DFA 150-450 - which support to use

Just received my 150-450 from SRS and whilst it is feasible to shoot hand held I wouldn't particularly want to do it over a lengthy period.

There seems to be a few people on here who have one so the question is what sort of support are you using ? (if any)

I generally use a black rapid shoulder sling for carrying my camera but not sure I'd feel comfortable with this beast hanging off the single attachment, so anyone else use any other form of attachments for this system ? Or should I just screw it straight to the monopod when needed but what attachment, if any to use.

This looks quite good but is heavy link

Any thoughts appreciated.

Regards

George

For my Bigmos I use a strap fixed to the tripod foot of the lens, but usually carry the lens itself rather than letting the strap take the weight.
The best attachment to a monopod will depend on your subjects.
Direct connection should be OK for cars but will be useless for BIF. Sideways movement is easily achieved by rotating the monopod.
I've seen some small units (just under the lens or body) that effectively act as a hinge allowing vertical movement, and I'd expect these to work OK if you need much vertical movement. They might be more difficult to get balanced than the gimbal type you linked to.
see:
Manfrotto tilt head or
Chinese version with QR

Personally I don't like a ball or 3 way heads on a monopod, though I've heard of some people liking these options.

I have the 150-450 and use the black rapid shoulder strap screwed in to the tripod foot on the lens and find that it works fine and balances well.
I tried the manfrotto 234 head on a monopod but found that it was not man enough to take the weight of the lens.
Peter

I use a Calumet gimbal link in hides etc. I'm also hoping to use the lens at some motor racing events, so I'm going to try one of these Amazon bought heads link on my Monopod.

Carrying around, I normally cradle or hold via the mount with a sling strap attached to the camera for safety.

I don't have anything remotely as big or heavy as the 150-450, but for what it's worth I use the small Red Snapper ball head on my monopod. It gives me complete freedom of movement when I want it, or I just lock it tight when I don't. Their latest small ball head will apparently support 5Kg, which should be plenty for the lens even with a K-1 attached, for less than £30.

Phil

The lensmaster gimbals seem to be pretty good. I don't have one myself but have tried one and it seemed pretty good. I've seen some favourable reports about them and will probably get one myself one day.
They have a monopod version.
http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/index.htm

The support depends on what you are photographing; if staying in one place and photographing wildfowl, say, a tripod with a gimbal head is the no compromise option. In that situation, rather than the bulk and weight of a gimbal I use a fluid damped panning head (still weighs 1kg though); both of these can be used for a spotting scope as well. It is really important to get a steady tripod and robust head as the front of the lens has the annoying habit of dropping slightly when the head is tightened.

However as I tend to walk about more and not built like Arnold Swartznegger I have opted for a carbon fibre Gitzo Traveler monopod with a simple ball head. This combination is very lightweight and from first trial yesterday I'm really pleased; as well as being more portable and less bulky it is also much quicker to set up and doesn't get in the way for hand-held impromptu shots.

I tend to hand hold mine, but if need be use it on a monopod with Benro ball and socket head fitted with quick release plate. I carry it around by the its tripod mount (I'm presuming it is strong enough and I haven't had any problems yet ... did check the screws after another members notification, but mine were all tight and OK). If its on the monopod it gets slung over my shoulder.

George ... have sent you a PM as well

Martin

Another lensmaster user rh2 cracking item

I use this with my 560mm http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006JZ7RR4

Every bit as good as my Gitzo tripod

If I'm moving around with the 150-450 I use a Manfrotto monopod with a Beike heavy duty ball head;
if I'm going to move between one or two locations that are not too far apart I'll usually use a Manfrotto 190 XPROB tripod with a Beike gimbal;
If I'm in a fixed location for a lot of hours for something like night sky shots and it's not to far to hike (side of road I have a 5+kg behemoth Manfrotto 074 tripod with a an equally weighty Manfrotto 3047 3way head.

This thread is also timely as I was looking for a screw in attachment with open lugs for Optech loops as all my straps are Optech, specifically I was looking for a long Arca Swiss plate but I can't find what I'm looking for, I did come across the C-Loop but its a bit pricy and I can't find any user reviews.

Would this from Ebay work for you? link

Ditto, tried them all this set up works and I use a Pentax leather strap connected to a small screwed link, connected to a a clone of the Black rapid eyed screw , screwed into the lens foot .

For support a Manfrotto lightweight monopod with manfrotto tilting mount £18 on ebay just great, very secure and great for birding.

I can yomp all day (and do most days) with the rig slung acros my chest, not on one shoulder, with the monopod screwed into the second hole in the lensfoot.

When walking; set up like this, the retracted mononpod is upside down with the camera and lens below it, seems to stop the camera/ lens swinging around and the small manfrotto, which will extend to head height, being in five sections, actually adopts the role of a " handle when not used as a support.

The Manfrotto monopod was £22 in pcworld when I bought it.

So, two unweildy black rapid straps ( I should say trusses) consigned to the drawer and my carbon fibre tripod also having a relaxing time to.

Black rapids: bad experience slipped down my body one day whilst circumnavigating a pile of rubble in an old grave yard and crunched a K 3 silver on a gravestone, trust me it is easier done than people think.

Using the Pentax strap screwed connector link and eyed screw into the tripod foot, makes this impossible" and it doesn't feel like a " contraption" or "parchute harness"

It is so comfortable and very user friendly I have not found anything better

Hope this helps

Regards

Hi Barry.

That style may work but would likely make the strap loops a bit awkward, It would also need to be longer to fit my gimbal (I think).

Wow, thanks for all the replies. From these it seems that there is no one solution fits all to this.

I've ordered a lensmaster monopod gimbal thingy and will see how I get on with that once it arrives. I do have a manfrotto 234 tilt head but it just makes me very nervous that its sturdy enough to take the weight of the lens (probably just me).

Daron - if possible I'd be interested to see a picture of you with it in the carrying position as I'm struggling to visualise it across your chest.

Regards

George