my new 70-200

shaylou

shaylou

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,781
Name
Shayne
Edit My Images
No
I just got my new 70-200 f2.8 mark2 in today and it is a monster. I haven't used it but for a couple of shoots but the first thing I noticed was how hard it was to hold it steady. I really wanted to use it for action shoots but I'm wondering how in the world I will ever be able to hold it steady. Any advise?
 
Your camera seems to be able to cope with high ISO quite well so choosing a high ISO will enable you maintain a high shutter speed.
That lens is super sharp wide open so that will also help in maintaining a high shutter speed.

This will eliminate blur caused by camera shake and also capture action shots well.
 
Left hand holding the zoom ring and left elbow braced on your stomach.

Bob
 
Canon Bob said:
Left hand holding the zoom ring and left elbow braced on your stomach.

Bob
Click to expand...

You must have a very long humerus or a very high stomach :naughty:
My elbow goes no lower than my chest :'(

Joking aside I concur with everything Bob said and would add that a monopod is no trouble to carry around and makes a lot of sense with these focal lengths if shooting action.
 
Gazamonk said:
You must have a very long humerus or a very high stomach :naughty:
My elbow goes no lower than my chest :'(
Click to expand...
I do have long arms as it happens. Other things conspire to help though.....the 1D srs viewfinders are much higher above the optical axis meaning that the lens is lower than would be for an xxxD or xxD body.
(My stomach hasn't signed a model release form so I can't comment on that point)

Bob
 
Canon Bob said:
(My stomach hasn't signed a model release form so I can't comment on that point)

Bob
Click to expand...

nice one Bob lol
 
Shouldn't that be modelS release Bob?
 
LOL Bob.

Back to the OP. For action shots your shutter speed will probably be fairly high so as long as you're not swinging it around you should be okay.
 
shutter speed will be faster than 1/(200*1.6)s as rule of thumb
at full range on a cropped sensor

however, what about a monopod?
cheap and a decent solution
 
shaylou said:
I just got my new 70-200 f2.8 mark2 in today and it is a monster. I haven't used it but for a couple of shoots but the first thing I noticed was how hard it was to hold it steady. I really wanted to use it for action shoots but I'm wondering how in the world I will ever be able to hold it steady. Any advise?
Click to expand...

Looks like I'm in good company - just received my one yesterday too!

Having said that, I was finding the IS was doing a fantastic job, with me being able to hand-hold at 1/20 sec reliably at 200mm, with no sign of camera shake.

I am used to hand-holding my 100-400, which is similar weight, so that might help - the technique that seems good for me so far on the 70-200 is to lightly grip the focus ring, so it is cradled between thumb and index finger, and tend to have the underside / tripod mount of the lens resting on the heel of that hand.
I don't rest my elbow on anything - I tend to extend my elbow in front of my body, so my upper arm, forearm and hand form a sort of 'Z' shape.
 
I bought a monopod recently for my Sigma 150-500 OS. I don't have a problem with hand holding it for a while, when I've got it on all day it does get a little heavy so a monopod is just the thing.
 
I can usually get sharp shots at 1/30th at 200mm, it does seem heavy at first but its surprising how quickly you get used to it. I hold mine similar to EdR, with the tripod mount on supporting that in the palm of my left hand.

Its a beauty of a lens:)
 
On my 70-200mm VR, I generally hold mine where the lens hood is attached - means I have more distance between my hands for better support and also gives me access to one of the focus lock buttons. When shooting video it also means I can focus manually without having to move hands. Of course, this is all bearing in mind I'm happy with the zoom amount....
 
Thanks for all the tips. I have had mine for about a week now and I'm already use to it. I'm not having a problem at all holding it steady. I have now started wondering if it might be more comfortable if I had a battery grip to hold onto. My slr is a 600d and a bit on the small side. I was thinking that a grip would help even out the weight a little making it even more comfortable. What do you guys think?
 
A grip will definitely help on a smaller body. Both in allowing you to get a better hold of the camera, and in balancing the weight slightly.

For what it's worth, I usually hold mine near the middle of the lens, then I can get a couple of fingers on the zoom ring and a couple on the focus ring if need be. Tuck your elbows in and concentrate a bit, and it shouldn't be too difficult to keep steady.
 
Completely agree that getting a grip will help (although not the first time someone has told me that!).

I'm having to do without a grip for the first time in several decades until the one I ordered for my 5D mkiii turns up, and am finding it much more awkward to hold the camera with a large lens on (just about ok with a 50mm, but still find my little finger flailing around!).

My wife was trying out my 7D + 70-200 in readiness for her using it this weekend, and despite the additional weight, she also thought that the balance was much better with the grip (and I'm told she is ALWAYS right, so that should prove it........;))
 
Jayst84 said:
A grip will definitely help on a smaller body. Both in allowing you to get a better hold of the camera, and in balancing the weight slightly.

For what it's worth, I usually hold mine near the middle of the lens, then I can get a couple of fingers on the zoom ring and a couple on the focus ring if need be. Tuck your elbows in and concentrate a bit, and it shouldn't be too difficult to keep steady.
Click to expand...

this is pretty much my technique too, and at 5'2 with all the muscle of, well a mussel quite frankly, I don't have a problem hand holding the lens all day at weddings and the like :thumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top