Foto a top: Holland 2021 Red Kite (Rode Wouw) 75 meter handheld D500 Nikkor 500 f/6.6E PF VR TC-14E equivalent1050mm standard camouflage.
To tripod or not to tripod, that is the question …
Preferably whenever possible we use stabilised equipment and no tripod. Recent 4-5 stops stabilised Nikon (compatible) lenses and Nikon Z-camera’s with inbody stabilisation ISIS make it an absolutely reliable mode of photographing.
However we still prefer using a stable tripod in special situations like:
- Photographing (small) birds at great distance needing maximal reach (bereik) and use of sight (vizier).
- In order to be able to put our equipment on tripod aside and rest during brief stops.
- When photographing action and or expecting a situation where we will have but a few seconds to move or refocus a handheld camera.
Nevertheless we quite often carry a tripod, usually type Coman (light but sufficiently stirdy when using lightweight lenses) plus Sirui (light and sufficient at longer walks). We also use small binoculars Pentax 9 x 42 (good optics, they fit in our pocket). Occasionally we use Swarovski STM80HD or STM50HD telescope (both with perfect optics and reliable UCA adapters when digiscoping or phonescoping).
Sometimes we use a lightweight Micnova camera harnas hip/breast to carry a second lens [+ converter] or second camera. This “harnas” has proven to be absolutely safe and comfortable during long walks. This way we can photograph large birds or (fast) action (nearby) or use long reach (bereik). We carry one combination on tripod and exchange this one with second camera [+ converter] behind the lens [+ converter], which remains safely fixed on tripod. This works safe and comfortably at longer trips. We could also exchange photo and video camera [special microphone] this way.
Whether you work handheld or tripod depends on sufficient stabilisation camera or lens, distance to subject, exposure time and your working method like handheld, tripod, monopod, rice bag, someone’s shoulder, some kind of remote control or support like a tree, wall, car window or the like. Anything may help like resting your back against a tree or wall. In those cases youshould switch VR (Vibration Reduction) Off. Anyway practice using VR On or Off. On our tribike we usually are using our Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF VR combination VR OFF but resting in front of us on the tribike itself. This works perfectly!
Stabilisation of the latest Nikon, Sigma and Tamron lenses and camera’s is definitely sufficient to systematically photograph birds handheld even when they are active or at larger distances like fifty meters or more. Nikon Z Series camera’s (not Z50) all feature 5-axis In-body Stabilisation, “IBIS” which is extremely reliable.
Some examples using tripod or VR:
(click -> open picture, > < next previous picture, i -> settings camera + lens, “Full size” -> full screen, x-> exit picture)
