Manzoori From UK - England, joined Sep 2002, 1516 posts, RR: 37 Posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 1693 times:
I've been getting a fair few e-mails through the A-Net system asking about the BIGMA and a recurring theme of all of these is a question asking me if I shoot handheld or on a tripod.
Personally I only ever shoot handheld as I've yet to see let alone try a tripod that can allow me to pan fast enought to cope with a fast military jet or airliner on approach.
Does anyone here actually shoot mvoing aircraft with a tripod?
Cheers!
Rez
Flightlineimages DOT Com Photographer & Web Editor. RR Turbines Specialist
LGW From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1680 times:
Hi Rez,
I have a tripod for shots with low light when the object is not moving but never use it for panning in day light.
I know someone who used to do so (not an a.netter) and I never understood, as you say how they could pan effectively. They don't use it anymore so perhaps that answers the question that handheld is better.
OT but how do you find the 50-500 EX Rez? Good quality? Easy to handhold etc as I am looking at getting myself one
Philhyde From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 674 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1661 times:
I have not made the investment yet for my 10D (have to buy a separate tripod ring for the EF 70-200 f/4L lens), however I used a monopod with my Powershot Pro1 and had very satisfying results. This type of support should allow you to pan, at least to a moderate degree. Ultimately, though, I think handheld is the way to go for high angle shots of moving a/c.
Jid From Barbados, joined Dec 2004, 960 posts, RR: 35 Reply 3, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1663 times:
Hi Rez, tripods at night for me only. For daylight moving shots its a monopod all the way for me and only at full zoom. Hand held is by far the best option even if the monopod is still attached because it adds extra weight and a stability to the camera.
Jid
G7EPN is back after 15 years! Operating all Bands 80mtrs -> 70cms QRZ DX
Manzoori From UK - England, joined Sep 2002, 1516 posts, RR: 37 Reply 4, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1615 times:
Thanks for the responses guys!
Ben,
The BIGMA is a bit of a beast of a lens. A touch onthe heavy side but my arm muscles are developing accordingly!. The zoom was a bit stiff initially and I've had to get used to the twist zoom action having somehow managed to develop a push-pull zoom action with its predecessor the Sigma 170-500. As mentioned in other posts, in good light it is very good but once the light starts to fail I may as well pack up and go home.... ahh the joys (and expense!) of IS! The build quality of the lens is also very good and the tripod collar makes a great handle for lifting the whole lot. Be aware though that a new version has comeout (DG) which I think has got better coatings on the optics(?), though apparently it's more expensive as well...
Phil / Mick,
I used to have a monopod and for a few airshows I would try swinging the camera around with the tripod attached.... trouble is it was quite annoying for the folks whose hats I knocked off! ... ended up selling it and the cheap Velbon tripod on Ebay. In their place I've recently invested in a SLIK Pro 700DX tripod with the 4 way head... Lovely bit of kit and rock solid!
Anyway, back to the subject at hand... not many folks using tripods.... didn't think so.
Thanks all!
Rez
Flightlineimages DOT Com Photographer & Web Editor. RR Turbines Specialist
F9Widebody From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1604 posts, RR: 11 Reply 5, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1587 times:
Quoting Philhyde (Reply 2): (have to buy a separate tripod ring for the EF 70-200 f/4L lens),
Just an fyi, I always use my tripod on my 300D - without the ring on the 70-200 and it does just fine.
UA777222 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 3348 posts, RR: 13 Reply 7, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1552 times:
I would use a tripod but my Lowepro Minitrekker does don't carry it very well. Seeing as it had to weigh around 4-7lbs I don't want to carry it by hand. The ball head on it is amazing! Worth ever penny. Well I didn't pay for it as I got a deal at the camera shot with my 100-400 purchase.
Thanks,
Matt
Oh IS does help a bit. Well a little bit more than "a bit."
Philhyde From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 674 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1545 times:
Quoting F9Widebody (Reply 5): Just an fyi, I always use my tripod on my 300D - without the ring on the 70-200 and it does just fine.
That might work OK with the 300D and a tripod, but the 10D is a bit bulkier and the monopod provides less support. Adding the 1.4x teleconvertor would surely make it worse. As a first step, and since the tripod ring is currently on back-order everywhere, I plan on investing in a more substantial monopod.
Airplanepics From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2003, 2725 posts, RR: 45 Reply 10, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1509 times:
Quoting European (Reply 9): Even if I had a big one I think I would.
Aviopic From Netherlands, joined Mar 2004, 2681 posts, RR: 46 Reply 12, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1479 times:
I expected to see some "fisherman" talk in this topic.
Not even one person telling us shooting hand held with 1/25s at 800mm on a windy day, I am disappointed.
Anyway I do use a mono or tripod quite often.
The point is that even if you think the result is quite good the use of a tripod will always make it better and at least not lucky shot.
Willem
The truth lives in one’s mind, it doesn’t really exist
Ander From Spain, joined Jan 2005, 367 posts, RR: 23 Reply 17, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 1356 times:
Using a tripod, like everything else, takes time to get used to.
I use a Manfrotto 190 with a 141 RC head, usually for panning.
It is very helpful when you are level and with the runway.
I believe results with low light are good, allow me to self-plug
F4wso From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 974 posts, RR: 13 Reply 18, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 1335 times:
I go the economy route. For indoor images, I have a six foot chain with a tripod screw attached to one end. I step on the loose end to steady my camera. I was queried about my setup at the Udvar-Hazy Center and couldn't resist saying it was for grounding my camera to dissipate static electricity.
APFPilot1985 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 20, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1208 times:
I just got my bigma on tuesday and as its been raining all week in south florida i havent had the oppertunity to use it. I'm going to try it handheld on tuesday assuming that the weather is good.
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... ended up selling it and the cheap Velbon tripod on Ebay. In their place I've recently invested in a SLIK Pro 700DX tripod with the 4 way head... Lovely bit of kit and rock solid!
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