On Tue, 14 Aug 2001 19:26:36 -0500, you wrote:
>I have a question for those that own or have used this lens. I know that
>this is a huge lens, but would it be possible to use this lens with a
>monopod? Or is a tripod necessary? The reason that I'm asking is that I
>can't imagine a much better zoom range for shooting long-range sports
>(ie-football, baseball, etc). Well, at least where there's no shortage of
>light. Thanks!
>
>Nick
I can comment on the 600/4 with a monopod, but I can't
comment on the 250-600, because I've never seen one or
handled one.
Everyone who shoots sports with big glass most often
uses a monopod. I'm not sure if they have a choice,
given the crowded nature of they areas in which they
are allowed to stand. The sports shooters I've seen use
Gitzo, lately carbon fiber I suppose. They connect the
lens directly to the monopod.
I use a very sturdy but inexpensive Bogen 3249B model,
which has four sections and collapses small enough to
fit in my airline carry-on bag. Rather than connectthe
600/f4 directly to the monopod, I put my Wimberly head
on the monopod and mount the lens on the Wimberley via
a Kirk quick-release. This adds a few inches of height,
and allows me to shoot upwards or downwards a lot
easier than just having the lens on the monopod.
So don't hesitate to think of shooting with big glass
on a monopod. People do it all the time.
However, shutter speeds lower than 1/180 are likely to
be influenced by camera shake. A night major league
baseball game using ISO 800 film allows 1/180 shutter
speeds at f4. So before one buys a 250-600/f5.6 for
event shooting, they should make sure their film speed
and lighting will allow fast enough shutter speeds at
f5.6.
--
Happy Trails,
Texdance
http://members.fortunecity.com/texdance
http://members1.clubphoto.com/john8202
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