Looking for tips, experience shooting 70-200mm 2.8. Should you use a monopod or sans, or do you like it for specific sports, shots? Do a lot of LL BBall, Football etc. Also going to add 1.4x teleconverter in the near future. Shoot Canon 50D.

Thanks

You can certainly shoot without a monopod, but for football and lacrosse I definitely prefer and recommend a monopod with the 70-200 or 100-400. I prefer to kneel or sit on the ground to get low. The monopod is almost completely collapsed... only extended enough to bring it up to my eye level. Loosen the tripod ring so you can pivot between landscape and portrait mode.

If you have the IS version, turn IS off if your shutterspeeds are faster than ~1/500".

I never use a monopod with my 70-200... but then again I usually have my D3/400mm on the monopod.

If I'm shooting exclusively with the 70-200 (when I want to shoot light) I like the flexibility of being able to go from landscape to portrait mode fast and I find I can pan with the action much faster. And a monopod just adds more unnecessary weight.

meignacio wrote:
If I'm shooting exclusively with the 70-200 (when I want to shoot light) I like the flexibility of being able to go from landscape to portrait mode fast and I find I can pan with the action much faster. And a monopod just adds more unnecessary weight.

I've shot using both a monopod and without a monopod and i find it inconvenient for any thing lighter than a 300 f/2.8.

For baseball and football I find it much easier to follow the action without a monopod, as meignacio says.

However, especially during the (college) football season, I see a lot of whom I'll just call amateurs (for the most part) who shoot with monopods on their 70-200 (+/- TC). I'm not saying that only amateurs do it, but I've never seen any real pros do it. Then again, most pros are used to shooting two or three bodies and keep their monopod attached to a 300/400mm lens.

For me, I can pretty easily shoot a 300 2.8 IS handheld (not for a super long time though), but you may not be as easily able to.

It also depends on whether or not you are standing or sitting. If I am sitting I use my knee and elbow as a natural support system (similar to holding a rifle: see this link http://www.hunter-ed.com/sc/course/ch3_shooting_positions.htm for an example of what I mean). Standing can be harder to hold for long times and if there is a break in the action I would recommend dropping the camera to a more comfortable position and rest a bit for the next peak in the action.

Hope this helps,

- Caleb

A 70-200 on a monopod holds you back in sports, a lot more than the help a monopod gives you.

Only use it if physically you cant handhold for any length of time

I have a Canon 300/4L IS lens and use it for baseball , soccer, and football and using a monopod becomes a hassle. I ony use it with heavier lenses I cannot hold for a long time.

I shoot motorsports. You spend a lot of time following the cars. I shoot the 70-200 and the 100-400. Sometimes after a long day without a rest your arms do get tired but I shoot hand held. The mono pod just gets in the way. Eat your Wheaties.

I don't have any long 2.8 lenses because I'm a cheap ba*&*rd but I do like using a monopod with the 300 f4 for certain sports. Baseball yes, for batting pictures, not so much if I'm trying to get fielding pictures. Soccer yes but only if I'm in the mood to deal with it, otherwise I usually just sit on the ground with my 300 on the camera and my 70-200 in my lap and switch as needed. I don't have a second digital body (see first line for explanation). Swimming, never.

I have a RRS bracket and clamp, so it's pretty easy to dump the monopod when I don't want it on anymore.

I see you're planning on using this for LL BB and football. Especially for the younger kids, you need to get low. Monopod makes that more difficult. Unless you're having back/arm issues I would not use it with that lens.

pappawheely wrote:The mono pod just gets in the way.

I'm gonna go against the grain here and say "yes" under certain circumstances.

First off, a more stable platform will get you sharper shots. This is fact. A stable platform will also help you get straighter shots. But it cuts mobility.

I use the monopod with my MkII and 70-200 2.8 when I am doing a tournament where I am shooting ALL day straight. Handholding for 10 hours in the hot sun is not an option.

More often than not I am using the 300 2.8 on the 'pod and the 70-200 on my R-Strap at my side.

If you shoot for long periods of time then the 'pod is the way to go. If you only shoot for a few hours or less at a time then handhold will be more flexible. Just perfect your technique for holding still and keeping your horizons straight. This will help you in PP.

I think its what you get used to. I've always used a monopod and frankly don't feel comfortable without it....it just feels funny.

Im sure if you have been used to hand holding a monopod would feel "funny"....

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here...its a matter of what works for you.

Anything longer or heavier than an 70-200 2.8 goes on a monopod. Especially on a crop body ... just too much for an 8-10 day not to have a little assistance with glass that heavy.

IMHO a monopod never hurts using it. that being said if i do not need to use one for a situation i wont. However there are instances where it allows me to not have to adjust ISO that extra bit and get a little less grain in images. but like i said if i do not have to use one i wont.

The 70-200 is a lightweight lens - shot it for years and never once felt need for a monopod.

Only when I went to the 300/2.8 did I get a monopod.

My left arm would fall off if I shot 1000 gymnasts over a weekend without a monopod...

I also shot motor sports (twice a week; each race is about 4 hours long) with a 70 - 200 VR and I don't use a monopod - 400 - 700 per night

They just get in the way

BlueReptile wrote:
My left arm would fall off if I shot 1000 gymnasts over a weekend without a monopod...

Bah. Wimp. (Although there have been times when I wish I did have one... IGI... *shivers*)

John

Monopod is only used with the 300 2.8 here.
A monopod with the 70-200 feels like I'm manipulating the monopod more
than the camera and lens.

Dave