70-200mm with monopod?

treeman

treeman

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I'm hiring a 70-200mm VR 2.8 for the week, and was wondering if any body uses monopods with this lens. I'm going to use it for some pony club shots, horses over jumps etc. Just not sure how good the VR is.
Thanks
 
switch the VR off if you're using a monopod. It's not going to stop moving ponies from moving.

I used the 70-200 on a 'pod that's fitted with a ball head and I leave the ball unlocked to allow me maximum movement but also giving a serious amount of stability. You just grasp the ball in your hand to hold it in one place.

That's my technique for catwalk shows anyway.. good luck
 
i wouldn't use one with a 70-200, no need - but that's just me
 
The VR is not any help with a moving target, as trebs said it is best to turn it off and turn the shutter speed up. You may have to increase the ISO a little, but at least this can be reduced in PP if needed. I dont know the Nikon cameras, but I presume they have a servo setting for the focus to adjust it as the horses move towards you.

Good luck!
 
if your using it all day or using it from a very static loncation you I think you want, not need a monopad for it

Hugh
 
Hmmm ok, doesn't look like a straight forward answer. I used to use a monopod for this sort of thing 20 years ago, but obviously times have changed with all this VR,IS stuff.

Maybe a better question should be what speeds can you hand hold this sort of lens at?
 
I used a Tamron 70-200mm for a football tournament last weekend. I started off with a monopod for the first couple of hours but found it a little restrictive so I put it back in the car and handheld for the other few hours. Yes it can get a little heavy if you are holding it up to shoot constantly but as long as you take a short break every now and then to rest your arms you'll be fine.

The Tamron doesn't have VR so it wasn't an issue for me but if you're using a monopod or shooting a moving object then I agree with the above advice, turn off the VR otherwise it can make your images worse.
 
treeman said:
Maybe a better question should be what speeds can you hand hold this sort of lens at?
Click to expand...

You can hand hold it down at sppeds you'll be getting motion blur problems at a pony club shoot with no camera shake isssues

Hugh
 
So just to re-cap (I'm feeling more stupid than usual this morning).

Regardless of wether using a monopod or not, shooting moving subjects, you should turn the VR off?
 
no, when it's on a mono/tripod turn IS/VR off as it can get jibby

handheld always on

neil_g said:
all day being rallys or other motorsport/sports events..? ;)

its all personal preference though at the end of the day.
Click to expand...

same
 
treeman said:
So just to re-cap (I'm feeling more stupid than usual this morning).

Regardless of wether using a monopod or not, shooting moving subjects, you should turn the VR off?
Click to expand...

I most certainly would switch it off for the shooting you describe in your opening post. Randomly moving objects and VR aren't suited.

Racing motor vehicles with a predefined linear path can benefit from it.
 
I would use a monopod, or at least take one. Mainly to rest a heavy camera/lens on if you're stuck waiting in one position.

I would also use IS if there was any panning of movement invloved, with Canon that would be on IS Mode 2.
 
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