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Archive 2009 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Pixel19
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p.1 #1 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

I don't get this phenomenon?
Almost every football game I've gone to this year, half the photographers there have a camera and lens combination that probably weighs less than my hat set up on a monopod? Why? Sometimes I think it's because they want to fit in with the crowd but maybe I'm wrong and they're just lazy.
If I could handhold my 400 f2.8 or 600 f4, you better darn well believe I would! A monopod is a major hindrance to me I can't imaging trying to use on a small camera and lens combo on a monopod, that would be "photo" suicide for me!

Nov 15, 2009 at 03:08 PM

clarence3
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p.1 #2 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

A lot of them record each play on video clips.

Handheld video on a lightweight digicam makes you seasick. A monopod helps A LOT.

Nov 15, 2009 at 03:11 PM

Jonathan Knight
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p.1 #3 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

+1 to Clarence.

Also, these people are typically using slower (f4-5.6 type of lenses) so at night games they don't have much of a prayer (with or without a monopod).

Honestly, as goofy as it looks, it's just another use of a monopod aside from stabilizing the heavier lenses "we" see as being the "normal" way of using a monopod.

Nov 15, 2009 at 03:39 PM

Scott Sewell
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p.1 #4 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

What I find interesting are sports photographers who give a rats arse about what gear other people use on the sideline and how they use it.

Nov 15, 2009 at 04:28 PM

clarence3
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p.1 #5 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Scott Sewell wrote:
What I find interesting are sports photographers who give a rats arse about what gear other people use on the sideline and how they use it.

I'm always interested in what gear sports photographers are using on the sideline. I learned a lot by seeing how you handle 2 cameras. I learned a lot by seeing Dennis's flash bracket, off-camera shoe cord, and external flash battery. I learned how to rotate the camera between vertical/horizontal orientation by using the lens tripod ring. Basic stuff, really, but you can learn by observing/asking.

Nov 15, 2009 at 04:39 PM

PShizzy
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p.1 #6 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

If I could handhold my 400 f2.8 or 600 f4, you better darn well believe I would!

I'm with Scott: What's it matter? I know people with back pain and they can barely hold up anything, so they shoot the best way they can.

I remember seeing an image of Paul Alesse shooting cheer or gymnastics and using a special device on his arm to help keep up his 70-200. How's that rank on your "fitting in" or "maybe they're just lazy" scale

rather than make a judgement about someone, why not just ask about their situation.

Nov 15, 2009 at 04:51 PM

dmwierz
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p.1 #7 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

PShizzy wrote:
If I could handhold my 400 f2.8 or 600 f4, you better darn well believe I would!

I'm with Scott: What's it matter? I know people with back pain and they can barely hold up anything, so they shoot the best way they can.

I remember seeing an image of Paul Alesse shooting cheer or gymnastics and using a special device on his arm to help keep up his 70-200. How's that rank on your "fitting in" or "maybe they're just lazy" scale

rather than make a judgement about someone, why not just ask about their situation.

Is this the same guy who gave me such a hard time at Navy Pier when I mentioned that I was considering pulling out my monopod to use on my MkIIn and 70-200 after two long days shooting gymnastics

?

Yeah, I have to admit to having thought less-than-positive things when I've seen folks with kit lenses on their shiny new DSLR's or point-n-shoots standing on the sidelines using monopods, but Scott and Max are right - what's the big deal?

Nov 15, 2009 at 06:02 PM

Pixel19
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p.1 #8 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Like I said in the in the last sentence of my OP. A monopod is too restrictive to catch action quickly when you need to. I just think these people are basically putting on hand cuffs when they put their tiny cameras and lenses on monopods
Oh well, to each his own!

Nov 15, 2009 at 08:13 PM

Ralph Thompson
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p.1 #9 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

It takes all kinds to spin the planet!

I agree with Scott, but I do chuckle a bit when I see mom/dad with a camera on the sidelines with a monopod that weighs more than the camera/lens combo with the monopod screwed into the body(and they aren't shooting video).

