Sigma 150-500-Birding
Jul 6, 2014 07:06:04 #
DaveO wrote:
Thank you for your response,Dook. I always shut "OS" off on my lenses,but I just picked up a Manfrotto 393 and was thinking that if I'm moving due to following an object,maybe there could be an advantage to using it. I'm a novice and was looking for some experienced feedback to "cut back" on experimenting. Just being lazy!
I also have the 393 on a monopod. The 1/500 or faster recommendation works for me. The gimbal is heavy so watch the mounting screw. I had one break on a less expensive monopod, and keeping the camera strap around my neck saved me. I have added the quick release slide to both my 150-500 and the 120-300 and mounted a 357 on the tripod for quick setup and balance.
One more note, the rubber cap on the swivel fell off mine in the field but I do not miss it.
Jul 6, 2014 07:14:32 #
Jul 6, 2014 07:20:16 #
DaveO wrote:
Love your example,Gene!
Thanks! That Manfrotto 393 (aka Bogen 3421) is the best kept secret - I thought I would be replacing mine with a Wimberley after using it for a while, but I've rented the Wimberley, and though it is a great head, my results are not better with it.
I have modified mine by adding an Arca Swiss quick release clamp made by Chris at Hejnar Photo - makes life easier not having to use the proprietary crappy Manfrotto plate.
Jul 6, 2014 07:28:31 #
Gene,good to hear! My 393 came with the 357 and it'll do for awhile. My wife has threatened to do some bad things with my 'Froto gear if I don't quit buying "stuff." Something about difficulty sitting down,but I did not pursue. Dave.
Jul 6, 2014 07:44:09 #
DaveO wrote:
Gene,good to hear! My 393 came with the 357 and it'll do for awhile. My wife has threatened to do some bad things with my 'Froto gear if I don't quit buying "stuff." Something about difficulty sitting down,but I did not pursue. Dave.
In case you catch her in one of those rare "anything you want, Honey" moods, here is the link:
http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_3&products_id=8
The extra screws that come with the 393 work fine - I use all three for extra safety - I use it regularly with my 600mm which has a replacement foot/plate that is compatible with Arca Swiss. One nice feature is that if you use a speedlight, which I do with a Better Beamer attached, the Wimberley flash bracket attaches on the plate as well, which keeps the flash close to the center of gravity of the lens/camera. (oh no, more "stuff" to buy!)
BTW - chocolate, flowers and lots of pampering and attention often - but not always - helps. Everyone's mileage will vary. :)
Jul 6, 2014 07:55:26 #
She's gotten pretty smart the last forty plus years! Amazing how much they learn!
Jul 6, 2014 09:38:10 #
lighthouse wrote:
What about low light situations where you might be down on e.g. 1/13th sec??
Well, I have to say, OS ON. However, the OS system tends to compensation for camera/lens shake & you might get blurred images.
MT Shooter mentioned in a previous post on the same subject, that I should check to see if I have a sturdy tripod and that the head isn't loose. Still haven't done that...but I will.
Jul 6, 2014 10:18:45 #
DaveO wrote:
On a gimbal type head,would you shut the OS off,use OS1 or OS2 if you anticipate movement of the subject? Did a lot of searching and did not see.
I almost always shoot with OS (IS) turned off, especially when shooting birds. Keeping in mind that when shooting birds you want to try and keep your SS fast, 1/1000+ preferred. At this speed it is not needed, tripod or not. Also keep in mind that OS, IS, can slow down your AF which you do not want to do.
Jim D
Jul 6, 2014 10:27:28 #
lighthouse wrote:
What about low light situations where you might be down on e.g. 1/13th sec??
Then adjust your ISO to increase your SS. When shooting birds I rarely find a need to be shooting that slow.
Jim D
Jul 6, 2014 11:10:50 #
RRS
Loc: Not sure
DaveO wrote:
This is the type of feedback I was hoping for. You folks are giving me some good food for thought!
Take what "Gene51" says like it came out of the photographers bible because it does. That man walks the walk and talks the talk and has the results to prove what he says! I have PMed him and he is quick to respond with info and pictures too. If I have a question on birding he's my go to guy!
Jul 6, 2014 11:18:39 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
oldtool2 wrote:
Then adjust your ISO to increase your SS. When shooting birds I rarely find a need to be shooting that slow.
Jim D
Jim D
If I had been forced down to 1/13th sec, you can take it as a given, that I had already explored all my options for ISO and other settings Jim.
You only do middle of the day stuff?
Don't shoot of an evening until you run out of light?
Jul 6, 2014 11:19:47 #
Gene51 wrote:
Lighthouse- even if you screw your camera and lens into a rock - eliminating all possibility of vibration at your end - the subject will move - ruining a shot - unless it was your intent to deliberately shoot motion blur for creative effect.
Here is a shot of an immature heron taken at 1/10 sec, with a D300, ISO 400, 600mm F4 AF-S (no VR) with a 1.4x TC - mounted on a Feisol 3472 with a Manfrotto 3421 gimbal (no lock down possible) no wind and the bird was moving very slowly
Here is a shot of an immature heron taken at 1/10 sec, with a D300, ISO 400, 600mm F4 AF-S (no VR) with a 1.4x TC - mounted on a Feisol 3472 with a Manfrotto 3421 gimbal (no lock down possible) no wind and the bird was moving very slowly
Great example Gene, is there anywhere we can view more of your great photo's
Jul 6, 2014 12:19:10 #
howlynn wrote:
Great example Gene, is there anywhere we can view more of your great photo's
Thanks!!!
http://www.gyphotoworks.com
and I've got a few on https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/
Jul 6, 2014 13:14:58 #
DaveO wrote:
On a gimbal type head,would you shut the OS off,use OS1 or OS2 if you anticipate movement of the subject? Did a lot of searching and did not see.
I can tell you for a fact that, with Canon, nearly all of their lenses are "Tripod Aware" and you do not need to turn image stabilization off when mounted on a tripod. Canon lists only 4 lenses, mostly older designs, that are not tripod aware. Canon specifically recommends using image stabilization with long lenses on a tripod in gusty situations. This information I got directly from the manufacturers website: http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/infobank/lenses/image_stabilisation.do
"Keep a tripod
Although an IS lens gives more opportunities for hand-held shots, there will still be times when the support of a tripod is needed − with exposure times of several seconds, for example, or when working with heavy EF500mm or EF600mm lenses.
With some of the earlier lenses, you need to switch the IS off when using a tripod. The lack of movement confuses the system and the image starts to jump around the viewfinder. However, using a tripod in high wind or with super telephoto lenses, often results in some camera movement, and the IS system can be invaluable. Later IS models are able to sense the use of a tripod and automatically disable the IS, if necessary.
You should also leave the Image Stabilizer on when using a monopod, as it is unlikely you will be able to keep this type of support perfectly still. "
To verify whether your Sigma lens is tripod aware, you should seek that info from the manufacturer.
Jul 6, 2014 14:31:03 #
birdpix wrote:
I can tell you for a fact that, with Canon, nearly... (show quote)
It really doesn't matter - in many situations, OS, IS, VC, VR will stop motion blur, but at the expense of sharpness. I never use it anymore.
http://photographylife.com/proof-that-vibration-reduction-should-first-be-stabilized
http://www.bythom.com/nikon-vr.htm
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