Birding (Page 2): I have been using an amazon purchased mono-pod. Light weight and cheap ($15). Easy to use and helps with steadiness.

markmmmm

I have been using an amazon purchased mono-pod. Light weight and cheap ($15). Easy to use and helps with steadiness.

Spirit Hawk Loc: Michigan,Sunrise side

This is how and what i use,,Canon 7D,,Canon 400mm 5.6 L,,Manf.681 monopod,,,or a lens pistol grip..Camera setting: ai-focus,,tv mode,,1250 shutter,,ISO 500,,and let the camera do the rest
I like the 400L because NO focus time is lost..
My 2 cents !
Cheers Ron

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

I agree with all of the "deepends" comments. Too many variables to make a sweeping statement.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

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?

Handheld will work especially at 400mm, but a gimbal head is hard to beat, the tripod will actually improve your images even if you are shooting at 1/1000 or faster. Gimbals allow you to easily aim your camera in any direction and make tracking birds in flight easier than handheld with better results.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

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?

You will get much better results without a tripod or monopod.

All of the recent (past year) images of birds in my flickr stream were done with a 600mm handheld.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/

When using a tripod you end up tripping on the legs and missing lots of shots. This was the case when I used a 600mm F4 - too heavy to hand hold, so a tripod was mandatory. I get better results without the tripod.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The new Tamron 150-600 G, from what I have seen and know, is a wonderful lens. It could be ideal for BIF and my particular first choice would be to shoot hand held. If the shutter speed is high enough I disable VR to make the camera operate faster.
I have never used tele-converters, although I know many of them have very good quality but it implies using another piece of glass with your lens and although the results could be just fine why do it if a prime lens could most probably do better.
Since you have not shot BIF before, or so I understood, practice before your trip. Keep in mind that shutter release should be set in continuous servo to shoot irrespective of subjects in focus. I seldom use matrix, evaluative or multi-pattern metering but I do with BIF. Be ready for some out of focus shots which is pretty common when using the shutter the way I have suggested.
Good luck and bring back some beautiful shots.

sergio

1) you need a longer lens. Tamron 150-600 would be better.
2) for any thing goose size a tripod will be excellent and with a Gimbal head even better.
3) for any other cases if you are lucky use a monopod. If less lucky hand held. And try to have shortest exposures possible. I currently use 1/6000 and ISO 1600.
4) I doubt that using a 2x converter leaves you good enough autofocus. Also frames per second are important when it comes to birds.
For this purpose (birds) I like Canon 7D II and/or Sony rx10ii or iii. The latter is phenomenal and compared with anything else light and inexpensive.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Gene51 wrote:

You will get much better results without a tripod or monopod.

All of the recent (past year) images of birds in my flickr stream were done with a 600mm handheld.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/

When using a tripod you end up tripping on the legs and missing lots of shots. This was the case when I used a 600mm F4 - too heavy to hand hold, so a tripod was mandatory. I get better results without the tripod.

Terrific collection.

2windy7

what brand shoulder stock"?

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

When I go to Conowingo,MD to eagles, (mostly in flight) it's 99% gimbal/tripod for me and others. No problems.

Mark Bski Loc: A sleepy little island not far from Seattle

If you're in one spot all day the tripod is nice. If you are walking about, try a monopod with a light weight ball mount. Keep the ball loose so you can easily move the lens about. If you need to lift the camera, go ahead and lift, you change to shooting hand held in a jiffy. (You can't do that with a tripod and a gimbal mount.) The monopod, though not as steady as a tripod, is more steady than hand held.

And as a bonus, the monopod also acts a walking stick when you want it to!

I got this same monopod at Wally World (Wal Mart) for $15.00 a few years ago. It's on Amazon for $16. $7.00 more and you get a cheap ball head for the top. https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-WT1003-67-Inch-Monopod/dp/B00FAYL1YU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1509900109&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=monopod&psc=1

shutterhawk Loc: Cape Cod

I tried "Bush Hawk" some years back but thought it an ergonomic disaster. I figured I could make a better one myself and, twenty some prototypes later, I'm satisfied with this one. It's light and lets me hold the camera on the same position as hand holding but with a lot less shake.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

I am unsteady so a gimbal on a tripod is my first choice. If you are really steady, hand held would be my first preference. BIF probably 1000th second or faster shutter speed.

RRS Loc: Not sure

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 what you are shooting with I'd hand hold, it's not too heavy. When I shoot BIF with a FF and a 600mm f/4.0 with a 1.4 extender I shoot off a tripod with a gimbal head. When I shoot BIF with a Canon 7DMKII and a 300mm f/2.8 I like to hand hold. I wouldn't use a monopod for any BIF shooting, but that's just my opinion. Have fun, what body will you be using. Post a few shots when you are done.

markmmmm

Yes. I too use it as a walking stick. It is perfect for that. Yes, you can get it at Walmart.

Amazing versatile and cheap and effective.

MM