BirdForum Reviews - Shoulder-table-pod #080

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CULLMANN Shoulder-table-pod #080

Reviews	Views	Date of last review
3	12812	Tue March 9, 2010

Recommended By	Average Price	Average Rating
100% of reviewers	None indicated	8.3

supersize

Description:

After 2 months in Africa bouncing around in the back of an open 4X4 I decided an alternative to a monopod was needed. Most of the images taken required grab shots of wildlife in a 360 degree around and above the vehicle. Many of the best shots I got were with less than ten seconds set up time. Or shooting in difficult situations like bush and jungle when there is no time or room for monopods. Camera needed constant manipulation of exposure and in and out of auto focus. After searching the internet for a shoulder mount I found the CULLMANN-shoulder-table-pod #080. The alternatives take your hands of the the camera, some too heavy, or unwieldy. The Cullman is not ideal but its light and works well. Enables slower shutter speeds – steady shooting.
Solid construction and well made unit. Relatively light and allows a much steadier hold. Hands on the camera for fast adjustments. Comes quickly to sighting position and although a tripod or monopod might get crisper shots once they're ready, for grab shots they're not in the race. Would definitely take it on my next African Safari. Great for grabbing shots from a safari 4X4.
I've now had time to test it out. I never take it of the 100 - 400.

Keywords:

CULLMANN, shoulder, table-pod, #080

Author

pete seaman

Registered User

Registered: March 2007
Location: RIPON,N.YORKS
Posts: 224

Review Date: Sat September 12, 2009

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 8

Pros:	Handy,lightweight and durable
Cons:

I have used this item for about 15 years and it is currently used with a MM2 mini scope.Used as a shoulder pod it is useful for quick scans of a bird but a lot depends on your ability to "keep it up",on a hide shelf I find it more convenient than a tripod and much easier to carry.

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Ashetos
Registered User

Registered: September 2009
Location: Akrotiri
Posts: 39

Review Date: Sat October 3, 2009

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9

Pros:	Light, strong, becomes very small when closed
Cons:	The shoulder part moves with use and needs readjustement quite often

I use it in combination with a remote release cord, and provides good stability for handheld shots, especially birds in flight (EOS 40D and EF 400mm f5.6).

Nigelbee

15ips at f64

Registered: August 2009
Location: London, UK
Posts: 44

Review Date: Tue March 9, 2010

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 8

Pros:	more convenient and smaller than a monopod or tripod. Doubles as a mini-tripod.
Cons:	Quizical looks from the uninitiated.

I'd forgotten I had one until I stumbled upon these reviews. I used to use it with a small spotting scope and then put it in a drawer until a few days ago when I started testing it with a Canon 40D and 100-400mm zoom. The image stabilisation of the lens combined with a pretty stable 'tight into the shoulder' shooting platform seems to work well. Panning and following birds in flights seems to be 'intuitive' too - a nice fluid movement.

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Ealing. Where the fun never sets.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nigelbewley/sets/

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