Carrying big lenses
Oct 14, 2019 08:04:08 #
Looking at buying Nikon 200-500 lens that weighs 5lbs. That on my d850 will be quite a load. Are there any suggestions of how to carry this load afield? I will be using monopod/tripod for photos.
Oct 14, 2019 08:15:20 #
cliodiver wrote:
Looking at buying Nikon 200-500 lens that weighs 5lbs. That on my d850 will be quite a load. Are there any suggestions of how to carry this load afield? I will be using monopod/tripod for photos.
That lens, along with other similar lenses, has a 'foot' for mounting on the tripod/monopod. That 'foot' can be used as a carrying handle to get from one setup to the next. If you need to walk or hike some distance, you may want a backpack for all the gear.
Oct 14, 2019 08:18:17 #
cliodiver wrote:
Looking at buying Nikon 200-500 lens that weighs 5lbs. That on my d850 will be quite a load. Are there any suggestions of how to carry this load afield? I will be using monopod/tripod for photos.
A large backpack. A 5 pound lens may not be as big as you think it will be, I have a 100-400 that is quite easy to manage, I also have a 300mm f/2.8 that is very usable handheld even with extenders. I did have a 500mm f/4 prime that was a bit too much but that lens was much larger and heavier than any zoom lens I have ever seen in person, I know that Sigma had a 200-400 f/2.8 that you needed a crane to lift.
Oct 14, 2019 08:19:00 #
A well-padded shoulder strap may work for you. Even though only 5 pounds, the gear load will prove uncomfortable as time passes in the field. I've been satisfied with shoulder straps from this outfit: https://optechusa.com/
Good luck.
Good luck.
cliodiver wrote:
Looking at buying Nikon 200-500 lens that weighs 5lbs. That on my d850 will be quite a load. Are there any suggestions of how to carry this load afield? I will be using monopod/tripod for photos.
Oct 14, 2019 08:37:45 #
" Are there any suggestions of how to carry this load afield?"
I would say with a lot of enthusiasm if indeed you want to use the lens. I have heard in the past owners of this lens to complain about the weight. Photographers using mirrorless cameras are happier carrying the lighter load. I have not used my mirrorless cameras that have an AF system with contrast detection for action or wildlife and I have no experience with those mirrorless bodies that have phase detection in their AF. I will leave those comments to someone using those cameras.
I know the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 VR is a very good optic and as I said you have to happily carry it or leave it at home. Another option would be to hire someone to carry the load of your gear which is not that difficult in a third country. Here in USA I do not know how easy it could be.
What I am saying is that if you want to use the lens you will have to figure out a way to carry it.
I would say with a lot of enthusiasm if indeed you want to use the lens. I have heard in the past owners of this lens to complain about the weight. Photographers using mirrorless cameras are happier carrying the lighter load. I have not used my mirrorless cameras that have an AF system with contrast detection for action or wildlife and I have no experience with those mirrorless bodies that have phase detection in their AF. I will leave those comments to someone using those cameras.
I know the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 VR is a very good optic and as I said you have to happily carry it or leave it at home. Another option would be to hire someone to carry the load of your gear which is not that difficult in a third country. Here in USA I do not know how easy it could be.
What I am saying is that if you want to use the lens you will have to figure out a way to carry it.
Oct 14, 2019 08:40:08 #
cliodiver wrote:
Looking at buying Nikon 200-500 lens that weighs 5lbs. That on my d850 will be quite a load. Are there any suggestions of how to carry this load afield? I will be using monopod/tripod for photos.
I bought this Black Rapid strap and love it for that same lens. A little pricey but worth it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LFODBW8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Oct 14, 2019 08:58:10 #
I have a Tamron 150-600 on my A7RIII. Gitchigumi suggested carrying it by the "foot" which is how I usually carry mine. A padded strap would help but, the lugs on your camera weren't designed to take that kind of load.
Oct 14, 2019 09:43:49 #
cliodiver wrote:
Looking at buying Nikon 200-500 lens that weighs 5lbs. That on my d850 will be quite a load. Are there any suggestions of how to carry this load afield? I will be using monopod/tripod for photos.
