Birding (Page 2): Yes, about 20% of my monopod usage is from the car AKA carpod.

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Jan 13, 2019 16:41:19 #

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Katydid wrote:

I don't use a tripod, as of yet. I must add I do a lot of auto-tours and shoot from inside a car.

Yes, about 20% of my monopod usage is from the car AKA carpod.

Jan 13, 2019 17:20:48 #

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

suntouched wrote:

I have a carbon fiber monopod that I took apart to... (show quote)

Adding to your excellent setup:
I have sometimes found that I can put the bottom of the monopod into my belly with my belt holding it against me. Then with the camera against my face I've much reduced the motion. If I can find something to lean on, it gets even better. I also have a lightweight carbon fiber monopod and sometimes I use a "head" but also sometimes use just the tripod screw directly to an Arca type receiver which in turn can be used for either of the two cameras I have with me in the car, a plate on the bottom of each. Without the tripod head the 'pod weights about a pound.

I took off the wrist strap on the 'pod but I can use the one on the camera to exert downward pressure which also reduces motion.

I've also found, sometimes, that just having the 'pod hanging down at its minimum length and adding one pound to the 2+ pounds of camera with lens does a lot of stabilizing while affording complete freedom of aiming.

Jan 13, 2019 22:09:08 #

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

I tried a monopod once for BIF and it did not work well.
I have 2 solutions, depends on the lens I am using.
I use a discontinued Clik Elite Bodylink pack that can be used as a front or back pack. it has a telescoping frame that has a mounting plate for a lens/camera combo, I find best using the lens plate mount. This is used for my 70-400.
I also built myself a rail system with a shoulder stock, plate mount, 2 vertical grips (1 with shutter trigger) that can be used with larger lenses (my 300 f/2.8 in particular).
I only use a tripod and gimbal for my 500 f/4.

Jan 13, 2019 23:05:53 #

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Woodworm65 I'm a little different than most BIF shooters... I bait and shoot from a blind with a Wimberley Gimbal... it totally rocks but it's way too pricey... a more cost effective rig is the Manfrotto 393 which is a fraction of the Wimberley Gimbal and nearly as effective...
Have a colleague who shoots this... it's awesome!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554099-REG/Manfrotto_393_393_Heavy_Duty_Gimbal.html

If you are serious about amazing bird imagery then bait them into range... and shoot from a blind.
This is what all the pros do...

Shooting hand held... Really? Just take an 8lb weight and hold it out 15 inches away from your face... yep, you'll last maybe a minute or two at best... even a 5lb weight will fatigue you sooner than you think... experience is a brutal teacher...

Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...
I wish you well on your journey Woodworm65

Jan 13, 2019 23:27:34 #

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Not all birding is BIF ! and not all done with 500/600 f4 ....

Jan 14, 2019 06:07:01 #

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Woodworm65 wrote:

Those of you that are bird photographers I need to ask a question, do you use a monopod when capturing bird photos your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Monopods, tripods, get in my way when photographing birds in flight. I cannot react fast enough to get the shot. I like to pan with my D500 and 200-500 5.6 lens, I use GROUP AUTO FOCUS, continuous auto focus, 10 frames a second, center weighted metering, Manual or Aperture Priority depending on the lighting and local conditions.
Photo below is of a Snowy Egret catching a minnow at Wakodahatchee Wetlands. Panniing.

Jan 14, 2019 06:42:50 #

bedouin Loc: Big Bend area, Texas

Anyone out there still using a gun stock (rifle type) for birding? I have never used one myself but recently saw a series of photos made by an Asian photographer who uses this device and they were amazingly sharp.

Jan 14, 2019 07:16:40 #

Balboa Loc: NJ

I personally do not; I don't like them. If I'm using a big heavy lens then I use a tripod.
If your camera has built-in stabilization and your lens is not huge then you do not need to use either a tripod or a bipod, unless you have a medical issue.

Jan 14, 2019 07:27:31 #

I had a monopod and ended up returning it. I found that it's impossible to hold the camera steady in the horizontal direction. There's still motion blur in the horizontal direction - even at shutter speeds of 1/250 second. I'm very steady when shooting but I could never get good results with a monopod.

I have a Jobu Jr.3 gimbal head. It weighs only 1.5lbs. but can support up to 12lbs. It has finely adjustable dampening on the tilt axis and they designed a bushing that nicely dampens the panning axis. If you get that and a carbon fiber tripod, you'll have a light setup.

Jan 14, 2019 07:27:51 #

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Monopod with tilt head when using the 150-600 Tamy on a D500. Tried a friends ball head and found it less stable.

Jan 14, 2019 07:42:07 #

Thomas902 wrote:

Woodworm65 I'm a little different than most BIF sh... (show quote)

I've used the Wimberly WH-200 gimbal head. It's a very nice gimbal head. I like that it has finely adjustable dampening on the tilt and panning axis. I always thought that's important to have as you'll get steadier shots. I rented the Induro GHB2 gimbal head once. I didn't have adjustable dampening. All you could do is lock the axes in place. I thought it was useless.

Jan 14, 2019 07:44:30 #

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Woodworm65 wrote:

Those of you that are bird photographers I need to ask a question, do you use a monopod when capturing bird photos your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Now a days my monopods see very little use. When its inconvenient to use a tripod I just hand hold.

Jan 14, 2019 07:45:01 #

BillA

Nikon D500 with 200-500 Nikkor. Nikon says 5 stops of stabilization. I never use a tripod or monopod as I cannot cope with the movement/speed of the bird. I can move the lens quickly from the tree canopy to the ground or lower branches to follow the movement of the bird - I would be hopeless trying to do this with a pod. I am 78. I take a LOT of shots (10 fps) and throw away a LOT of shots, but do usually end up with some very usable images. Case in point a Yellow-headed Blackbird - very rare for SW Florida where it was taken. Loves to go deep into the trees and use the foliage for cover. I would suggest you try without the pod first and if you cannot get decent results, then return to your research on the pods.

Jan 14, 2019 07:54:58 #

sergio

Woodworm65 wrote:

Those of you that are bird photographers I need to ask a question, do you use a monopod when capturing bird photos your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Anything but hand held. Mostly monopod.

Jan 14, 2019 08:30:11 #

Rhinophoto Loc: Davis, CA

So, Woodworm, almost as many ways to shoot birds as there are photographers, depending on hand shake, strength, gear, birding situation, etc. If I can, I use a tripod with my d7200 and 80-400. I probably "handhold" the majority of shots - but that includes stabilizing on car windows, hoods of cars, fence posts, tree trunks, kneeling, and occasionally lying down.

Mike

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