I currently have 2 ways of doing my wildlife photograph. Main way is to haul out a tripod and shift it around to various parts of my local lake.
The second is to put the D500 camera strap on my neck and walk around the lake paths and hope I see something close enough to image.
When walking I have been leaving my tripod at home or in the car. (I tried a monopod but it is flimsy or I do not know the proper way to use it) and have the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5 on the camera and the Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 in its container with the strap slung on my right shoulder, I swap them out 1-2 times a walk. There are times I wish I had a wider FOV lens or a Macro type lens for insects and flowers but I do not yet have or know what lens to get for that.
Within an hour my neck is getting stiff and I start back to the car. I am seeking a better way to carry these items without a big bulky backpack that I have to stop take everything off swap lenses repack the rest and hope the subject is still there waiting patiently for my shot.
Another concern is the fact that I am planning to get a MUCH heavier Z9 in the future so if the D500 gets uncomfortable the z( might become unbearable…
Do those long wider straps that let the camera hang off your neck and shoulder for “more comfort” and swing around for shots really work and really more comfortable? What options do you all for walking photography 2-3 lenses and still be quick to shoot, swap lenses etc.. or am I wanting the impossible? I am pretty much now deciding if I want birds in flight take one lens and if I want small stationary song birds take another but only one lens with no chance to swap as the conditions present themselves.
The second is to put the D500 camera strap on my neck and walk around the lake paths and hope I see something close enough to image.
When walking I have been leaving my tripod at home or in the car. (I tried a monopod but it is flimsy or I do not know the proper way to use it) and have the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5 on the camera and the Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 in its container with the strap slung on my right shoulder, I swap them out 1-2 times a walk. There are times I wish I had a wider FOV lens or a Macro type lens for insects and flowers but I do not yet have or know what lens to get for that.
Within an hour my neck is getting stiff and I start back to the car. I am seeking a better way to carry these items without a big bulky backpack that I have to stop take everything off swap lenses repack the rest and hope the subject is still there waiting patiently for my shot.
Another concern is the fact that I am planning to get a MUCH heavier Z9 in the future so if the D500 gets uncomfortable the z( might become unbearable…
Do those long wider straps that let the camera hang off your neck and shoulder for “more comfort” and swing around for shots really work and really more comfortable? What options do you all for walking photography 2-3 lenses and still be quick to shoot, swap lenses etc.. or am I wanting the impossible? I am pretty much now deciding if I want birds in flight take one lens and if I want small stationary song birds take another but only one lens with no chance to swap as the conditions present themselves.