Upcoming Football Season

[preston_harper]

I am getting ready for the upcoming football season and need some suggestions. I will be putting my camera on

a monopod and need a head that will easily and quickly allow me to move from horizontal to vertical. Can

someone suggest a somewhat inexpensive head and possible a monopod as well (I already have a monopod ut

could probably use an upgade).

 

Cheers

[wilsontsoi]

Being football, if you need a monopod, it probably means that you'll be using a telephoto lens. If that's the case, then I suggest mounting the monopod right on to the lens' built-in tripod collar. Keep the tripod collar untightened and you can quickly twist back and forth between horizontal and vertical format.

 

On the other hand, if your telephoto lens doesn't have a tripod collar, then it most likely means the lens is small and light enough for hand holding and therefore I would suggest skipping the monopod altogether.

[neil_everitt]

As Wilson says, any lens that might benefit from using a monopod is designed and supplied with a collar. I would go as far

as to say that in my opinion only a 400 2.8 and above really requires the use of a monopod. Unless you are trying to

create certain special effects, you will be using a shuttter speed fast enough to stop action, which by definition will be fast

enough to stop any camera shake from hand holding.

[barryh]

Not being anywhere as strong as Neil, I have never shot football--or any other sport--with my 300 2.8 without a monopod. Many high school

games are played at night under poor lighting conditions where a high ISO is necessary to get a shutter speed fast enough to freeze action.

[drubene]

Hi Preston ... I have a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. I shoot a lot of football ... mainly high school games. I use a Bogen-Manfrotto 681B Monopod with a quick release Bogen/Manfrotto 234RC head. I have to say it is extremely sturdy and very convenient.

[elmroc]

I agree with Barry and Wilson. But it really depends on the lens you plan to mount on said monopod.

 

I wouldn't put my 80-200 f2.8 on the monopod wth collar, but certainly do mount my 300/2.8 on it. There is no wqay i could handhold for any amount of time a 300/2.8 and get any good results while shooting sports. I would mount the foot/rotating collar right to the monpod without any head on it and just swivel the lens.

[kenbooth]

I usually hand hold my 70-200, no problem, but if I add my 1.4 extender, it tends to get too heavy for any long shoots and opt for a

monopod.

[neil_everitt]

I should qualify my answer. If I was shooting a sport which required me to shoot from a standing position (although, off

hand, I can't think of any) then I would use a pod with a 300 2.8 (but certainly not with a 70-200) as it would get tiring very

quickly. Shooting football (soccer) from a seated position, as you do, the left hand supporting the lens, your left elbow

naturally rests on your left thigh. This provides far better support than a monopod, allows greater manoeuvrability and, with

practice and anticipation, it is just as quick to jump between horizontal and vertical formats.

 

If using two bodies with the 300 and a short for goalmouth action, then I would mount the 300 on a pod, mainly because

you can then quickly drop the 300 against your shoulder when switching to the camera with the shorter lens.

[mpressionz]

All of the previous answers have merit. An "upgrade" depends on how much money you want to spend for the type

of camera/equipment you have. Don't skimp if you can afford not to. Make sure your camera/lens is not too heavy

for the mono/unipod. Depending on which part of the country you are in, I'd go to a speciality (or "super") photo

supply store or better, if you have the time, order online from a choice of many different vendors. The bottom line

though is quality versus $$$. I'll be looking to see some of your shots. . .I know it'll be fun getting them.