Bird hides - best support for camera and long lens

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Using a tripod in a bird hide is not always feasible. I have seen some photographers using bean bags, ruck sacks, monopods, handholding, hide clamps etc. Any recommendations?
 
I use a manfrotto 035 clamp with either a ball head or gimbal on top. Only works in some hides though as it's not adjustable for height as standard. You can get the ones that use the centre column from a tripod which gives height adjustment. Other than that I use a bean bag or small tripod.
 
I have this combo and I hand hold most of the time. If its birds in flight then I try and get a fast enough shutter speed to eliminate shake. If its not achievable then I either don't shoot or use a mono pod. I have just got a bean bag and I will be trying it out later
 
I have same lens with either 6D or 80D using either bean bag (filled with bird seed as I can then put some out on empty feeder platforms to entice visitors) and I use a monopod sometimes
 
If you want the freedom to track birds in flight nothing beats a tripod and a gimbal head. If room is tight a monopod with a tilt head with variable friction is probably the most versatile solution. The head allows adjustment of elevation while keeping the monopod vertical and pushed up tight against the hide wall. A beanbag can be good, they provide good support but are slow (and possibly noisy) when you reposition the camera. Hide clamps (and too a lesser extent beanbags) tend to 'bounce' in public hides as people move about and the stability depends on the construction of the hide.
 
Just use it hand held. This lens is pretty light so it shouldn't be a problem.

Just remember to turn the IS/VR/OS off, take your time and get some nice sharp shots.

Happy shooting.
 
johnf3f said:
Just use it hand held. This lens is pretty light so it shouldn't be a problem.

Just remember to turn the IS/VR/OS off, take your time and get some nice sharp shots.

Happy shooting.
Click to expand...

Thanks John. Why do you recommend turning off the OS?
 
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I use good tripods and gimbal heads
with all my long lenses — 400mm +.
 
Archie747 said:
Thanks John. Why do you recommend turning off the OS?
Click to expand...
Not my recommendation, but at high shutter speeds, OS is a detriment and can soften the image.
 
Beanbag every time in a public hide, No faffing about with adjusting tripod legs, monopods, hide climbs, No loud noises upsetting other hide users..
 
Archie747 said:
Thanks John. Why do you recommend turning off the OS?
Click to expand...

Simply because I have lost too many shots to IS. IS/VR/OS (etc) has it's place and back when it (IS) was introduced it was a life saver! When 400 ISO film was about the upper limit for quality a 2 stop stabiliser was pure GOLD! However these days it has far less importance.
Unfortunately IS (VR etc) does not help your AF performance as it slows down the initial lock and can blow tracking completely - or at best hinder tracking.

Much depends on the lenses that you are using and the lighting conditions that are available - as well as the behaviour of your subjects. In my case I use the longest lens I can get (Canon 800mm) for birding and I can find no use for IS even though I often use this lens hand held.

For me AF is the most important factor - so anything that interferes with AF is something that I don't want! Just my thoughts.
 
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