Nov 16, 2009 at 07:01 PM

clarence3
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p.1 #10 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

A monopod might also be useful as a subtle non-verbal message of "don't bother me and don't stand in front of me... I'm shooting the game"

Nov 16, 2009 at 07:07 PM

cm0rris0n
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p.1 #11 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

This is slightly off-topic but this thread reminded me of what I saw. At first I thought it was kinda weird, but then the more I thought about it, the more I think it's genious.

I've seen a guy who has this (steal?) plate (not sure if he made it himself or what) on top of his monopod with two mount points spread apart so that his longer lens (200-400 maybe?) and his 70-200 both sit atop his monopod.

It presumably allows him to switch to the shorter lens just by moving his head a few inches into the other viewfinder and firing away. I'm sure it takes some time getting used to the balancing act this must be, not to mention the weight of it all, but I thought it was pretty sweet the more I thought about it.

I'll try to get a pic and more details from him if I see him again.

Nov 16, 2009 at 08:29 PM

John Korduner
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p.1 #12 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

I'm perpetually amazed by how much interest photographer's put into the behavior of strangers. I used a monopod for my 70-200 religiously until a couple of months ago...and people would always ask "why?"

Saturday I went handheld with a 300 on a full frame and a 400 on my crop. During the Nicholls game, a couple people mentioned I was crazy, and I probably am. Then, later at LSU I was informed it wasn't a wise decision because I'd be too worn out at the end of the game...by the end of the night I couldn't raise my arm above my chest, and I'm sure they felt vindicated by the statements, so I didn't have the heart to tell them they were off by few quarters. Nonetheless, I just have to wonder if people have too much free time on their hands.

Nov 16, 2009 at 08:32 PM

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p.1 #13 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Well as you get older, at least for me, you tend to loose some strength. I shot a tennis tourney over a weekend a few months ago, with my 40D, plus battery grip, plus 70-200 hand held, thats about 8 straight hours of shooting each day. On monday I couldn't raise my arms above my shoulder. I use a monopod now, for tennis, rowing, football, just about anything where it's pretty much all horizontal. Volleyball and basketball, no way, has to be hand held, same as concerts. I just shot a music festival this past weekend, three days of shooting, about 3,500 shots all hand held, carrying to bodies, I am sore as hell today (plus walking over 19 miles for the weekend).

Edited on Nov 17, 2009 at 01:33 PM · View previous versions

Nov 16, 2009 at 08:50 PM

teppy1
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p.1 #14 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

i couldn't agree with scott more. i was wondering why ask that question? I use a 70-200 lens with my monopod because without it my back really hurts after a game. I really don't like lugging it around, but it is necessary for me.

Nov 16, 2009 at 10:11 PM

Caleb Williams
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p.1 #15 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

cm0rris0n wrote:
This is slightly off-topic but this thread reminded me of what I saw. At first I thought it was kinda weird, but then the more I thought about it, the more I think it's genious.

I've seen a guy who has this (steal?) plate (not sure if he made it himself or what) on top of his monopod with two mount points spread apart so that his longer lens (200-400 maybe?) and his 70-200 both sit atop his monopod.

It presumably allows him to switch to the shorter lens just by moving his head a few inches into the other viewfinder and firing away. I'm sure it takes some time getting used to the balancing act this must be, not to mention the weight of it all, but I thought it was pretty sweet the more I thought about it.

I'll try to get a pic and more details from him if I see him again.

I've never seen this but only heard about it on FM in the past.

I think photo stores sell things like this.

See this: http://photo.net/filters-bags-tripods-accessories-forum/00SVkQ

Nov 16, 2009 at 10:33 PM

ishootsports3
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p.1 #16 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

the 70-200 on monopod i understand for long durations or plus a tc, my pod quite literally lives on my 300 2.8 but the freedom is nice when i shoot it handheld... until i cant hold it any more

Nov 16, 2009 at 11:03 PM

davis smith
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p.1 #17 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Some of you old timers could chill a bit. The OP wasn't rude, but if you check your responses - you might have been.

Nov 16, 2009 at 11:12 PM

Scott Sewell
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p.1 #18 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Interesting that this thread came up when it did. Just this past Saturday as I walked onto a D1 football field to shoot, another person asked me "do you think someone will laugh at me because of my gear?" This person had never shot any college football and didn't have gear that was what most would think a typical football shooter might use. My response was, "no one that matters will care."

