Tripod, Monopod or handheld for zoo visit?

nigpd

Suspended / Banned
Messages
5,989
Name
Nigel
Edit My Images
Yes
I am planning a zoo visit and for the first time will have my 70-200L IS (with tripod mounting ring) and 1.4X II Extender with me.

From experience, what would provide the greatest benefit to getting the most out of my shots, a tripod, a monopod with ball head or just go hand held?

Thanks in advance for your help :thumbs:
 
If it was me I would use a mix of hand held and monopod, but if I was going to whipsnade the tripod would be in the boot too, as I always take the car in (I am Lasy).
 
As above, keep the tripod in the boot, but for my zoo visits the camera rarely gets taken off the monopod.
 
I spent the day at Chester Zoo on Sunday and had an 80-400mm VR lens on a D300 and I had the camera on a monopod all day. I occasionally took the odd hand held shot with the monopod still attached but only when the light was bright and the shutter speed increased. I had the tripod in the car as I always do but at no point was I ever tempted to go ant use it, I just didn't feel the need.
 
quick question.. i'm just wondering why a monopod? yes, I'm a newbie :) Is it because it's easier to carry around? and you won't be using shutter speeds that go on long?
 
Much easier to carry around, much faster to set up. You can hold the monopod steady for long shots, but it helps to lean it against something.
 
Just to give another option - if I am shooting at zoos, I take my tripod and use it as a monopod (IE with the legs not spread). I'll pretty much walk around all day with the camera attached.
 
great thread, going to marwell this weekend so im definitly taking the monopod now :D just look a bit weird not having a tripod collar on my 70-200 :(
 
because its a little f4 :)

and i havnt yet spoken to someone who can give me an opinion on the thrid party ones...
 
Right, I thought you were saying that you wouldn't have a collar because you were using a monopod.

:p

thanks nigpd i think i will get one of these if you say they work ok :D
 
one stop digital do the proper ones but their £80, ive heard some horror stories about the ebay ones.... so you say that they are fine? just dont want my camera suddenly plumeting to the floor :|
 
Back
Top