Ok you guys in the Forum have provided excellent info on monopods, per se. So how many have used a BushHawk Shoulder Mount set up as a substitute especially for wildlife stuff.
I have used tripods, monopods, and the Bushhawk. IMO, the best method generaly is straight hand held. You just need to learn how to do it properly.
There are several problems with using a bushhawk.
1. It isn't balanced well for use with the bigger lenses. It's ok with 400mm F5.6 and smaller, but still not as good as straight hand held.
2. The trigger button is the only button easily accessable by your right hand. this means the other controls on your camera are difficult to use. This is a real problem for me when shooting still subjects because I use the * button for Af lock and this button is not anailable when using the bushhawk.
3. It adds extra weight
If after reading this you still are interested in the bushhawk, I've got one I'd be willing to sell.
Mike - you might try posting this in the nature and wildlife forum. I am also interested in your question and perhaps you may get more responses in the other forum. Just a thought.
Mike,
I've only used a Bushawk a couple of times and for me it was superior to hanholding with a 70-200 f2.8 IS and a 400DO, but while I haven't done a direct comparison I don't think it was quite as good as a monopod. I could see it being superior for BIF but that's not my thing so I can't say from experience. You can always rent one for a week and see.
I got one this spring to use on with A D2n+300IS. It was a great combo working from a boat this summer. Much better than a monopod or handheld. I outfittted mine with a heavy duty strap so you can load some of the weight onto your shoulders when not shooting. I found this helped with fatigue a lot. I have no reservations about using it for decent light applications.
If i wasn't worried about drawing a swat team to me (it does look like some odd military weapon all hooked up)I'd use it for sports during the day.
It works but you must use AV mode.
Since it's impossible to change exposure quickly with your hand out at the front of the stock on the trigger.
The meter is thrown off so much with birds in flight that I find this a real problem.
Most of my shooting involves big scene changes behind the bird with small changes of light on the bird, so I use manual exposure.
Andrew J wrote:
It works but you must use AV mode.
Since it's impossible to change exposure quickly with your hand out at the front of the stock on the trigger.
The meter is thrown off so much with birds in flight that I find this a real problem.
Most of my shooting involves big scene changes behind the bird with small changes of light on the bird, so I use manual exposure.
Good point! I shoot manual almost all the time and specialize in BIF. This was another reason I abandoned the Bushhawk. BTW: I got my Bushhawk from a customer who tried it and didn't like it. He gave it to me so I could try it.
