Posted by Mark Jenkins on June 30, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I recently got a 500mm MF lens and a 2x teleconverter which is the first large lens I have owned. With the lens, converter, camera and tripod I find it a little awkward moving from one photo location to another. Could someone give me some advice on how to move with this equipment safely. Do I need to support the lens with my hand at all times or is it safe to suspend the setup and just carry it by the tripod legs as I have heard some do? I will have a Gitzo tripod, probably a GT3540LS and a ballhead, probably a Markins 20. Thanks for any advice.
There are lots of shattering (literally!) accounts of long lenses dismounting from tripods while being carried over a shoulder. We all do it, but hopefully with precations. My 500 has it's own carry strap. While I usually unclip (quick release snaps) my camera's strap while it's on a tripod, I leave the lens strap in place. When I pick up the rig, fold them together and balance the works over my shoulder for carry, I grab the lens strap in my hand and hang onto that along with the tripod. It's no extra effort or inconvenience, but if my rig comes apart, that lens is NOT going to hit the ground.
Another point is to pad the upper leg sections of your tripod, which greatly increases comfort.
And back to the lens carry strap, if I'm moving further than a few yards, I dismount the lens and camera from the tripod and sling it over my shoulder via the strap, just as I do with the camera strap when using shorter lenses. It's really convenient and easy. Then the tripod makes a handy walking staff, too.
Caution - be sure to keep the tripod legs well off the ground and pointed out when walking. Once when climbing up a short ledge, I "pogo'ed" the tripod legs into the step above as I bent my knee and pushed up (the ledge was about 2 feet high). Well those legs hit the ledge and kicked me over, and I couldn't stop from falling onto my side. I got away with just a couple dings on the 600mm hood and some bruises on my left side where I fell....luckily, I was able to keep from rolling, I landed half my body hanging over a 8 foot drop to the ocean/rocks below. Could have been much, much worse than just equipment damage.
I see a lot of folks carrying their rig with the tripod legs resting on their shoulder and the camera, lens, and gimbal mount hanging out in midair. That makes me nervous. I carry the barrel of the lens resting on my shoulder, camera towards the front, and tripod across my chest. If I'm going to walk more than a short distance, I'll collapse the legs. If I'm going to hike quite a ways, I dismount the lens and carry it on it's strap on my left shoulder and tripod on my right.
I carry my camera and tripod in a way similar to Hank, but rather than holding the lens strap, I have it around my neck. It's long enough that it hangs loosely, and the only way the camera is hitting the ground is if I'm hitting it as well.
If I'm walking over flat ground, I carry two tripod legs splayed over the front of each shoulder, and the third leg down my back. Usually I have the lens strap around my neck. It' not particularly comfortable, but not bad for short distances. Otherwise I'll carry the lens dismounted from the camera body and strapped around my neck.There are too many ways to lose a 500 if you're not careful.
Discussion
6 repliesAnother point is to pad the upper leg sections of your tripod, which greatly increases comfort.
And back to the lens carry strap, if I'm moving further than a few yards, I dismount the lens and camera from the tripod and sling it over my shoulder via the strap, just as I do with the camera strap when using shorter lenses. It's really convenient and easy. Then the tripod makes a handy walking staff, too.
Caution - be sure to keep the tripod legs well off the ground and pointed out when walking. Once when climbing up a short ledge, I "pogo'ed" the tripod legs into the step above as I bent my knee and pushed up (the ledge was about 2 feet high). Well those legs hit the ledge and kicked me over, and I couldn't stop from falling onto my side. I got away with just a couple dings on the 600mm hood and some bruises on my left side where I fell....luckily, I was able to keep from rolling, I landed half my body hanging over a 8 foot drop to the ocean/rocks below. Could have been much, much worse than just equipment damage.
Watch those legs!
Enjoy, and best of luck with your new gear!
P.S.
Don't forget that there's a $40 rebate on Gitzo tripods 'til Aug. 31!