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

skyvan
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p.2 #1 · 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.2 #2 · 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.2 #3 · 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.2 #4 · 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.2 #5 · 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

skyvan
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p.2 #6 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Jeff, that's not lame. There are good shooters I know of who shoot D1 games with just 1 lens, in fact most of the people i've seen shooting D1 hockey for the AP shoot with just one camera. I only recently came upon having a second camera after I was unable to sell my D90 after I upgraded to a D700.

Nov 17, 2009 at 09:41 AM

Pixel1970
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p.2 #7 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Scott Sewell wrote:

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

What am I supposed to say? All I know is when you have a monopod with a super tele, it makes following the action more difficult especially when the action moves quickly across field rather than coming at you, especially in red zone situations.
I understand back problems and arm fatigue when you're holding a pro body and a 70-200 2.8, happens to me all the time, but my question was regarding the Rebel and 28-200 4.5-5.6 plastic lens that can't weigh more than a pound combined! These people would get much better pictures sans the monopod!

Nov 17, 2009 at 01:29 PM

Pixel1970
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p.2 #8 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Steve Ickes wrote:
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.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

...and this is just a disaster waiting to happen, most fields ban tripods completely. I can't believe this guy is allowed out there. If he insists on using this rig he should be behind the fence to protect himself, his gear and most importantly the players.

Nov 17, 2009 at 01:33 PM

Bob Cox
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p.2 #9 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Are we allowed to have a chuckle and pass this along if we happen to see this on the sideline

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

(As seen in a post on SS.com) I think we need to loosen up a little and take some starch out of the collar. Life is to short not to have a laff once in awhile. JMO

Nov 17, 2009 at 01:55 PM

ishootsports3
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p.2 #10 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

skyvan wrote:
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.

i understand it as you did it, i meant as you only body...
The truth is that its out of or almost out of the optical chain so your gonna get the picture however your gona get the picture

Nov 17, 2009 at 02:17 PM

WmPat
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p.2 #11 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

Pixel1970 wrote:
What am I supposed to say? All I know is when you have a monopod with a super tele, it makes following the action more difficult especially when the action moves quickly across field rather than coming at you, especially in red zone situations.
I understand back problems and arm fatigue when you're holding a pro body and a 70-200 2.8, happens to me all the time, but my question was regarding the Rebel and 28-200 4.5-5.6 plastic lens that can't weigh more than a pound combined! These people would get much better pictures sans the monopod!

Photographers come in all different sizes and strength levels, as does their equipment. Where one might say that a monopod makes shooting more difficult another might say that the monopod makes the same shooting possible. I have tried handholding my 200 f1.8/MkIIn combo for night HS football and it just doesn't work for me. A monopod makes it possible, and once you get used to it, is not really very restrictive. I still can move up and down the sideline, quickly if I have to, and go around to the end zone when I want to. I have learned how to adjust the monopod's height on the move so that I can go directly to a kneeling position if that's appropriate.

On the same topic but a different sport, I often wonder about posters who say they use big white glass like a 300 f2.8 or 400 f2.8 for basketball. I like to use shorter lenses like the 85 or the 135. To me, the bulkiness of the super-telephotos is too much to move as fast as you need to in keeping up with the fast action on the court. Even my 70-200 slows me down at times. But I have seen some fine basketball photos taken with the big glass so I think it really is a matter of personal preference.

If we all agreed, and all used the same equipment for a given sport, our photos would have less variety, and that would move them toward the boring end of the spectrum.

Nov 17, 2009 at 02:31 PM

j.brevard
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p.2 #12 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

I would rather have these people who shoot instead of the people getting a media pass and leaving the camera around their neck and watch the game cheering.

Nov 17, 2009 at 03:24 PM

skyvan
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p.2 #13 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

I agree about big glass for basketball, wider is better. 70-200 to get some shots from beyond the arc and a wide to get the action near the basket. The only reason I could see big glass being useful in Basketball is for facial close ups, and opposite side of the court shots. In the end though if you are going to go that way you really should have 3 bodies so you don't miss an action shot on your half of the court.

Nov 17, 2009 at 03:33 PM

Steve Ickes
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p.2 #14 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

At the end of the day, it's all about the images. How one chooses or can afford to get there is simply a personal choice. Do I like having to deal with a sideline crowded with P&S and "kit" cameras? Not necessarily but its not my choice nor is it my concern. I do still chuckle to myself when I see a tiny, little camera on a fully extended monopod but not out of ridicule but simply because it looks funny, like a walking stick with a knob on the end

.

The majority of these folks are having fun and if I get a break I'll occasionally strike up a conversation. I also find that they are always respectful of my space and the fact that I'm working.The majority of people I talk to are intimidated, a bit self-conscience, and usually impressed with my rig in comparison to theirs. But I always make a point of pushing that aside and showing an interest in what they are doing. Life's too short to be cynical and pompous.

Actually, the photographers that I'd rather do without are those who may have just bought their first professional DSLR and a 70-200 f2.8 lens, decided to call themselves a professional photographer and make their way up and down the sidelines as if they were the only ones there. You can usually spot one at every game. While all the other "professionals" are standing back, lining up, and staying out of each others frames shooting the winning team with the trophy, they're the ones running right up to shoot the team, standing right in front of everyone else.

Besides, for all I know they may carry that little P&S camera around in a Porsche Carrerra

Nov 17, 2009 at 04:42 PM

Kevin Sherman
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p.2 #15 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

I usually prefer to hand-hold my 300 f2.8, but some days I like using a monopod. Easier and then I get to look cool when I balance the monopod with the 300 on my shoulder and don't need to hang onto it

Nov 17, 2009 at 05:53 PM

Pixel1970
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p.2 #16 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

I have tried handholding my 200 f1.8/MkIIn combo for night HS football and it just doesn't work for me.
Of course, that's a heavy lens!

Nov 19, 2009 at 01:47 PM

John P Mulgrew
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p.2 #17 · Small cameras/lenses on monopods at football games?

LMAO Bob hahahahahahaha

Pixel who cares

? Excuse me I need to put my Storm on a tripod to get shots of a football game now.

Nov 19, 2009 at 01:56 PM

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