Disable Focus Ring on Beanbag

htid

htid

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Probably a stupid question but when I'm using my 500mm on the beanbag, when I start tracking a BIF using AF, the focus ring turns and ruins my shots. I know the answer is to use a tripod instead but I haven't got one. Is there any way to deactivate the focus ring on the d500? I'm sure it's either really easy to do, or impossible and I'm just being really thick here!
 
Canon 500 F4 user here. When i've suspected this is happening to me, i grip/cup the lens in a way that the palm of my hand is bridging (quite firmly) part of the lens barrel and part of the focus ring.
I've got proficient at it to the point where i believe the focus ring doesn't move at all.

My actual technique is that i curl my hand under the lens, between it and the beanbag. But squished down in a way that the beanbag is still the main support for the lens, rather than my hand. If that makes sense at all :)

An alternate method i've used is hand over the top of the lens, again across the barrel and the focus ring, pressing the lens down into the bean bag and holding the ring still.
 
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Why not put something on the underside of the lens which lifts the focus ring clear of the beanbag?
That way you won't have to think about anything.
 
htid said:
Probably a stupid question but when I'm using my 500mm on the beanbag, when I start tracking a BIF using AF, the focus ring turns and ruins my shots. I know the answer is to use a tripod instead but I haven't got one. Is there any way to deactivate the focus ring on the d500? I'm sure it's either really easy to do, or impossible and I'm just being really thick here!
Click to expand...

Don't think I've had this happen, I'm usually with the beanbag contact further back toward the camera.
 
gramps said:
Don't think I've had this happen, I'm usually with the beanbag contact further back toward the camera.
Click to expand...

Really? It's not very stable like that. I'm also a bit wary of aiming the lens too far out of the hide for fear of scaring the birds...but maybe Im just being silly. Going back to WWT this weekend so will try moving it forward a bit. Maybe the focus ring is different on the VR model than the one I have too? Smaller perhaps.
 
Werecow said:
Canon 500 F4 user here. When i've suspected this is happening to me, i grip/cup the lens in a way that the palm of my hand is bridging (quite firmly) part of the lens barrel and part of the focus ring.
I've got proficient at it to the point where i believe the focus ring doesn't move at all.

My actual technique is that i curl my hand under the lens, between it and the beanbag. But squished down in a way that the beanbag is still the main support for the lens, rather than my hand. If that makes sense at all :)

An alternate method i've used is hand over the top of the lens, again across the barrel and the focus ring, pressing the lens down into the bean bag and holding the ring still.
Click to expand...
Another canon user with this method
 
htid said:
Really? It's not very stable like that. I'm also a bit wary of aiming the lens too far out of the hide for fear of scaring the birds...but maybe Im just being silly. Going back to WWT this weekend so will try moving it forward a bit. Maybe the focus ring is different on the VR model than the one I have too? Smaller perhaps.
Click to expand...

Can't imagine doing BIF with the lens 'stable' on a beanbag but I suppose it depends on the bag, mine is basically just protecting the lens from being damaged ... if I'm consciously doing BIF I'm on tripod & gimbal :)
 
gramps said:
Can't imagine doing BIF with the lens 'stable' on a beanbag but I suppose it depends on the bag, mine is basically just protecting the lens from being damaged ... if I'm consciously doing BIF I'm on tripod & gimbal :)
Click to expand...

Sorry what I probably mean is 'balanced'. If I put the point of contact between camera/lens and beanbag closer towards the camera, I wouldn't be able to let go without it falling forwards out of the hide.

I'm not planning to do lots of Bif this way, just that if I'm waiting and suddenly a bird flies and I want to take it, I need to turn the lens suddenly which rotates the focus ring
 
If you have a double beanbag, put the tripod foot between the two halves of the beanbag, then the bag moves with the lens. I used this technique with my Canon 500 f/4 in a hide too small for tripods thus morning. Admittedly I haven't attempted birds in flight, but I was swinging it around a fair bit from target to target with no focus problems. When I first had the lens I swivelled the foot onto the top and had exactly the problem you describe.
 
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