I use an inexpensive Manfrotto 479 monopod that I bought about ten years ago to support the A* 400mm f2.8, which is nearly twice as heavy as the 500 f4.5 according to Boz's page. It's an awkward lens to hold until you get it onto the monopod, and then you suddenly discover that it's balanced magnificently and it barely feels like you've got a heavy lens at the end of the camera at all.
It's all about proper technique with the monopod, and I'm bad at trying to explain or teach things like that. Maybe someone else can chime in on that score. But you should have no trouble with that lens on a monopod. I'm shooting at 1/640 without trouble. What helped me a lot was learning where the DS2's release actually was. It's a very soft shutter button compared to what I was used to, and as a result I was hitting it too hard and adding a little extra shake to every photograph. Getting used to the fact that it's a very, very light touch has improved the sharpness of the photographs dramatically. I'm going to try dropping my shutter speed a bit in some tests next week to see how much better I've become with the button. Knowing your shutter button well will give a better advantage than any pricey head system or tricked-out monopod. Sitting with the camera in your hands while watching TV, pressing the shutter button over and over to get a feel for it, now that'll probably drive your family up the wall. Even with the camera off. I know it drives mine nuts. -Aaron On Jul 2, 2006, at 5:18 PM, Edson Maruyama wrote: > I've been checking some previous posts... haven't really seen any > regarding a monopod & a 500mm > f/4.5 lens. > > Sorry if this has been posted already... but I need some comments on a > Pentax Takumar 500mm f/4.5 > and some solutions to hold it steady! :) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
