Monopod or Tripod - Sigma 135-400???

Waz · 27th October 2004

Hi

I am quite interested in getting a Sigma 135-400mm APO lens.
It is heavy... about 1.2 kg to be exact. Experience with heavy lens is only with the Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 that I do not use any tripod or monopod.

can I get away using the Sigma lens with a monopod at the extreme range?
I hate to carry tripod. If I do not carry any kind of mount, what would be the range and at what speed can I get away with a decent image??

Thx

Wai · 27th October 2004

Get the Canon 100-400 IS, similar range as Sigma one, but with IS, so you dont need a monopod anymore

Waz · 27th October 2004

Nikon mount

Stoned · 27th October 2004

nikkor 80-400 VR?

smallaperture · 27th October 2004

In dSLR, 400mm is equivalent to 600mm, which is really very, very, very long.

Believe me that it is very, very difficult to shoot handheld. Slightly better with a monopod. Best with a tripod. BTW, what do you shoot at 600mm?

Frankly speaking, the longest I have tried is a 300 + 1.4x TC = 420. I wasn't able to do without tripod.

mpenza · 27th October 2004

depends a lot on the shooting conditions. If it's bright day light, you could even handheld and get sharp pics. If it's dark, the slow aperture might require the use of a tripod and remote release for sharp pics.

2100 · 27th October 2004

You will also need to take into account that for that lens to give out sharp pics, the aperture needs to be be at least f9-10. Probably f11 or f13 to be sharpest. So a tripod is recommended if you do not shoot outdoors. The lowest threshold of handholdability is probably 8AM in direct sunlight for a mid-toned object at ISO 400 at f11.

If you do not need sharp results (eg post on the web with 800 pixel pics or print 4R), shooting wide open would give you more leeway.

Buy a monopod first, it will help you by at least 1 stop. It's cheap anyway. Buy a Manfrotto 234RC head which is actually ok to use, only $30 or so.

amirhamzah1980 · 27th October 2004

Originally Posted by smallaperture

In dSLR, 400mm is equivalent to 600mm, which is really very, very, very long.

Believe me that it is very, very difficult to shoot handheld. Slightly better with a monopod. Best with a tripod. BTW, what do you shoot at 600mm?

Frankly speaking, the longest I have tried is a 300 + 1.4x TC = 420. I wasn't able to do without tripod.

u mean on any lens or on usin da VR lens it will increase . . . . ?

majere2sg · 27th October 2004

Try and see if you can get used to using a monopod first.. I tried a monopod with my 100-400 IS but couldn't get used to using it as it kinda of restricted me and end up shooting hand held instead..

stout · 27th October 2004

Originally Posted by Wai

Get the Canon 100-400 IS, similar range as Sigma one, but with IS, so you dont need a monopod anymore

Funny!!! Waz was asking advise to buy tripod or monopod, believe he got $$$ constrain, Wai .... think u very rich? or u got mental problem!

27th October 2004	#1
Waz Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 227	Monopod or Tripod - Sigma 135-400??? Hi I am quite interested in getting a Sigma 135-400mm APO lens. It is heavy... about 1.2 kg to be exact. Experience with heavy lens is only with the Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 that I do not use any tripod or monopod. can I get away using the Sigma lens with a monopod at the extreme range? I hate to carry tripod. If I do not carry any kind of mount, what would be the range and at what speed can I get away with a decent image?? Thx

27th October 2004	#4
Stoned Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Changi Posts: 4,376	nikkor 80-400 VR? __________________ My Personal Folio (of random events and things)

27th October 2004	#9
majere2sg Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore (SengKang) Posts: 2,992	Try and see if you can get used to using a monopod first.. I tried a monopod with my 100-400 IS but couldn't get used to using it as it kinda of restricted me and end up shooting hand held instead.. __________________ -Express yourself not in words- Majere2sg's Digital Photography

27th October 2004	#2
Wai Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Pole with Penguins Posts: 5,133	Get the Canon 100-400 IS, similar range as Sigma one, but with IS, so you dont need a monopod anymore

27th October 2004	#5
smallaperture Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Catchment Area Posts: 2,423	In dSLR, 400mm is equivalent to 600mm, which is really very, very, very long. Believe me that it is very, very difficult to shoot handheld. Slightly better with a monopod. Best with a tripod. BTW, what do you shoot at 600mm? Frankly speaking, the longest I have tried is a 300 + 1.4x TC = 420. I wasn't able to do without tripod.

27th October 2004	#6
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	depends a lot on the shooting conditions. If it's bright day light, you could even handheld and get sharp pics. If it's dark, the slow aperture might require the use of a tripod and remote release for sharp pics.

27th October 2004	#7
2100 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,116	You will also need to take into account that for that lens to give out sharp pics, the aperture needs to be be at least f9-10. Probably f11 or f13 to be sharpest. So a tripod is recommended if you do not shoot outdoors. The lowest threshold of handholdability is probably 8AM in direct sunlight for a mid-toned object at ISO 400 at f11. If you do not need sharp results (eg post on the web with 800 pixel pics or print 4R), shooting wide open would give you more leeway. Buy a monopod first, it will help you by at least 1 stop. It's cheap anyway. Buy a Manfrotto 234RC head which is actually ok to use, only $30 or so.