advice needed

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Bub-les

Thanks for all the advice. I've settled for the tamron 200-500. Thought the sigma 50-500 would be too heavy! Well now starts the learning curve. Trying to master the lens using a mono pod is not the easiest thing I've ever tried! Mind you between work and the weather I've not had much chance. Managed 1/2 hr at 3.30 today. Went to a spot by the coast to see what was around. It was home-time for the shags! I had fun trying to get them in flight!. Panning on a mono pod takes some getting used to. I'll up-load one of my piccies shortly. Its not as good as the majority here and I've already thought of a few things I should maybe have done to give myself a better chance eg altering the ISO setting from 100 which is where I tend to keep it as I hate noise! Anyway I hope you like the photo a little. Its good to practise in low light as I intend getting some sunsets/sunrises on the trip.

A good effort, I imagine your shutter speed was pretty low with ISO 100.

Your making life very difficult for yourself using ISO 100. I'm not familiar with your camera, but most modern DSLRs are quite capable of using ISO 400 as the lowest you should need to go. You should see no noise at that setting.
Of course, where your going, you may well be able to use ISO 100!

I wouldn't attempt to pan using my monopod, I always do them hand held. I find I can be much smoother that way.

Good luck with your familiarisation. I'm sure you'll get some excellent shots with that set up.

[mh68]

Roger`s iso1600 thread ( link below) has some good info about shooting at higher iso`s....theres also a link to an informative webpage on the subject too

Iso 1600

Mark H

[big bill]

Well done Bub-les on your first attempt with the new lens I agree with Graham about using the Monopod to pan with you do get a smoother action panning hand held keeping your legs firmly planted in one position and rotate your body from the waist and follow through once you have tripped the shutter as to Iso I dont think were you are going you will need to go above 100 but it will change for this country again as Graham said you can get away with an ISO of 400 sometimes some makes you can manage 800 without any noticable noise best of luck