p.1 #1 · Advice for Brooks Falls Platform Setup – 200–400mm f/4 + R5 + Monopod vs. Tripod?
Hi all,
I’m headed to Alaska for a month this summer and will be camping at Brooks Camp in early July. I’m a semi-pro landscape photographer shifting gears into wildlife for this trip, and I’ve got a gear question I’m hoping some of you might be able to help with, especially if you’ve photographed from the Brooks Falls platform.
My primary wildlife setup is:
Canon R5
EF 200–400mm f/4L IS with built-in 1.4x
Gitzo 3532LS tripod + RRS leveling base + PG-01 pano setup (converted to a side-mount gimbal using PG-CC cradle clamp)
RRS carbon monopod with MH-02 head
Total rig weight is about 10 lbs. I’m aware that tripods aren’t allowed to be deployed on the main platform when it’s busy, but I’ve read conflicting info, some say you can use them like monopods; others suggest rangers may allow legs if it’s quiet.
Since I’ll be camping, I plan to shoot early and late, when crowds thin. I’ll have the option to stash extra gear in King Salmon and travel light to brooks falls.
My question: For those of you who’ve photographed at Brooks with big glass, did you prefer a monopod or a gimbal/tripod setup? Did you wish you had both? Anyone have a magic 8 ball to ask to predict what Rangers will allow on the falls platform early in the season?
Thanks in advance for any practical tips from folks who’ve been there.
p.1 #2 · Advice for Brooks Falls Platform Setup – 200–400mm f/4 + R5 + Monopod vs. Tripod?
I've been there, shooting for two days in early July a few years ago. It was monopods only the whole time I was there. If I were to go again, I'd still bring a tripod for doing landscape shots, but there's no way I'd bother carrying it out to the falls.
p.1 #3 · Advice for Brooks Falls Platform Setup – 200–400mm f/4 + R5 + Monopod vs. Tripod?
I know it is not specific to the platform, however, something you may want consider is applying for a permit to walk down to the river edge and or in the river to get eye level shots. Here is a brief synopsis- "A permit is required to access the Brooks River Corridor in Katmai National Park and Preserve, specifically from June 15 to October 31. This permit, valid for seven days, restricts activities within the corridor (the river and 50 yards from the banks) to a maximum group size of six individuals, excluding redfish fishery subsistence activities. Permits are free but require a $6 booking fee and can be obtained online at Recreation.gov or at the Brooks Camp Visitor Center." It is worth taking chest waders & boots or you can rent them at Brooks Falls, however, they are a bit pricey. I took two bodies ( one with a 24- 70 and the other with a 300mm) with a dual camera body harness so I didn't have to change up lenses in possible wet conditions. I was glad to have both camera options.
p.1 #4 · Advice for Brooks Falls Platform Setup – 200–400mm f/4 + R5 + Monopod vs. Tripod?
Thanks for confirming this. We actually have a river permit while we are there and are bringing waders for our kids. Walking the river is quite possibly the part of this trip I'm most excited to do, albeit a bit terrifying! I rented a second body that I plan to sling with my 70-200 while I have my R5 with the 200-400 on a tripod. I hope this setup works well!
p.1 #6 · Advice for Brooks Falls Platform Setup – 200–400mm f/4 + R5 + Monopod vs. Tripod?
I have been to Brooks falls five times and was always able to use my tripod but was only able to go when the crowds were not as big. The decks have a rail that you brace for hand holding but is hard on the elbows after a while. I found early mornings were very difficult because on clear days the light was very harsh, especially with the light reflecting of the water. It is nice to shoot before the day trippers get there and after they leave to go back to King Salmon. I am have a bad back and called ahead to bring my baby stroller to carry my gear the 2,5miles to the main platform and leave it at the gathering place in a small room. Saved my life since you are not allowed to take any food or drink besides water so have to go back in mid day and return for evening if you want to eat anything. Be aware that the bears are dark with a bright white water background so make sure to add some light or the bears will come out with no details. If I were to go again, I think a monopod works fine but there are times it is nice to just not have to hold onto I am sure you will have a great time and if you stay overnight in King Salmon, look out for the hotel fox at the King Salmon Inn, The feed it the left over chicken at night and it came over and licked my boot when I sat down at the top of the outside stairs . Bruce
