Heading to the mountains for 5 days of practice with the 180-400: your best piece of advice.

[ssheipel]

While I've shot with my new Nikon 180-400 (even posted a couple of results here) I am clearly at the bottom of the fat lens learning curve. Luckily for me heading into the mountains (Jasper and Banff National Parks) tomorrow means a few short hours drive -- am staying in Jasper -- so no 'trip pressure' and yes I would love to get some keepers (of course!) but I am making the trip to practice wildlife photography, the serious pursuit of which is only months old for me, really. Bluntly I have not produced a shot with sharpness that astounds me with the lens (as is common with the 300 pf, even with the 1.4 on it). That buck definitely stops with the operator

Targets will be large -- elk, moose, mountain goats, big horn sheep (maybe a black or brown bear if I can hit the back button and shutter release while also holding at ready my can of bear spray ). Do note the confidence that all wildlife will go into hiding the moment I cross park boundaries LOL

So I've read and reread Steve's various advice articles and tips and books -- and what has really stuck is, of course, practice, practice, practice -- but love to hear your one best bit advice for getting the shot, sharp! You know, free advice

 

[JANuser]

If your visit to Banff and Jasper is anything like the two times (fall and spring) I've been there you won't have too much trouble finding wildlife. I had to stop on the road a few times waiting for the big horn sheep to get off the road.

The important thing to remember with large glass is to keep your shutter speed up for critical sharpness. I also had a lot more luck with my first gen AF-S 300mm F4D IF-ED than the 200-400mm F4G VR when I first made the switch, it just takes some time. The big glass is tough to shoot hand held for instant encounters, but you can usually get off a burst before needing a tripod.

 

[Whiskeyman]

I understand what your goal is, but do take the opportunity to just enjoy the experience. I've been on photo jaunts where I was so focused on photography that I just didn't take in the whole experience and missed what should have been a wonderful experience.

Take a tripod and make sure of your camera settings, especially ISO settings, AF tuning, and exposure and focus modes and settings.

Have a good trip. Next time, I'd recommend another person to help you look out for wildlife, such as bears. I'll bet you'd get a lot of volunteers from this forum willing to help you out.

W

 

[ssheipel]

If your visit to Banff and Jasper is anything like the two times (fall and spring) I've been there you won't have too much trouble finding wildlife. I had to stop on the road a few times waiting for the big horn sheep to get off the road.

The important thing to remember with large glass is to keep your shutter speed up for critical sharpness. I also had a lot more luck with my first gen AF-S 300mm F4D IF-ED than the 200-400mm F4G VR when I first made the switch, it just takes some time. The big glass is tough to shoot hand held for instant encounters, but you can usually get off a burst before needing a tripod.

Thanks for the adivce, and yah to the amount of wildlife in those parks! But you know, my luck... -- there are avid fishermen who refuse to have me on their boats, for example. LOL

 

[ssheipel]

I understand what your goal is, but do take the opportunity to just enjoy the experience. I've been on photo jaunts where I was so focused on photography that I just didn't take in the whole experience and missed what should have been a wonderful experience.

Take a tripod and make sure of your camera settings, especially ISO settings, AF tuning, and exposure and focus modes and settings.

Have a good trip. Next time, I'd recommend another person to help you look out for wildlife, such as bears. I'll bet you'd get a lot of volunteers from this forum willing to help you out.

W

Thanks. Yup, tripod and gimbal taking the trip with me. I'm a regular in the environment (including too many bears at too close proximity, but have never 'surprised' one so all good!) just not with camera in hand (or over my shoulder on a tripod.) And I hear yah! Solo trips are not my preference and for reasons of safety, ultimately.

 

[Deleted member 115]

I have no advice to give other than have fun. Wish I was going there! Some of the greatest photos I have ever seen are from there.
Big Rams with breathtaking backgrounds are always a huge plus.

 

[Warren D]

If you'll be hand holding, be sure to bring Advil, aspirin or the pain reliever of your choice!

