Bought a lens that i know feel is to heavy,,

GlasgowGunner

GlasgowGunner

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Hi all im looking for a quick bit of advise on lens weight's and comfort of holding them.

The other day i bought my new(Used) Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens for my canon 30d but i was torn between this and the canon 70-200 f4.

Thing is i have been out and about with the lens and i am loving the shots i am getting with this(So SHARP) but i am finding it heavy and a struggle to hand hold. I get the odd in focus shot but most a blurry mess due to my wrist having trouble taking the weight, This is due to a motorcycle crash i had last year and due to this i have a very weak wrist.

I am now wondering if i should have went for the canon 70-200 f4 as it is a bit lighter.

Can anybody give me some idea of the weight diff in both and the aid of comfort in holding both lenses.

Now i know it should maybe be on a tripod(Got myself a redsnapper) but i want to be able to walk with the lens in my hand too.
 
I use a monopod all the time with my 400mm and its great, its a lot easier to focus on things and a lot steadier than using just my arms.

I have a manfrotto one which was around £30 ish
 
Isn,t that the lens you were unhappy with because of marks on it,i would have sent it back.:shrug:
 
The f/4 is 705g and the sigma (HSM II) is 1345g so nearly double the weight, like flash said try a monopod and see how you go?
 
If you are not too tall, the most monopods will suffice. (I know my colleague at 6'5 had difficulty finding one).
You may want to consider whether you need a ball head or pan and tilt before purchase (don't know how bad your wrist is)
 
Do the monopods have quick release plates though, Don't want to keep taking it off and on.
 
Monopods are great,love mine.:):thumbs:
 
Thanks folk, just as well i asked this was about to put my new love up for sale.
I will look into a monopod then and give it a go, need a stocking filler anyway.

Anybody know of one with the quick release of daft question as they all have them?
 
I purchased the 70-400 F4 IS recently, I knew instantly I have made the right decision when it was half the weight of the F2.8 plus it was a bit shorter in length. It weighs almost the same as my 24-105L so its a definite walkabout lens.

I love the F2.8 but it weighs like a canon and I got an old shoulder injury so it gets sore about an hour.
 
Most do,but check:):thumbs:
 
GlasgowGunner said:
Thanks folk, just as well i asked this was about to put my new love up for sale.
I will look into a monopod then and give it a go, need a stocking filler anyway.

Anybody know of one with the quick release of daft question as they all have them?
Click to expand...

Most monopods come without a head, so you'd need something like the Manfrotto 234RC head (£25-30) which comes with a qr plate
 
henryf4 said:
I purchased the 70-400 F4 IS recently, I knew instantly I have made the right decision when it was half the weight of the F2.8 plus it was a bit shorter in length. It weighs almost the same as my 24-105L so its a definite walkabout lens.

I love the F2.8 but it weighs like a canon and I got an old shoulder injury so it gets sore about an hour.
Click to expand...

Did'nt even get an hour and was killing me, had to switch to southpaw but no good.
 
you can get the manfrotto head here £24 ish
 
I would add two comments on use of a monopod.

I use a very lightweight monopod, no head, which takes the weight when not taking photos, then I lift to use 'handheld' for the actual photos. It reduces the strain as long as your subject only appears once in a while (ie waiting for them to appear next lap on the race circuit) but you still get handheld flexibility (not so easy landscape to portrait I grant you - you have to decide which in advance!)

Secondly, I've found if I use the same (lightweight) monopod set very short and angle it on the lens (rotating lens mount - I use the Sigma 150-500 so very similar to the 70-200) I then use this as a 'brace' in the crook of my left arm which aids stability.

I should also point out I do use the monopod as it should be used! (Santa will be bringing me a sturdier version for regular use!!)

My two pennyworth - for what it's worth!

Andy
 
I got the redsnapper with mini ball head

I love it, works great, well balanced and I like the quick release head.

It is even on offer

monopod with head offer

Cheers

MIP
 
GlasgowGunner said:
Hi all im looking for a quick bit of advise on lens weight's and comfort of holding them.

The other day i bought my new(Used) Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens for my canon 30d but i was torn between this and the canon 70-200 f4.

Thing is i have been out and about with the lens and i am loving the shots i am getting with this(So SHARP) but i am finding it heavy and a struggle to hand hold. I get the odd in focus shot but most a blurry mess due to my wrist having trouble taking the weight, This is due to a motorcycle crash i had last year and due to this i have a very weak wrist.

I am now wondering if i should have went for the canon 70-200 f4 as it is a bit lighter.

Can anybody give me some idea of the weight diff in both and the aid of comfort in holding both lenses.

Now i know it should maybe be on a tripod(Got myself a redsnapper) but i want to be able to walk with the lens in my hand too.
Click to expand...

I think it all because it’s new to you I hand hold my 70-200 L IS 2.8 and my 100-400-L IS with no problem. I think the more you use it the better you will become
 
GlasgowGunner said:
Off to search the net......Thanks folk.
Click to expand...

can I suggest a wrist strap too then when you don't use the monopod at least you don't have to physically hold the camera all the time.

I use the Jacobs ones as they actually strap to the wrist so you can let go of the camera if you want (don't recommend it though)

I use them all the time - a 1d mk2 and a 28-300L weighs a ton!
 
henryf4 said:
I purchased the 70-400 F4 IS recently, I knew instantly I have made the right decision when it was half the weight of the F2.8 plus it was a bit shorter in length. It weighs almost the same as my 24-105L so its a definite walkabout lens.

I love the F2.8 but it weighs like a canon and I got an old shoulder injury so it gets sore about an hour.
Click to expand...

Did you mean that it weighs like a 'Canon' or like a 'Cannon'? :thinking:

We are a pedantic bunch here.
 
Andy makes a very good point. You can stabilise these heavier lenses using the crook of your arm. I've done it with the Canon 70-200 2.8IS which is a real brute on the 1Ds.

Crook it in your arm and lower it gently and as you breathe out then squeeze the shutter.

There are various techniques to using longer lenses that are well worth reading up on. Some of our birding and wildlife colleagues are best to advise on this. :)
 
If your camera is not gripped then get one, yes it will add weight but it will balance better, also an Handstrap, I have one on both bodies and a normal Wedding coverage is over 12 hours - 1 Series body, 70-200 2.8is and 580ex2, heavy combination and due to various silly sports and repetitive work over the years my wrists are goosed but with the Handstrap you dont actually have to grip the camera that hard !

Try one, you will be amazed !
 
How are you holding it? 70-200 2.8 is always going to be heavy, and hard work to lug around, but I wouldn't have thought you would need too much actual strength to hold it when shooting.

Cup the lens in your left hand, and pull your elbow in to the side of your chest. The weight is taken on your chest effectively. There should be hardly any weight supported by your right hand.
 
Well i,ve popped back to say i have got a shot of a monopod so i am going to take it out and try it for a couple of hours today and see how i get on.

Keep u posted.
 
You will see a big difference.:)
 
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