Righto! Thanks Patty. I only shoot Nikon Raw as well. I’ll check out “Fast Raw Viewer”. I currently use Photo Mechanic for culling. And good to know there are sound options.
Women Handholding Large Primes
- Thread starter AprilInA2
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Dagny
Member
I too am 68. I hand hold a Z9 with a Z 180-600 or a Z 800mm PF. I use a generic ($25) cross body strap with a wide neck/shoulder pad attached to the 1/4" screw in the tripod foot. I keep the foot in "briefcase" mode. I know a tripod can give better photos in some circumstances but I really dislike using them. Part of the experience for me is walking around and looking for birds or other wildlife. I had a D850 before the Z9. I find I like the larger camera body with a tele as it balances better.
I’m in agreement about “Part of the experience for me is walking around…” And besides we can spend less time at the gym doing bicep curls when we handhold!
Glad this caught on!!! Sometimes I thinks the guys forget we are configured differently and our muscle mass is lower, and while a the super teles may be best in class, they may not be suitable for many women and other options must be considered. This is also true for certain destinations, etc.
We should form a club!
Lots of helpful information for me from everyone!
April
We should form a club!
Lots of helpful information for me from everyone!
April
mathjak107
Active member
my wife is 74 . she carries her z6iii and 180-600mm like it’s nothing ..
thisis a woman who years ago thought the 80-400mm was to heavy .
now a light day is her nikon 70-200mmf2.8
thisis a woman who years ago thought the 80-400mm was to heavy .
now a light day is her nikon 70-200mmf2.8
Your galleries on your website are amazing! Beautiful photos.
lol. My light day is my Z8 with a 24-120 f4.
I'm just a year younger than your wife, and I dragged around an 80-400 everywhere (but that was more than 10 years ago, at least.) But seriously, there are days I think about lifting the weights in my family room.
I thought about a 180-600 but decided to get the 600PF for my Z9. I do use a 100-400 on my Z8 from time to time. Sometimes, I think us ladies are tougher than we, or anyone else thinks.
mathjak107
Active member
we have been gym rats for more than 20 years . we both lift weights and run 5 days a week ….i am 72 and she is 74lol. My light day is my Z8 with a 24-120 f4.
But seriously, there are days I think about lifting the weights in my family room.
I thought about a 180-600 but decided to get the 600PF for my Z9. I do use a 100-400 on my Z8 from time to time. Sometimes, I think us ladies are tougher than we, or anyone else thinks.
My gym rats days are behind me, sorry to say due to back issues. Spinal stenosis and slipped discs are not for the weak of heart. Wish I could do more than I can, but such is life and aging.
mathjak107
Active member
i know . getting older sucks
But some have mentioned perhaps we get wiser. I keep trying to tell my family that!
mathjak107
Active member
oh yeah , i am just filled with great maturity and deep emotional insight. ha haBut some have mentioned perhaps we get wiser. I keep trying to tell my family that!
MadMikeOne
Active member
I'm a 77 year old female and regularly handhold a 180-600 mounted on my Z9. In my bag, I carry a 2nd Z9 with a 70-200 F mount attached via an FTZii adapter PLUS the Z mount 24-120. My travel tripod and gimbal head also go into my camera backpack. No idea how much all that weighs, but I'm so accustomed to hiking quite long distances over terrain of varying difficulty with it that it feels very strange when I'm not lugging all that gear.
I also shoot handheld with the 400mm f2.8 TC mounted on the Z9. On those occasions I don't usually carry quite so much extra gear in my backpack - just the second Z9 with a lens attached and my gimbal head and travel tripod.
Tarsna
New member
I'm 5 foot....71 and shoot greyhound coursing. It goes on for 4 hours with a short break and races are every 3 mins lasting 30 seconds.
I handhold a 300 f2.8 with a tc and a D4s
I handhold a 300 f2.8 with a tc and a D4s
Ivy
New member
I use a monopod (either Promaster AS431 or Manfrotto 290) with mini Flexshooter Pro with Nikon Z9 or Z8 and the 180-600 or 600 PF lens. My second body
(typically with 70-180 or 100-400), I hand hold. Works well with my small hands as I age, allows me to decrease SS under the right conditions, and I can stay focused on the subject without tiring.
nicoleweg
New member
One thing to think about is the combo. If you have a light camera and large prime, it will actually be much more difficult and tiring than a larger better balance set up. I shoot with the Nikon 800mm pf handheld regularly, but only with my Z9. If the same lens is on say a z8, it is much more difficult and tiring.
Hadn’t thought about the balance. Thanks!
Shari
Member
Well I am 82 and still using Nikon Z7 because found 8 & 9 too heavy. I use a tripod with my Sigma 150-600 from my balcony where lots of wildlife and eagles. Thinking of purchasing Nikon 400 4.5 S prime as a walk around lens. Anyone using one?
Perhaps that's why my Z9 is my first choice. While I mostly shoot with a 600PF, many times I add the 1.4tc.
nicoleweg
New member
The 400 4.5 is a great walk around lens. I love it when I'm out hiking with family.
Shari
Member
Thank you. Everything I read this lens is being used with a Z8 or 9. I am hoping to get results with my Nikon Z7
kbird
Member
I bought a shooting harness and it works super well. I just shoot more shots than I would using a tripod, so I am pretty sure I'll get at least one winner. I am 63 and using the 600TC on a Z9. I am mobile, and don't have to carry( fly with) a tripod.
kbird
Member
You may want to read reviews here about shooting in Africa. Unless you are shooting birds all the time - that may get you closer than you want. You can get really close to the animals on many trips. I am planning a trip to Africa too, and will likely take a 70-200 and a prime like 500.mm( for birds)
Thumbs up for all of the strong women on this forum! I am 67 and handhold my Sony 600mm and 300mm. As a bird nerd, I just cant get on without the 600 plus the TC. For hiking I put it on a monopod and wear a Black Rapid harness with QD plates. I do have osteoarthritis but have found that twice a week heavy weight workouts, yoga twice and then 3 mile walk have improved range of motion and pain....and ability to handhold the gear....the real reason I work out.
What brand a model of the shooting harness do you use? Something along those lines may come in useful in my upcoming trips.