I went on to explained to this person that, based on my experience,those "old timer" pros who have years of exerience have more important things to worry about than what the person next to them is using or how they are using it. Ya know, simple little things like focusing on the flow of the game so they are able to capture peak action or whatever it is that defines the event. Oh yea, and we usually are working under deadline and have to get those quality images to a newsroom or client on deadline.

There are several others in this thread who we know regularly work in media rooms full of very seasoned sports photographers. I would be surprised if many/any of us could recall hearing other pros questioning someone else's gear or how they use their gear. Maybe I'm hanging around the wrong kinds of sports shooters, but in my experience it just doesn't matter. So, I didn't think the OP's post was rude nor did I get the sense that other's responses were rude. It just seems like something very inconsequential in the grand scheme of sports photography.

Having said that, I tend to believe that when someone makes strong blanket statements like "a monopod is too restrictive to catch action quickly or using a monopod is like "putting on hand cuffs, maybe they could back up those kinds of statements with more detail about their experience that would support those kinds of comments.

CPQI

Nov 17, 2009 at 12:16 AM

Jonathan Knight
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p.1 #19 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Scott,

So you mean I wasn't supposed to question Charlie Riedel why in the world he uses a 500 instead of a 400 on a converter?

I mean...he's only shot sports for more years than I've been alive and has shot multiple Olympics. He should know better.

=)

Nov 17, 2009 at 12:58 AM

Steve Ickes
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p.1 #20 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

How about a BIG lens on a tripod?!!? Shooting from the sidelines with a tripod and Wimberly head has gotta make it tough to follow the action

! Caught sight of this guy recently at a local Peewee football Super Bowl. Obviously a "birder", probably shooting as a favor for a friend who's son was playing.

I'll be honest, I did chuckle to myself at first but that quickly gave way to lens envy since I only had a 400mm f2.8 at the time

. Needless to say he didn't move once during the whole game.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

I see people all the time with P&S cameras mounted on monopods but really don't think twice about it, really don't have the time.

Nov 17, 2009 at 04:01 AM

skyvan
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p.1 #21 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Actually shooting with a large lens mounted on a tripod isn't as hard as it may seem. I set up a 400 2.8 (with a 1.7tc) and shot a Soccer game with it as my primary and a 70-200 on my secondary body. It worked out pretty well. I didn't use a Wimberly head though, I just put it on a ballhead and quickly locked it in place when I wasn't using it. I didn't want to have to use a monopod with the 400 for a 2:30 hour game (including senior day after the game) and I didn't want to have to leave the lens on the grass as it was soggy and the sidelines were covered with snow.

Nov 17, 2009 at 04:15 AM

Steve Ickes
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p.1 #22 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

To each his own. Whatever you're accustomed to is what you're going to do. I personally just cannot imagine trying to move around effectively and constantly with a tripod. Just cannot even imagine shooting football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, golf, hockey, or any sporting event without a monopod for my 400. Fast, lightweight, folds up and extends quickly, and provides plenty of support. Don't even get me started on ballheads for sports

Nov 17, 2009 at 05:56 AM

ishootsports3
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p.1 #23 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

imagine how long it would take to drop down and kneel with a tripod

Nov 17, 2009 at 06:00 AM

skyvan
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p.1 #24 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

ishootsports3 wrote:
imagine how long it would take to drop down and kneel with a tripod
That's what the second body is for. Also at least when I shoot with a tripod I can easily pick it up and move it and it provides me more flexibility than a monopod because I can more quickly chase action with my second body without having to throw a big lens over my shoulder. But as has been said earlier, to each is own, and if it produces satisfactory images then the means to get there shouldn't be that important.

Nov 17, 2009 at 06:09 AM

Jeff_Stapleton
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p.1 #25 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

I guess I'm lame...

I just now went to a 2 camera setup since I got my new camera (30D+grip and 7D). My 'big' lens is only a 300/4L. I hardly shoot without it. My hands arent that steady, but its just easier to lean on a monopod then handhold a camera to my face for 3 hours. Now, i can quickly switch from one camera to the other without dropping either.

I only shoot D3 sports

Nov 17, 2009 at 06:14 AM


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