Have you ever found yourself wondering if you should use a tripod, monopod, or just go handheld?
In this video, we’ll look at a quick, easy way to determine the best support solution for any given wildlife scenario. We’ll talk about the four major considerations and how to weigh them against each other in the field. In just a few minutes, you’ll know how to always pick the right support gear for your wildlife shoot.
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Do you ever use a gimbel with a monopod?
I have in the past, works well (but a little top heavy). I like the Wimberley Monogimbal nowadays.
10 Best Monopod for Photography
https://photographyarticle.com/best-monopod-for-photography/
When using a beanbag shooting from a car window, do you also have to switch off image stabilization like on a tripod? Or does it depend on what shutter speed I’m using. Using a 60-600 Sigma lens, does the size of the beanbag matter? Some suggest using a bigger beanbag. Will I benefit from using a gimbal head on a beanbag for moving subjects?
Have never used my been bag to shoot from a car window, I do not switch off image stabilization when using my bag in a hide, however I do follow the 500 hundred rule and make sure that my shutter speed is faster than the length of the lens [ i e if shooting at say 600 mm i always try to shoot at 1200 of a second ] I use a sigma 150-600 mm and have found that a large been bag is better. Have never tried to use my gimbal head on my bean bag, do not believe… Read more »
Thanks Mike. I am still learning. Sometimes because of low light, I have to go slower than 1/focal length (static animals) to keep my ISO from going too high. Most of my shooting is from a vehicle in the African bush….Not allowed to exit vehicle.
Yes you can use VR shooting from a car – and you should if the shutter speed is low. You can follow the same guidelines as you use for hand-holding. If you have a fast enough shutter speed, shut it off, otherwise, leave it on.
As a side note, I seldom use a beanbag. If I have a window available (i.e I’m not in Africa), I simply put a short piece of pipe insulation on it and the lens on top of that. Works really well and is easy to take on and off.
Thank you for some very interesting points. Do you ever use a bean bag?. I personally use a bean bag all the time when in a hide, it`s light and easy to carry. Many thanks Mike.
Hi Mike – Sometimes in Africa I do, but in the US, I tend to just use a piece of pipe insulation on the edge of the window and brace carefully. Work great and is fast to take on and off.
Good method for choice. I prefer handheld for my black kite pictures as they are always flying above my head. But I should learn or rather train my technic with a tripod / gimbal to get used to this method also.+
Careful though with overhead stuff – the gimbal won’t usually reach straight up (the gear hits the tripod / head).
Thanks, hadn’t thought about that.
Really useful advice, as always.
Great post Steve
The only time I have been caught out is when tracking birds with the monopod, all going good, then they get instructions from air traffic that
they now have to climb to 500ft, still tracking and shooting with the whole rig off the ground, was OK with the monopod but would been a big ask with a tripod
Great information, as alway Steve. Love your approach to sharing expertise. Something that has worked well for me in many scenarios, especially as carrying my full size tripod becomes more of a strain after passing 60, is to use a lightweight travel tripod. It is paired with a light, side mount gimbal for ease of carry. I have a elastic Velcro band that cinches the 3 legs together, and with the head locked down and only one leg extended, it works as a great monopod, giving quick height adjustment. When more appropriate, just undo the Velcro, extend the other two… Read more »
I’ve seen people do that before too – my problem is my gear is generally too have for smaller tripod setups LOL!
I just love your videos. They are always easy to understand, full of helpful information, and presented visually so you actually remember what you listened to! Thank you, thank you!!!
And thank you for the kind words 🙂
For myself I have a Benro ModelA38 FD bipod its a monopod with 3 small feet that fold up or down I do a lot of wildlife in the field in thick tall prairie grass. Its great fits in my camera bag with my Tamron !50-600 lens light and easy to handle. I also have a Manfroto 190 Tripod with a Pro Media gear gimbal head for when I need more stability.
For me the use of a tripod is for heavy lens and camera combinations. A 600mm f/4 and D850 with EN-EL18 grip weighs 11.5 lbs and that is too much for extended shooting and I use a tripod with gimbal head 100% of the time. Same camera with 500mm PF lens weighs 6.3 lbs and I can shoot handheld with this combo all day long. The 180-400mm or all intents is like shooting with the 600mm f/4 lens. On a boat I shoot handheld unless I am using a teleconverter where I then will use a monopod for steadiness with… Read more »
Good advice – and your are 100% correct about shooting down on the subject. Most of the time if I’m in a group of photographers, I’m the only one on the ground!
I share my photography (500 f/4) as follows : 95% on a tripod, 5% handheld. I really don’t like using a monopod. Thanks for the video.
I wasn’t the biggest monopod fan until that Wimberly monogimbal came out. Really makes a difference.
Yes. Requires a hefty monopod though.
According to Wimberley it has to be rated at 3x the weight of the rig.
The 4 series Gitzo works well 🙂
Thanks Steve.
Fraid I got a monopod, selecting one with a generous overhead, but it ain’t 3x. It would need to be rated for 13kg.
Yeah I use a Gitzo GM4542 and the Wimberley monogimbal, brilliant combination, a real game changer for me.
I agree on the Wimberley mono gimbal for sure. I purchased one after watching Steve’s review and since then have recommended two others to buy the same gimbal. I wildlife shoot with a D850 and Nikkor 500mm and the keep rate is usually very high.
Heh Mike, I use a D500 and a D750 with a 500PF with the above mono combination but I also use a Gitzo GT3543LS tripod and a Wimberley WH-200 mk2 Gimbal. I also use a 24-85 general lens and a 10-20 for landscapes, all Nikon. I also use a Black Rapid Double strap when out walking with the D750 and the 500PF on one side and the D500 and the 24-85 on the other and I can go all day like that. Super rig for me as I am in my late sixties and can’t carry the heavies for long.… Read more »
Heh Mike, I use a D500 and a D750 with a 500PF with the above mono combination but I also use a Gitzo GT3543LS tripod and a Wimberley WH-200 mk2 Gimbal. I also use a 24-85 general lens and a 10-20 for landscapes, all Nikon. I also use a Black Rapid Double strap when out walking with the D750 and the 500PF on one side and the D500 and the 24-85 on the other and I can go all day like that. Super rig for me as I am in my late sixties and can’t carry the heavies for long.… Read more »