I am planning a trip to Maine to photograph Moose from canoes.
I will be using long telephoto lens. I would like to take my
tripod and set it up in the canoe. Is this a practical
solution. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Bernie
Posted by Kent Staubus on July 7, 2010 at 11:03 AM
Several thoughts. First is to use a VR lens and very fast shutter speeds. Actually, I guess VR doesn't do anything for you if shutter speed is over 1/500. Keep shutter speeds over 1/1000 and you should be OK. Using a tripod from a boat usually doesn't work so well since the boat is drifting. What I sometimes do is solidly stick the boat on a sandbar or mudbank to steady it. Otherwise, I've found a tripod in a floating boat to be an exercise in frustration & futility.
Can't say I'm a big fan of tripods in canoes. A slight shift in weight could send a top heavy tripod over the side if you are not on guard. In my experience with moose often it is a case of you chance upon it or it upon you not really allowing the time to set up a tripod. My best luck was hand held but you might want to consider a monopod for the weight of the lens.
Moose generally come into the marshes to feed in the cool of the early morning or late afternoon. Perhaps a local person can give you an idea as to the best place to find moose. If you are going late August - September remember it is rutting season and the bulls can be territorial and aggressive.
Just 3 suggestions;
1. Make sure you have good insurance, as long lenses in a kayak or canoe can be risky.
2. forget a tripod. Handholding and preferably a VR/IS lens is your best bet.
3. High-ish iso and shutter speed. I use the highest ISO that my camera does well with. You'll also be prepared for their spooking and running off.
Hand-holding, well-braced, is best because your arms dampen the motion of the canoe. A tripod or monopod will transmit every ripple to your camera.
How big are the canoes? If they are large freighter type boats they will be more stable than two-person canoes. If the latter, shoot from the bow, with the stern paddler bracing with his/her paddle to steady the boat.
I shoot a lot of waterfowl from a kayak, and would NOT ever consider shooting from a canoe. Stability is uncertain, and if it's at all breezy...it will tough to stabilize. Forget the tripod and go with a VR / IS lens as suggested. Best of luck!
I agree with the above comments. I shoot from a kayak in local lakes here in central Pa, mostly waterfowl and shorebirds. I experimented with a tripod and monopod and found them to be very unwieldy and largely ineffective. I invested in a VR lens (Nikon 80-400) and am very pleased with the results. Best of luck!
Discussion
7 repliesI will be using long telephoto lens. I would like to take my
tripod and set it up in the canoe. Is this a practical
solution. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Bernie
Kent in SD
Can't say I'm a big fan of tripods in canoes. A slight shift in weight could send a top heavy tripod over the side if you are not on guard. In my experience with moose often it is a case of you chance upon it or it upon you not really allowing the time to set up a tripod. My best luck was hand held but you might want to consider a monopod for the weight of the lens.
Moose generally come into the marshes to feed in the cool of the early morning or late afternoon. Perhaps a local person can give you an idea as to the best place to find moose. If you are going late August - September remember it is rutting season and the bulls can be territorial and aggressive.
1. Make sure you have good insurance, as long lenses in a kayak or canoe can be risky.
2. forget a tripod. Handholding and preferably a VR/IS lens is your best bet.
3. High-ish iso and shutter speed. I use the highest ISO that my camera does well with. You'll also be prepared for their spooking and running off.
good luck! have fun!
sandy r
How big are the canoes? If they are large freighter type boats they will be more stable than two-person canoes. If the latter, shoot from the bow, with the stern paddler bracing with his/her paddle to steady the boat.
I hope the moose cooperate. Have fun!
Kent in SD