maxxus46
Well-known member
Excellent photos!Portability of the Z8+600PF setup rocks.
Nikon 600PF - Share Photos & Discuss!!!
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maxxus46
Well-known member
Consider the cotton carrier vest, that is how I hike trails with my Z8/600PF. It's liberating being hands free and knowing the gear is safe and secured to the chest rig with a tether. The combo is light weight to begin with , but once on the carrier it truly feels weightless. It's a great system.. I'll never go back to straps (and I've tried most of them). Take care
lukemeup
Well-known member
Thank you!
bcgnz
Active member
Does the bundle option with ball head etc work for big prime lens?I wear a Steadify telescoping monopod which uses an integral waist belt, which bears most of the weight via a yoke supporting the lens barrel. It's a significant advantage to handhold a heavy lens - 400 f2.8E rig IME
This works well to support even a relatively light rig, particularly if one is handholding for extended periods.
Long lens hand holding support
I have tried many approaches over the years but alway find that a monopod with the right kind of head works out the best. I can wrap a leg around the monopod and have much more support for a heavy lens. I use a special head that only tilts in one direction, like the Benro DJ90. With the 600mm...bcgforums.com
Or shall I get just the monopod and then add other accessories? What head or strap would you suggest? Thanks!
fcotterill
Well-known member
I only use the standard yoke (= Universal Fork on the webpage) on the top end of the monopod to support a big lens. It works well, after slight modification.
This linked photo shows how I changed the yoke fastener - it needs a pair of tensioned Teflon washers under a thinner nut (I couldn't find a stainless capscrew with a round head, but this modification works fine with adjustable friction; so I can swivel the yoke under load but it's not too loose.
The capscrew is the correct length to tighten to the bottom of the blind hole, leaving sufficient headspace for the adjustable nut to set the tension on the yoke - if this makes sense
I've no need for the ball head as I prefer to have the camera on terra firma for landscapes etc using with a wider lens. The thread in the top of the monopod is 1/4" UNC so you should be able to attach any ball head.
Supporting heavy lens
Hand-Holding heavy lens has become beyond me for more than a few minutes, so I cobbled together a method to take the weight for most of the time. It would be better to be over both shoulders to even the load out, but this is how far I have got so far. Rather than try and explain it, I have added...
bcgforums.com
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Yes it's hard to beat in size/weight/features for a full frame kit. Nice shot of the Stellar's jay.Portability of the Z8+600PF setup rocks.
Cool!
The animal in the last pic is a new one for me. What is it?
It's a coati or also called a coatimundi. They generally live in Central and South America, but they are also in parts of the southwest US including Arizona. They're fun to watch since they travel in groups.
I've had a pair of nesting Great Horned Owls about 40 yards from our porch. Lots of portrait shots. Flight shots are challenging with low light. Here is one for your review.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Cool. Thanks!
JohnC88
Active member
Went to the local park yesterday (Yorba Regional) on the hunt for owls I heard were there. Sure enough I found two. Mom was perched in one tree keeping an eye on junior in another. None of images of junior were to my liking but I added one for continuity's sake. No issues with the lens, he just never positioned himself well for a good composition.
All shot with the Z8 at 6.3 and ISO 400.
This one was shot at 1/400
This one was shot at 1/800
And junior was shot at 1/1000
All shot with the Z8 at 6.3 and ISO 400.
This one was shot at 1/400
This one was shot at 1/800
And junior was shot at 1/1000
maxxus46
Well-known member
Nice find! Owls are such elusive birds. Photos look great
Cool!Went to the local park yesterday (Yorba Regional) on the hunt for owls I heard were there. Sure enough I found two. Mom was perched in one tree keeping an eye on junior in another. None of images of junior were to my liking but I added one for continuity's sake. No issues with the lens, he just never positioned himself well for a good composition.
All shot with the Z8 at 6.3 and ISO 400.
This one was shot at 1/400
This one was shot at 1/800
And junior was shot at 1/1000
The hood on my 600PF is becoming difficult to remove and to lock in place. Is anyone else experiencing this?
JohnC88
Active member
Yes. It seems to require an excess amount of fidgeting especially going on. I’ve even had it go on cockeyed and I thought it was on correctly until I had trouble getting it off. But I figured it was just me.
maxxus46
Well-known member
You can always upgrade to a Zemlin hood
. Karl has many options: https://www.zemlinphoto.com/shop/ni...imit=30&sort_by=category_order&sort_order=asc
Yes, now that I am having issues I believe it is time to switch to Zemlin.You can always upgrade to a Zemlin hood
JohnC88
Active member
So you’re telling me it isn’t just me? That might be a first.You can always upgrade to a Zemlin hood
Hood issues - resolved - use the smaller diameter side for handling the hood initially to find the grooved slot and then turn it a small amount. After it's in the track you can grab the larger side BUT only in one place not two and easily twist it.
It's the flex from grabbing the large side that usually causes issues.
It's the flex from grabbing the large side that usually causes issues.
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Maljo
Well-known member
Hooded Warbler, Z9 + Z 600 PF at f6.3:
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
No problem with mine. I'm quite happy with it.
viper699
Well-known member
How do you like the Steadify? Thinking if I purchased it I’d pair it with my z8 and 186.I wear a Steadify telescoping monopod which uses an integral waist belt; this bears most of the weight via a yoke supporting the lens barrel. It's a significant advantage to handhold a heavy lens - 400 f2.8E rig IME
This works well to support even a relatively light rig, particularly if one is handholding for extended periods.
Long lens hand holding support
I have tried many approaches over the years but alway find that a monopod with the right kind of head works out the best. I can wrap a leg around the monopod and have much more support for a heavy lens. I use a special head that only tilts in one direction, like the Benro DJ90. With the 600mm...
There’s another similar product out there it seems
Speed-shooter Harness System | Whistling Wings Photography
Home of the Speed-shooter Harness System. Whistling Wings Photography, Join tours, get expert bird photography instruction.
www.speed-shooter.com
fcotterill
Well-known member
It works for my needs, including a fairly heavy telephoto while hiking. However, I modified the yoke swivel as described in the linked post, above.How do you like the Steadify? Thinking if I purchased it I’d pair it with my z8 and 186.
There’s another similar product out there it seems
Speed-shooter Harness System | Whistling Wings Photography
Home of the Speed-shooter Harness System. Whistling Wings Photography, Join tours, get expert bird photography instruction.
Usually I handhold my 800 PF as most encounters with subjects are short. Longer stake outs with such a rig are best supported with an orthodox monopod design or better tripod for heavier telephotos over 3kg.
Basically, a Steadify type monopod is very useful in the appropriate situations.