Adorama shipped very fast even though it was supposedly out of stock. Now the fun begins in trying to find a rifle sling and Napa seat belt cover in Manhattan - hmm I guess it is more internet shopping.
Thank you for a very complete description of your setup.
I am thinking about getting a EF 400 f/4 IS for a 50D. Both the EF 24-105 f4L and EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS can be used handheld, although the 70-200 w/TC can get to be heavy to hold up after a while. Would it be worth it to use the BushHawk with the 400 f/4? Would it make any sense to change to the 70-200 and still use the BH? If yes, could a quick release setup be used to allow one to change between the two quickly? I would like to be able to take all 3 lenses with me.
Mike,
I can attest to that the suggested setup that Hotel uses does work out very well. While I'm not sure that I like the vertical front grip all that much, I do get nice stability and an increased ease of tracking BIF HH when using the BushHawk.
Some considerations: You do NOT want use a strap connected to the BushHawk for anything with any weight. It's just an ABS frame. You will need to connect a sling/strap directly to the larger lens. If you want to walk with the lens down by your hip you do need to find a sling that is long enough. So far I haven't found a suitable one here on the East Coast and I am using the strap that came with my 500 f4. It's ok but about 2-4 inches shorter than I would like.
For your 400 f4 IS: I would think you will find the increased stability of the BushHawk will be useful. But you're dealing with 3.2 pounds more weight than my 500 f4 IS. I'm not sure how that will balance for you on a Bush Hawk. Maybe an owner of a 400f4 IS can be some additional help.
On changing lenses on the BushHawk: It comes with a QR so disconnecting one lens and reconnecting another is easy. But you are talking about an expensive 11.7 # lens which requires and deserves careful handling. So while you can change out one lens for another in the field, I would suggest just getting a second BushHawk. You would then configure each the way you like it for each specific lens.
hth
edit: If I misunderstood the exact lens you intend, oops. BH shows a 400 f4 IS USM at 11.70#'s & $6800. After looking that up last nite, I was puzzled because the 400 f2.8 is also 11.7#'s & also $6800. So so much for relying on the BH as a lens database. I suspect they did a typo on the f-stop number. Sorry I should have caught that last nite.
So if you meant the 400 f4 DO IS lens, then, of course, my comments on the weight do not apply. The 400 DO is only 4.3 #'s, an easier carry on the BushHawk.
However, I would STILL only use a strap/sling attached to the lens, not to the BushHawk.
I got my BushHawk last week, and love it. I posted my first attempt pics, and got some great comments. I won't leave the house with out. Today I'm going to practice witt my 600mm mounted.
Hi you all,
I've just received my BushHawk 320D with the Canon EOS connection cable for my 1DmkII.
I have an issue with autofocus using the cross shutter release. I wonder if any of you have got similar issue, and how you might have solved it.
Thanks in advance.
Philippe
Issue? Not sure what you are referring to. What is it doing / not doing for you? & what do you mean by the "cross shutter release?
The only things I see different with the BushHawk cable shutter release are:
1) the need to keep the cable from dangling all over the place. So I tie the cable down to the frame and to the camera with velco straps.
2) the trigger button can be kind of tricky in that it does not give you much feedback for the 1/2 way focus position. And that it has a short travel. So sometimes you can unintentionally take great oof pictures of your foot when walking around.
I suspect they did a typo on the f-stop number. Sorry I should have caught that last nite.