These shots are excellent Geoff.
Your post has prompted me to start researching Kayaks as I may purchase one. I'd be interested in hearing about your set-up in the boat.
Thanks for sharing.
Jason
jaylee73 wrote:
These shots are excellent Geoff.
Your post has prompted me to start researching Kayaks as I may purchase one. I'd be interested in hearing about your set-up in the boat.
Thanks for sharing.
Jason
Thanks Jason,
Getting low with the kayak is what gives the pictures that special touch... I started my kayak search years ago after seeing Mitesh and Ron and others post there awesome SFK (shot form kayak) images.
So far I am just shooting handheld, I leave my camera/lens between my legs resting on my camera backpack. I paddle close enough and then pick up the camera and fire away. I will be adding a paddle clip/holder to easily store it out of the way while shooting but right now I just tuck it into the front elastic straps or leave it across my lap. I did try putting the tripod in the kayak also but I found I lacked the freedom of handholding so for now I'm going to go with lighter lenses ( 100-400 or 300II) instead of the 200-400 or 600 and shoot handheld. Down in Nanaimo I've been using 7D2 and 100-400II with great success with the same handholding technique.
Mitesh uses a much heavier but more stable fishing kayak that also can be driven with your feet so you don't even need the paddle most of the time. I looked at those but I needed one I could easily get off and on my SUV and hike a bit with it so I went for the lighter option but still a very stable option. They actually sell the Pungo with a fishing add-on so it is fairly stable and the cockpit is roomy so gear can easily fit between my legs. Also in my research, the Wilderness Systems had the best rated seat for comfort and that is usually my issue in kayaks as I'm 6'3" and don't always last more than an hour due to cramping and sore back but with this one over the weekend I comfortably paddled for almost 4 hrs without any issues.
Getting low with the kayak is what gives the pictures that special touch... I started my kayak search years ago after seeing Mitesh and Ron and others post there awesome SFK (shot form kayak) images.
So far I am just shooting handheld, I leave my camera/lens between my legs resting on my camera backpack. I paddle close enough and then pick up the camera and fire away. I will be adding a paddle clip/holder to easily store it out of the way while shooting but right now I just tuck it into the front elastic straps or leave it across my lap. I did try putting the tripod in the kayak also but I found I lacked the freedom of handholding so for now I'm going to go with lighter lenses ( 100-400 or 300II) instead of the 200-400 or 600 and shoot handheld. Down in Nanaimo I've been using 7D2 and 100-400II with great success with the same handholding technique.
Mitesh uses a much heavier but more stable fishing kayak that also can be driven with your feet so you don't even need the paddle most of the time. I looked at those but I needed one I could easily get off and on my SUV and hike a bit with it so I went for the lighter option but still a very stable option. They actually sell the Pungo with a fishing add-on so it is fairly stable and the cockpit is roomy so gear can easily fit between my legs. Also in my research, the Wilderness Systems had the best rated seat for comfort and that is usually my issue in kayaks as I'm 6'3" and don't always last more than an hour due to cramping and sore back but with this one over the weekend I comfortably paddled for almost 4 hrs without any issues. ...Show more →
juststeve wrote:
Wilderness Systems has an optional foot-operated rudder for the Pungo. I find a rudder useful for wildlife photography. One can paddle up a good speed, then glide, steering with the rudder.
This is useful around sensitive birds as the paddle motion is often upsetting to wilder birds.
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Thao_Nguyen wrote:
Wow! you can come to this close - Very nice images
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sritri wrote:
downright gorgeous shots Geoff
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louie champan wrote:
What a cool looking kayak. Love the low angle you got on these shots, very well done.
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morris wrote:
1, 2, 3 and the last are my picks Geoff. -1c is warm, try that with 50 MPH wind while it's raining at -1C!
Have a blast with your new boat
Morris
Thanks guys...the snow yesterday has brought a quick halt to my fall kayak season but actually that will probably be all gone by the weekend and then I hope to get out there and get some more images from it and refine my setup/technique.
Geoff, congrads on the new toy. However, we will be the benefactor(s) with all the great images. Just think, next spring/summer, we will be able to see images of the juvenile grebes even after the winds blow the nests to the middle of the lake
A few questions though,
How much extra stability will there be if you carry three bodies and six lenses vs. one body with a 100-400 and a TC
Does the boat come with a battery operated seat and foot warmer for those cold outings
Storage: In the guest room -- certainly not outside ?
This is of interest to me too Geoff. I talked with a guy earlier this year who had a kayak made of Kevlar and it weighed a ridiculous 12-14 lb!! Curious to know what your rig weighs?
-Cam
onegreatcity wrote:
This is of interest to me too Geoff. I talked with a guy earlier this year who had a kayak made of Kevlar and it weighed a ridiculous 12-14 lb!! Curious to know what your rig weighs?
-Cam
Mine is 49lbs. Manageable over my shoulder for some short walks to access a few lakes that you can't park right beside but no way I'm carrying that very far.
I have the same boat. An older model but same basic design. I never shot pictures from it, just used it for fishing but you have just inspired me to try.
Thanks for answering my question before I even asked it...my kayak is meant more for touring and probably not the best for shooting out of, so was curious which one you ended up with. Would love to start shooting from one.
