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Zoom Lens and Travel
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Jul 11, 2018 11:08:30   #
bcrawf
 
d2b2 wrote:
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.


Here’s my camera bag with my monopod (18 inches, including ballhead and quick-release mount attached). The bag’s flap and straps capture the monopod, plus a small carabiner is used at the head and a loop of line at the foot (held in a leg clip). The monopod works well with my full-frame Canon and a 100-400mm lens (with 1.4X extender). (NOTE: The ball needs to be set to moderately stiff and the camera handled “as if” being hand-held.) This has served well on a couple of European trips and various birding outings, though by knowing my camera settings (and limits) I do not use the monopod much.





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Jul 11, 2018 11:15:05   #
frjeff Loc: Mid-Michigan
 
OK, here are the three shots in camera JPG Fine: 70mm, 135mm and 300mm
Hand-held, seated. No PP
Pretty sure any lack of sharpness or blur is the OP; not likely that the hydrant is movin in the wind.


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

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Jul 11, 2018 13:00:49   #
CO
 
Gene51 wrote:
I am not a fan of monopods for stability, but boy are they amazing when you are on an assignment covering an all-day event. It is a mandatory piece of gear when I do horse competitions, which often are 12 hours long. A full frame body and a 100-300 F4 lens may not be all that heavy, but at the end of the day, if you are hand-holding only, they will feel like a 100 lb barbell, and your arms, shoulders, neck will feel like you went 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.

Haven't used a stringpod in a while. My VR lenses all me to shoot at impossibly slow speeds. Like my 150-600 Sigma Sport - 1/25 at 600mm.

Proper breathing and timing is the key. Breathe normally, and press the shutter by rolling your finger over it rather than pushing it down. Whenever possible, take the shot at the end of an exhale.

.
I am not a fan of monopods for stability, but boy ... (show quote)


I can see how, in your assignments, a tripod or monopod is a must. Maybe with practice, I could have gotten steadier shots with the monopod. I zoomed in on my photos and could see that, in the vertical direction, they were very steady. I always got motion blur from side to side.

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Jul 11, 2018 13:54:01   #
cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast
 
I bought a carbon fiber monopod that collapses short enough to easily fir my carry-on bag or my suitcase. "Never leave home without it." MIne is a Flashpoint product from Adorama, but I am sure others exist. Have fun.

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Jul 11, 2018 14:35:59   #
wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
 
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)


Rent an Olympus or Panasonic system for your trip. The IS systems are the best in the industry. I have four 2 second shots where I had to articulate the viewing screen straight down for "focusing" and "composing" while holding the camera at arm length above my head. You have no idea how hard that is. Traveling with something like the E-M5 mrII or the E-M1 mrII and the 12-100mm f4 Pro IS lense (24-200 equivalent) would solve two potential problems at once. It would more than likely compensate for your not being as steady as a tripod. And if you buy insurance coverage for the rental, your personal equipment can be left at home undamaged. It is only a suggestion but I believe you would find that it is actually a very good suggestion.

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Jul 11, 2018 15:31:09   #
rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
 
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)
I got around this problem by buying two things: a large Gorilla Pod and a Promaster tripod that collapses down to a size my suitcase will handle. Both seem to do the trick. I use the Gorilla Pod the least, but only because I'm more comfortable standing tall, which the Gorilla Pod doesn't facillitate. I'm lousy with a monopod, so I don't bring mine with me. Good luck, good shooting. (Oh, fyi, I shoot a Nikon D800E with a 28-300 lens.)

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Jul 11, 2018 16:13:48   #
Murray Loc: New Westminster
 
frjeff wrote:
Mine (OP) is the AF-P 70-300

Perhaps I just need to do a better job in my shooting technique. But, I am going to buy a monopod. Want to find one that is sturdy but will compress/retract to easily fit in carry-on..


I use Manfrotto mono & tripods. Good quality gear not outrageously priced. Enjoy!

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Jul 11, 2018 16:49:09   #
anotherview Loc: California
 
You may wish to practice pressing the shutter button slowly until it releases. You could also set the shutter on a timer, to go off on its own, with no involvement by your finger.
CO wrote:
I can see how, in your assignments, a tripod or monopod is a must. Maybe with practice, I could have gotten steadier shots with the monopod. I zoomed in on my photos and could see that, in the vertical direction, they were very steady. I always got motion blur from side to side.

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Jul 11, 2018 19:20:22   #
ecommons
 
Have you considered just buying an inexpensive tripod from Amazon and having it shipped to your hotel destination

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Jul 11, 2018 21:05:40   #
bcrawf
 
frjeff wrote:
OK, here are the three shots in camera JPG Fine: 70mm, 135mm and 300mm
Hand-held, seated. No PP
Pretty sure any lack of sharpness or blur is the OP; not likely that the hydrant is movin in the wind.


I cannot tell what ISO you used, but it seemed in the range of good quality (re. noise), so I'd say you are doing well and should not feel any need to load yourself down with gear when traveling. Granted there are times a person needs a tripod, but generally not for the usual daylight subjects.

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Jul 11, 2018 22:29:40   #
Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA
 
Shooting steady with a 300mm lens is not easy. I shoot a lot of video and am pretty good at hand holding cameras.
One option would be a very portable monopod. Or a zoom that works better for hand held shooting.
I am going make and outlandish possibility. We just went to Key West for a few days. I took my bridge Sony RX10 III 24 600 2.4-4.0
holds very well with steadyshot and an amazing Zeiss lens. This camera is amazing hand held 400 to 600 If your are careful.
Great stills. Great video. Great 4k video.
I know I am sending you a curve ball but if you but this the newer version IV has improved the AF.
Expensive camera the III is about $1300 the new camera with lens $1600/ Good luck.

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Jul 12, 2018 08:42:55   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
mizzee wrote:
Keep the zoom and switch to a monopod if you feel the need. I have a MeFoto one that’s light weight, yet sturdy! And, it fits easily into a carry on.


If you want to find out exactly how steady your tripod is, tape a laser pointer to your lens barrel, point it at a piece of paper on a wall as far away as you can get it from the camera, and trip the shutter, with your finger, shutter delay, mirror locked up, wireless or wired remote shutter, etc. And do it at different shutter speeds. I think you might find that most low cost lightweight tripods are not nearly as stable as they are believed to be.

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Jul 12, 2018 13:48:47   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
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)


If your shutter speed is fast enough, you need not concern yourself with monopods and tripods which, will end up causing you to lag behind others in the group. Not good.

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Jul 12, 2018 22:57:05   #
SierraP Loc: Eastern Sierras
 
Definitely go with a monopod. .Many have a wooden knob screwed to the top to make it double as a walking stick. At 74 it looks natural. At 83 mine works great and is less bulky than a tripod.

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