Long Lens Technique - 500F/4

[magpiemick]

Having read the main articles on long lens technique i was just wondering how others with the same setup have perfected this....

Are there any other tips you can give me as to hand placement on top on the lens exactly where above the center of tripod mount or center of tripod head etc.

Only been out with it three times so far and hand over ( distance scale/Canon badge ) has yielded the best results so far.....

Practice makes perfect yes....But i'm off to France for a week and would be gutted to come back with cards full of blurs..!!!!

I'm using Canon 30D - Canon 500 F/4 - Gitzo GT3540LS - Manfrotto 393
and both Canon 1.4xII & 2xII

Any experiences and tips much appreciated.

Thanks

Mick..

[mike from ebbw]

Hi Mick.Although I dont have the same lens as you I find that I get the best results by placing my left hand directly on top of the tripod mount when using my 500mm 7.2 on a monopod.On my tripod I dont touch the lens at all just the panning handle.

[magpiemick]

Thanks for your reply Mike...

So how critical is the hand placement and is position just as important !! ??

[Cashie]

I have this lens & the MN-393, and find it give best results for me by holding the left hand side of the gimbal nice & firm just in case of any sideways movement, and it works well, but I wish i'd bought a wimberley in the first place.

[magpiemick]

Thanks Paul,

I will give that a try and see how i get on.....

Must be Top Secret information as nobody is that willing to give some advise.

[Ragna]

Mike i use the same lens and tripod but with a King Cobra head.Sometimes i use the same technique as you eg left hand on top of the 500 above the centre of the tripod right handfires the shutter.But i suffer restricted movement in my shoulders and if i am having a bad day then i place my left hand on the arm of the King Cobra and press down cant say ive noticed any difference in sharpness.Sometimes i use a cable release in my left hand which is also pressing down on the lens the right just presses the camera into my eye as i think every little helps there is an artical on long lens technique iam sure someonewill post a link to it.