I like to carry my lens and camera ready to use. That means my hood is always installed and ready - so that means using a larger than "normal" casing. Also, I would suggest that you get for that lens a smaller than the OEM hood - a screw-in metal hood that is easier to accommodate in a case. I like and use this case with a 300 2.8 and my camera attached with the hood ready - https://www.ebay.com/itm/DSLR-Telephoto-Lens-Pouch-Tamron-Sigma-Camera-Bag-150-600mm-Nikon-200-500mm/132590510316?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372
I also recommend using an auxillary lens stabilizer/support like this one because of the poor tripod collar - https://www.ebay.com/itm/L200-Telephoto-Lens-Support-w-Moveable-Quick-Release-Plate-Camera-Bracket-Holder/362588202614?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372 - when properly installed, this bracket also serves as a carry handle - but you must remove this bracket to fit in case - but it uses the Arca/Swiss QR system so not a problem.
.
Oct 14, 2019 10:20:35 #
DeanerNiker wrote:
I bought this Black Rapid strap and love it for that same lens. A little pricey but worth it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LFODBW8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LFODBW8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Just wanted to add that I do not use it attached to the camera, but the Nikon 200-500 lens has it's own support mount that it works very well with.
Oct 14, 2019 10:40:02 #
Oct 14, 2019 10:48:34 #
There is a reason Ansel Adams used a pack donkey or mule to carry his equipment into the field.
Oct 14, 2019 14:07:46 #
cliodiver wrote:
Looking at buying Nikon 200-500 lens that weighs 5lbs. That on my d850 will be quite a load. Are there any suggestions of how to carry this load afield? I will be using monopod/tripod for photos.
Lens on tripod, tripod over shoulder is what I do. I also use the lens handheld, bracing myself as well as possible using my stance or even something nearby to lean on or brace against. Most often, since I photograph wild animals with it, hand held and braced against my body. When I shoot in Florida or New Mexico, birds, I use the tripod, a bullhead with a sidekick attached. For traveling I simply put the lens in my camera case, along with another long lens, 80-400, and two cameras. I generally put the lens hoods in my suitcase or in another carry-on which holds my third lens for landscapes.
Oct 14, 2019 22:49:09 #
cliodiver wrote:
Looking at buying Nikon 200-500 lens that weighs 5lbs. That on my d850 will be quite a load. Are there any suggestions of how to carry this load afield? I will be using monopod/tripod for photos.
I use a heavier Sigma Sport 150-600 (6.5 lbs)n with a D810. I leave the tripod/monopod home and just use a Black Rapid Sling Strap. And the 200-500 has even better stabilization, so you should get better results if you are hand-holding. You will miss out on fewer opportunities when you aren't encumbered with a tripod or monopod.
Oct 15, 2019 00:23:02 #
I carry my D850 with a Peak Design 1.8” strap. With the 200-500 5.6 mounted it is comfortable when carried cross body. I have a habit of turning and bumping the lens so I put on a Lenscoat cover which helped in preventing dings, but it also helps with holding the lens and allows me to partially rest it without motion on a hard surface like a car door (one hand on the camera, one hand on the lens and the lens edge resting on the car/rock/tree stump taking the weight off my hands). I usually hand hold shooting wildlife. I hike with a Tenba backpack.
Over the years, I have collected a nice beanbag, a Gitzo monopod and a nice tripod. If I don’t want to handhold, I stabilize with a bean bag in the car, I use the monopod for long hikes with a Tenba backpack, and on shorter hikes, the tripod with the Tenba backpack. I use a RRS plate on the collar for the tripod and the monopod ball heads.
Over the years, I have collected a nice beanbag, a Gitzo monopod and a nice tripod. If I don’t want to handhold, I stabilize with a bean bag in the car, I use the monopod for long hikes with a Tenba backpack, and on shorter hikes, the tripod with the Tenba backpack. I use a RRS plate on the collar for the tripod and the monopod ball heads.
Oct 15, 2019 04:10:03 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
cliodiver wrote:
Looking at buying Nikon 200-500 lens that weighs 5lbs. That on my d850 will be quite a load. Are there any suggestions of how to carry this load afield? I will be using monopod/tripod for photos.
Backpack is the most efficient in my opinion. It is because of the weight involved with larger formats that I shoot Olympus. My E-M1mkII, 1.4X teleconverter, red dot viewsight, and 50-200 f2.8/3.5 is less than 4 pounds total. With the IBIS, I can usually leave the tripod behind. But there are, as always, trade-offs. Usually the main trade-offs are higher ISO, narrower DOF, and larger dynamic range. Megapixels can be another trade-off depending on the print format.
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