 

[DRwyoming]

Bluntly I have not produced a shot with sharpness that astounds me with the lens (as is common with the 300 pf, even with the 1.4 on it). That buck definitely stops with the operator

Work on your long lens technique. I'm pretty sure Steve has a video on this, but in a nutshell lay your left hand on top of the lens with a very gentle downward pressure before releasing the shutter. The idea is to absorb the vibrations coming from the mirror flapping up and shutter operation. This of course is done with the gimbal head settings left loose and not locked down. It can make a big difference as shutter speed drops. The other thing of course is to practice rolling your shutter finger over the release rather than jabbing at the release.

Keep practicing and shoot in short bursts on Continuous High and you should get some sharp keepers.

I'd also second the recommendation above to keep your shutter speed high when you can. That won't always be possible as light levels fall but if you're struggling to get sharp images with a larger lens then shutter speed will help and is probably worth a bit of extra noise reduction in post(i.e. higher ISO) until you feel confident you can tame the bigger lens.

 

[ssheipel]

If you'll be hand holding, be sure to bring Advil, aspirin or the pain reliever of your choice!

Yah, I learned quick it's either forget handholding or get my arms and back to the gym! Advil still good advice tho as I hiked 6k with the lens on the D6 on the gimbal on the tripod over my shoulder, last time I had it out. I need a sherpa

 

[ssheipel]

Work on your long lens technique. I'm pretty sure Steve has a video on this, but in a nutshell lay your left hand on top of the lens with a very gentle downward pressure before releasing the shutter. The idea is to absorb the vibrations coming from the mirror flapping up and shutter operation. This of course is done with the gimbal head settings left loose and not locked down. It can make a big difference as shutter speed drops. The other thing of course is to practice rolling your shutter finger over the release rather than jabbing at the release.

Keep practicing and shoot in short bursts on Continuous High and you should get some sharp keepers.

I'd also second the recommendation above to keep your shutter speed high when you can. That won't always be possible as light levels fall but if you're struggling to get sharp images with a larger lens then shutter speed will help and is probably worth a bit of extra noise reduction in post(i.e. higher ISO) until you feel confident you can tame the bigger lens.

Thanks, good stuff! And yes, I'm a devout disciple of Steve's technique videos, now

 

[gordon_g]

That's easy (HAVE FUN ).
To help settle in with your new lens... Up your shutter speed, Don't shoot wide open.... Use a tripod or something to brace yourself

 

[Karm Redland]

Try to get close to whatever you are shooting. Fill your sensor with your subject. Pass on lousy shots. Take fewer swings but of higher quality. And as someone else said, enjoy yourself.

karm

 

[ssheipel]

That's easy (HAVE FUN ).
To help settle in with your new lens... Up your shutter speed, Don't shoot wide open.... Use a tripod or something to brace yourself

Thanks!

 

[ssheipel]

Try to get close to whatever you are shooting. Fill your sensor with your subject. Pass on lousy shots. Take fewer swings but of higher quality. And as someone else said, enjoy yourself.

karm

Thanks. It's rutting season so getting close is going to provide all the entertainment! LOL

 

[JFW]

Use a tripod, experiment with camera settings, realize how lucky you are!

We expect a full report when you get back with photos..........

 

[Flyboy]

Eat well, sleep lots, and PRACTICE!

 

[Woody Meristem]

I made a monopod from my alpenstock (which began life as a black birch sapling so the grain runs straight through -- it's strong enough that I've used it to vault over narrow streams). Fitted it with a modified Manfroto tilt head and a quick release. It's easier to carry than a tripod, sturdier, has multiple uses and, for most situations, steadies the camera down to 1/40 second. The photo in this post was shot from that monopod at 1/40, ISO 400, 500mm lens equivalent: https://bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/pennsylvania-elk.2822/

 

[Calson]

Yah, I learned quick it's either forget handholding or get my arms and back to the gym! Advil still good advice tho as I hiked 6k with the lens on the D6 on the gimbal on the tripod over my shoulder, last time I had it out. I need a sherpa

I have found that using the Kirk SS-1 Security Strap ($80 at B&H) to transport my 600mm f/4 with the camera and lens weight supported by the Kirk strap and then carrying the tripod with its head in my other hand is lot easier on the body. Takes me seconds to untighten the strap's Arca-Swiss clamp and then place the lens on the gimbal head. If I am moving the camera, lens, and tripod a matter of feet then I don't bother with the strap but if going 50 yards or more then the strap works wonders.

