Wildlife Photography Tips: How to Choose the Best CAMERA SUPPORT

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This video was filmed with a Canon M50 and 15-45mm lens.
Equipment: Canon 1DX Mark i

Music:

Staycation by Corbyn Kite
The Gentleman by DivKid

[marieta.s]

As many have pointed out about the tilt monopod heads, I would like to add another option too. The wimberley mono gimbal head MH100. If you watch steve perry’s video you will see that it is very practical for its size and acts as a mini gimbal head for a monopod. So far I haven’t managed to get a tilt head for my monopod and use my tripod’s ball head which is not the best option. I got the Tamron 160-600mm but I cannot handhold it successfully for a long time. The monopod is a good idea for me when walking around. It doesn’t take too much space and it’s easy to carry. Other times my husband’s shoulder will do the trick as well. 😀

[silentrabbit]

For B.I.F. panning I like to use a tripod with legs adjusted short with 2 legs put into my waist / top of hips, and the leg facing away at it's minimum length and at comfortably angle. Smooth panning and vertical stability can be achieved. Found the Lensmaster gimbal to be pretty good for panning too.
In process of adapting a wooden crossbow (rifle) mount to try with a tele lens. ( heavy set up, but might be very steady and accurate in following subjects using trigger. Plus will need care not to cause alarm to people ! ) Also made ground pod from frying pan.

[gzoladz]

Flexibility and versatility is key. I hand hold and some times carry a small light bean bag and/or a walking pole. Both combined provide good, light and quick to deploy stability.

[rolandsahli]

Hi Paul! First thank you for providing us with very useful and well-made videos that are a pleasure to view.
I am using a tilt head on my monopod. I prefer this to a ball head so that leveling is constrained in only one axis (up-down at up to large angles) without having the risk of the lens-camera going sideways . Some tilt-heads have also a panning option, although this may be less useful on a monopod which can rotate by its own. The panning option is nice on a tripod though for landscape photography.

[JanvanHengel]

I use allways my monopod without the camera mounting on the monopod. My left hand is supporting, on the top of the monopod, the telelens with camera. So, no ballhead or something else between camera en monopod.

[mikebrownhill]

When my son was younger, he was perfect for camera support. I used to ask him to stand still while I put the lens on his shoulder (it was fine with a 100-400 but I never inflicted the 600mm f4 on him). He's only 12 now, but he's 5ft 11ins (half an inch more than me) - so I've pretty much lost my emergency support option for lower level shooting. It's back to lugging a tripod around on family trips, unfortunately...

[dust]

Monopods are go to for big lens and on move and beanbags for car and for low level and frypod for low level on beach and yes have a tripod Hardly ever use

[soniadavies]

If there are no tree branches low enough to use, u can use the strap off a camera bag to make a loop over a higher branch and use the bottom of the loop as a sling - it's not ideal but it'll take some of the weight and give some respite from awkward crouches without completely losing position.

[philipwatson]

I use a Leofoto LS324 tripod, it's nice and light and i carry it around with an old bag strap with clip hooks attached clipped to a hook attached to the tripod accessory point, if that makes sense

[daztography]

Great video, i have the 400f5.6, if i get a camera srap like a black rapid type, should i attach it to the tripod collar or the body? Im sure its the collar to even the weight.

[Karkawry]

Another question, or thought might be does the 'keeper' rate go up the more support you have? Tripod being one, then monopod, then hand held? Food for thought..

[paulbaldwin]

Great info as usual Paul 👍I use all you mentioned especially tripod ! Never much success with monopod and never tried knee, but I'm only single jointed🤣 keep tips coming 👍

[Ericbjohnston]

I use the same head I think. Is that a 502 head?

[ColinMill]

My favourite support for wildlife photography around the farm is a 1963 Massey Ferguson 35x tractor. The first advantage is that wildlife just doesn't seem to see a human being on or close to a tractor as a threat. Standing on the tyres and leaning against the roll-bar gives great stability as does standing in front of the rear tyres and leaning over the top of the tyre (depending on what livestock you have the substances transferred from the tyres to your coat can make you less noticeable to the wildlife if also less appealing to your partner). The weight isn't a problem unless the ground is especially soft. And of course the answer to the age old question "where are you going to put that" is "anywhere I like" 🙂

[photobugz]

Hey there Paul, I use a gimbal on a mono pod with my Canon 90d and EF f2.8 70-200 LII with EF 2x Tele extender LII for stalking birds. My current fixation is on pileated woodpeckers and I am loving my set-up. It's all about personal preferences and I find it nicely portable and easy to use. Bye for now, JAZZZ.

[Karkawry]

I have a tripod and a monopod, I hear a lot of good things about the Wimberley MonoGimbal Head, so will get one for my monopod. Looks like a really good solution to the static monopod, and save having to lift the whole thing up or adjust the height all the time!

[waynedettman]

Great info Paul i use quick release plate with tilt head when using a monopod

[Fell_Wanderer]

I hate tripods and seldom use one for wildlife filming other than for my vlogging rig. I like to be fast and light on the go, always looking for photographic opportunities and tripods annoy me, they get in the way of spur of the moment situations. My G9 has decent stabilization, almost tripod like with methods like you mention.

[planestrainswildlife]

I have had varying success when walking with my camera on a shoulder strap. I actually use the strap adjusted to a shortish length so that when I bring the camera up to shoot I use my elbows/arms to push into the strap to lock my frame, pushing ever so lightly creating a more rigid shooting position.

I believe its a similar technique that rifle shooters used to use. 👍

I have used most supports you have covered, but not the frying pan pod mind 🙄🤔 I might have to see if I can find an old donner pan to make one, Boom boom 😂🤣