Tripod head and BIG lenses - returned!!

[Jon]

I wrestled and waited and finally decided to take the plunge. I have a Canon 500mm f4 L IS and converters. I have a Manfrotto 055CLB and a couple of tripod heads including a large Manfrotto fluid video head. Ball heads and big lenses do not in general mix. Ideally you need to work without the effect of gravity working against you which of course is significant with a big lens.
I wasn't entirely happy in the end I looked all around on various websites and came to the conclusion that a Mongoose 3.5 Action head and probably a Gitzo 3030 lS tripod was the best option.

Well I bought them, the truth is the Manfrotto tripod would probably be OK for some of the time; the Gitzo is better and lighter. The Mongoose head is fantastic, no it is superb - or even better than that!. The combination is expensive but I can recommend it without reservation other than cost implications. The lens is effeectively weightless and can be moved laterally and vertically with the touch of a fingertip and if I let go the lens will just stay there.

Jon

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Jon

The Mongoose head is fantastic, no it is superb - or even better than that!. The combination is expensive but I can recommend it without reservation other than cost implications. The lens is effeectively weightless and can be moved laterally and vertically with the touch of a fingertip and if I let go the lens will just stay there.

Jon

I'd never heard of the Mongoose and can't find it on any UK retailer website. It does look impressive though. Did you import it?

My setup for the same lens cost less than £400. Manfrotto 393 + Velbon CF-730 Tripod. It would be interesting to compare them side-by-side. If you're ever in West Yorkshire give me shout

[MagpieMick]

I've never heard of the Mongoose either, i use the 393 as well excellent head for the money....!!!

Jon,
Well done and good luck with the new lens its a massive new learning curve, thats going to take some getting use too...

Try these sites :

Nature Photography

Proper Long Lens Technique

Mick ......

[SteveHL]

Jon
Good luck it takes a lot of time and practice to get the technique right. picking out of focus subjects also takes time but when you start to get it right all that practice becomes worthwhile.
All the best and keep practicing. Theres a great section in Art Morris bird photography book on long lens technique and hints and tips.
regards
SteveHL

[Jon]

Mick, Steve, thanks for the encouragement, in fact I blame Arthur Morris, I bought the tripod, tripod head and CD book from him!
I know there is a lot of hype - from a British point of view, but I have to hand it to those guys - they really do know how to make good images. The critique on the web site relay does make me think about what I want to capture. Whether I capture it of course is an entirely different matter!

Do you have any suggestions for long lens subjects at his time of the year, I have asked Richard (Billypilgrim), it is probably a good idea to go to local reserves with lakes or meres, any other ideas in the North West or Wales would be appreciated.

Jon

[denisg]

Ashamed to say, never heard of it, a link would have been nice here if they were allowed

Once you get used to it Jon, why not add it to Reviews

Denis.

[SteveHL]

Jon
The local park is a god place to practice as the birds are already habituated. If you have a feeding site thats also good.
Once you get the feel for static birds ie birds on a perch them you can move on to flight photography.
I tried to get Dragonflies in flight last year using a sigma 500mm mounted on a wimberly head and once you could lock on to the dragonfly it wasn't that difficult the problem was finding the subject with the lens first.
Its a long and will be frustrating apprentiship but believe me its worth the journey when you start getting the results.Oh yeah them theres the backgrounds to work on......
Have fun and don't pull out too much hair and keep us up to date on how you're getting on...and remember if you need some moral support I'm only a PM away
Cheers
SteveHL

[MagpieMick]

I agree with Steve,

Local Park or anywhere that you know, Jon that has alot of subjects fairly close and which will give you the chance to rattle off loads of shots..
And it doesn't matter what the subject is really just take loads !!!!!

Mick..

[Jon]

Thanks guys, I do go to the local parks, there is a small local one referred to as Gilroy Park, I think it is a case of the more I go the more likely I will see something, it is only small but has good visitors - it has been noted in birdguide.

There is only one local RSPB reserve with a hide and 9/10 the birds are too distant for decent quality images, again though if I put the hours in I will get something.

I find the Canon 20D very poor at AF, I am looking out for a new body. I am tempted with the 40D but the 50D cannot be far away now.

Jon

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Jon

There is only one local RSPB reserve with a hide and 9/10 the birds are too distant for decent quality images, again though if I put the hours in I will get something.
Jon

Have you tried any of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust sites? (I've got it in my head that you're from the Wirral, ie. Birkenhead)

I'm a member of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and I very much prefer their sites to the RSPB ones. The bird hides tend to be closer to their subjects (my local one at Bretton is about 10 feet from the lake edge) and they are usually a lot quieter - which I really like. They are more diverse too as they aren't just for birds. The only downside seems to be that some of them are quite small.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Nature reserves

[zan]

Originally Posted by Jon

I find the Canon 20D very poor at AF, I am looking out for a new body. I am tempted with the 40D but the 50D cannot be far away now.
Jon

hehe! I wouldn't hold your breath The 40D was only released last autumn, so it'll be at least another year before they release a 50d I'd guess (based on past upgrade cycles of the X0D series). The 40d is a really good camera, and probably the best Canon for wildlife short of the 1D MkIII, and if I were you, I'd be tempted to go with that, if only for the images you could get (or miss) waiting for the next upgrade (because then there will be the 60D to wait for!).

Zan