 

[ssheipel]

I’m a ‘hiker’ (look at my avatar) and I wouldn’t recommend to take a tripod with you, it’s heavy and restrictive.
The 180-400 is easily handholdable, (even my youngest 52kg daughter shoots her 200-400 handheld)
Use a rigid monopod and be the tripod yourself.
Shoot it wide open (with or wo TC engaged) it should deliver.
VR Sport on and shutterspeeds at at least the (old reciprocal) value, faster if needed off course depending on the (lack of) speed of the subject.

Thanks. No real hiking for me this trip, couple km at most one way, on an off. The sport VR advice is spot on. So much so I'm thinking there's something wrong with the nomral VR and the D6!

 

[ssheipel]

Eat well, sleep lots, and PRACTICE!

I just finished a bag of Miss Vickies Jalapeno chips, on your orders!

 

[MorganP]

Take a good tripod.

 

[ssheipel]

Take a good tripod.

Thanks! Gitzo Systematic S4

 

[Woodpecker]

Thinking about what crossed my mind when digesting @Steve 's report about tripod vs. monopod vs. hand-holding this might be a good chance to work a bit on getting "the master data" for the diagram he showed us in the report and get a better idea in terms of agility and mobility you really require. Of course getting in this kind of location the priority is the wildlife shooting. But if I had the opportunity to do this kind of thing with having fixpoint at Jasper and being able to leave some of my gear behind, I probably would do something like changing from tripod to monopod and back on a daily basis to really get a feeling about what's the best way for me. It was not mainly photography-related, but looking back the best decisions I have taken were those after side by side testing in the same - or at least as similar as possible - situation, with the same goals in mind and with minimum time in between.

That said, I'd really like to join in .

 

[Callie]

Steven Do not waste your time to go test it. ~ Just send it over the pond to me and I will get rid of all evidence . Enjoy, it is a brilliant piece of glass!

 

[ssheipel]

Nothing wrong I thought the same.

Nikon states:

“while normal VR slows the frame rate, VR Sport enables high speed continuous shooting”

Thinking about what crossed my mind when digesting @Steve 's report about tripod vs. monopod vs. hand-holding this might be a good chance to work a bit on getting "the master data" for the diagram he showed us in the report and get a better idea in terms of agility and mobility you really require. Of course getting in this kind of location the priority is the wildlife shooting. But if I had the opportunity to do this kind of thing with having fixpoint at Jasper and being able to leave some of my gear behind, I probably would do something like changing from tripod to monopod and back on a daily basis to really get a feeling about what's the best way for me. It was not mainly photography-related, but looking back the best decisions I have taken were those after side by side testing in the same - or at least as similar as possible - situation, with the same goals in mind and with minimum time in between.

That said, I'd really like to join in .

Thanks. One thing is sure, it was a handheld shot yesterday that had me say to my monitor, "Wow, finally a sharp shot!" like I did the first time I shot the 300 pf, for instance. I'll be doing hopefully some tripod work if I find a herd of Elk or goats today (the sheep were really on the move so tripod was out of the question) and do some of the 'testing' you talk about. Don't have a monopod. I continue to suspect it was my tripod use causing much of my initial disappointment with the lens, I think. I am horribly disinterested in technical 'playing' (I only work for engineers; definitely ain't one LOL). But am going to play with your suggestion at least handheld vs tripod. and tripod VR type vs tripod no VR, just to see what's what for my own brain.