switches with 15 presets to make you refer to the manual constantly. I print with a Canon Pro-10 printer and find the sharpness of the images excellent at 13x19". I do not use a tripod but find hand held dark shots at 1/15 very easy to hold. I've abandoned my backpack of hardware and the many shots i missed changing lenses. Check it out you may be surprised. Oh and the camera cost with the optics is under $400.00.

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Jul 11, 2018 09:53:50   #
jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419
 
frjeff wrote:
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/1.8 prime and a 70-300 VR zoom. Also, have tripod.

Upcoming trip to AUS and New Zealand (and a Spring Alaska trip causing me a couple of concerns:

I can easily travel with this bag, but did not want to carry the tripod (luggage constraints). I have also found that I am very bad at holding the zoom steady when out to the 300 FL especially (74 years old). A recent Loon shoot was not as sharp as it could have been, even when leaning on a tree for added support. However, without the tripod, I am afraid I will miss a lot of fine shooting opportunities.

So, do I leave the tripod home and purchase a lesser zoom for the trip? Or, might I buy a Gorilla Pod and use the 70-300 with it. Not very familiar with the Gorilla products, so not sure if that even makes any sense.
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/... (show quote)

A tripod will be important if you shoot early or late when the lighting is low, colorful, and/or dramatic. A monopod is not a replacement for a tripod. Monopods are most advantageous when the gear is heavy and must be held at ready for long periods of time, such as a sporting event. You can't hold a monopod steady for 2 to 20 seconds when shooting a sunrise or sunset.

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Jul 11, 2018 10:03:28   #
mstuhr Loc: Oregon
 
I echo others. Get a good monopod. They collapse and fit in a normal backpack, maybe the end has to stick out threw one of the zippers but no problem.

mike

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Jul 11, 2018 10:12:45   #
jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419
 
frjeff wrote:
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/1.8 prime and a 70-300 VR zoom. Also, have tripod.

Upcoming trip to AUS and New Zealand (and a Spring Alaska trip causing me a couple of concerns:

I can easily travel with this bag, but did not want to carry the tripod (luggage constraints). I have also found that I am very bad at holding the zoom steady when out to the 300 FL especially (74 years old). A recent Loon shoot was not as sharp as it could have been, even when leaning on a tree for added support. However, without the tripod, I am afraid I will miss a lot of fine shooting opportunities.

So, do I leave the tripod home and purchase a lesser zoom for the trip? Or, might I buy a Gorilla Pod and use the 70-300 with it. Not very familiar with the Gorilla products, so not sure if that even makes any sense.
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/... (show quote)

Here is an appropriate article that addresses your situation:
https://photographylife.com/landscapes/going-lightweight-for-photography-expeditions

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Jul 11, 2018 10:27:56   #
SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY
 
frjeff wrote:
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/1.8 prime and a 70-300 VR zoom. Also, have tripod.

Upcoming trip to AUS and New Zealand (and a Spring Alaska trip causing me a couple of concerns:

I can easily travel with this bag, but did not want to carry the tripod (luggage constraints). I have also found that I am very bad at holding the zoom steady when out to the 300 FL especially (74 years old). A recent Loon shoot was not as sharp as it could have been, even when leaning on a tree for added support. However, without the tripod, I am afraid I will miss a lot of fine shooting opportunities.

So, do I leave the tripod home and purchase a lesser zoom for the trip? Or, might I buy a Gorilla Pod and use the 70-300 with it. Not very familiar with the Gorilla products, so not sure if that even makes any sense.
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/... (show quote)


Alpine walking stick/monopod combo...especially for New Zealand terrain...

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Jul 11, 2018 10:28:05   #
Photo_Buff Loc: San Francisco Bay Area
 
Many sites in S.E. and S. Asia prohibit the use of tripods. However, there are just enough that do allow them that keeps me hauling one around. The bag has come in handy for "redistributing" your stuff for luggage weight restrictions.

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Jul 11, 2018 10:43:21   #
JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore
 
frjeff wrote:
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/1.8 prime and a 70-300 VR zoom. Also, have tripod.

Upcoming trip to AUS and New Zealand (and a Spring Alaska trip causing me a couple of concerns:

I can easily travel with this bag, but did not want to carry the tripod (luggage constraints). I have also found that I am very bad at holding the zoom steady when out to the 300 FL especially (74 years old). A recent Loon shoot was not as sharp as it could have been, even when leaning on a tree for added support. However, without the tripod, I am afraid I will miss a lot of fine shooting opportunities.

So, do I leave the tripod home and purchase a lesser zoom for the trip? Or, might I buy a Gorilla Pod and use the 70-300 with it. Not very familiar with the Gorilla products, so not sure if that even makes any sense.
My Nikon D5300 kit includes the 18-55 kit, 35mm f/... (show quote)


frjeff, I'm several years older than you and have found that a Tamron 70-300 mm on my Canon 60D (crop sensor) equivalent to +/-480mm is more than adequate, and I seldom push it over 250 mm(=400 mm) for the majority of my shots, including shots of the Alaskan glaciers from the ship which was probably 1/4 mile or so from the glaciers' shore line. I compensate for 'age shake' by using a faster shutter speed & ISO if necessary. I also took a 18-135 mm "walk around" lens for on board ship and in town shots. Twice I've taken a collapsible tripod that fits in a suitcase, but never took it out for three reasons: (1) It's a pain to carry all day, (2) with the typical tourist trip crowds, you won't have the room or time to set it up for your shots in town, and on ships it also transmits vibration to the camera--vibration control or not, and (3) I just hate using it. Most of your shots will be quickly considered actions, and not portrait type setups.

I do a lot of pictures from our boat of sail and power boat races never have a tripod, always with the 70-300 zoom lens, shutter speeds usually in the 1/750 - 1/1000 range and ISO set to Automatic with a top limit of 800.

Good luck and enjoy your trips!

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Jul 11, 2018 10:55:59   #
frjeff Loc: Mid-Michigan
 
OK, I decided to take the 70-300 VR outside and take a few shots of the fire hydrant in my front yard. Sole purpose was to work on hand held technique and see what I got (in terms of sharpness, clarity, color, etc. at various focal lengths). Figured I would be able to tell when the FL got too long for me to hold her steady. Shot at 70, 100, 135, 200 and 300. Pretty bright late morning sun, but ..
I am pleasantly surprised. I believe my shooting posture needed (and still does)work.
The three shots attached are at 70, 135 and 300. These are NEF images and do not look as good as the camera previews. I did not see any blur all the way from 70 to 300.
Maybe I will reshoot in JPEG and re-post.
What say all of you?







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Jul 11, 2018 11:08:28   #
JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore
 
Without being able to download them for closer evaluation; I can't see much difference between the 70mm & 300mm perhaps re-post and send them as attachments, but be sure to allow them to be downloaded.

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