Shooting with two cameras?

Maybe use an R-strap to keep one tucked-in to the side...

Other than that, anticipation is the key... learn to read the action...
 
I'd forget the monopod - it just gets in the way.
 
i recently bought the slightly cheaper, but still fairly decent op/tech dual harness and would highly recommend it. it takes away the headache of holding 2 bodies. it can get a little clumsy as the cameras can knock together if you are not careful or turn suddenly, but still a worthy piece of kit.
 
hsuffyan said:
i recently bought the slightly cheaper, but still fairly decent op/tech dual harness and would highly recommend it. it takes away the headache of holding 2 bodies. it can get a little clumsy as the cameras can knock together if you are not careful or turn suddenly, but still a worthy piece of kit.
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What cameras/bodies do you use with this strap?
 
I have the 400 on a monopod and the 135 on an optech standard strap over my right shoulder.

Rest the monopod on your left shoulder and shoot underneath the 300/400 with the second body. You might need to hook your arm around the monopod to keep it steady.

It takes practice and you need to be quick...you'll miss a lot of shots if you're too slow.

I found i missed a lot when I had the 300 and 70-200 as the focal lengths were quite close, and actually players would be just about to shoot/cross when they were still framed well in the 300.

With the 400 and the 135 there's a nice bit of time to react so I tend to get more shots.
 
neil_g said:
id agree with this, i had the 120-300 on one the other day and if youre not holding the monopod securely it does act a tad top heavy and swing around uncontrollably so have now binned it off. plus i found i get less keepers on the pod anyway.
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I agree the monopod does make shooting slower. If I were to get rid of the pod how would you use a my combination. Maybe R-strap on the 70-200 on one shoulder and the 300 handheld and put on my bag when not needed?
 
jamesb84 said:
I have the 400 on a monopod and the 135 on an optech standard strap over my right shoulder.

I found i missed a lot when I had the 300 and 70-200 as the focal lengths were quite close, and actually players would be just about to shoot/cross when they were still framed well in the 300.

With the 400 and the 135 there's a nice bit of time to react so I tend to get more shots.
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:bang:

I was going to go for the 135L, but people recommended me the 70-200 for it's versatility.
 
redmonkee said:
I agree the monopod does make shooting slower. If I were to get rid of the pod how would you use a my combination. Maybe R-strap on the 70-200 on one shoulder and the 300 handheld and put on my bag when not needed?
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i was thinking about this sunday when i kept having to swap between 70-200 and 120-300..

2 R straps like mentioned i think will cause the cameras to get in each others way. what was that system that was posted a little bit ago where the body clipped into a belt holster type thing?
 
neil_g said:
i was thinking about this sunday when i kept having to swap between 70-200 and 120-300..

2 R straps like mentioned i think will cause the cameras to get in each others way. what was that system that was posted a little bit ago where the body clipped into a belt holster type thing?
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Would an R-strap work if you were sat down? Would the camera bash onto the ground or can it be adjusted to avoid this?
 
neil_g said:
id agree with this, i had the 120-300 on one the other day and if youre not holding the monopod securely it does act a tad top heavy and swing around uncontrollably so have now binned it off. plus i found i get less keepers on the pod anyway.
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I use the 682B which has the detachable feet which makes it as manoeverable as a monopod bu much steadier so it won't swing around.
 
redmonkee said:
:bang:

I was going to go for the 135L, but people recommended me the 70-200 for it's versatility.
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I went for the 135 as I'm fed up with not getting shots in the corners at the dungeons I shoot at occasionally. It's nice being able to go to f/2.0 and I can also use it for Ice Hockey as well...which is a plus.
 
You will be sat down for 90% of sports
Keep the 300 on a monopod...
Put your 2nd body strap round your neck and let the 2nd body rest in your lap
Monopod is between your legs.. simply let it balance there and against your body while you use the 2nd body... with a 400 you ahve to do it james way but 300 is easier to handle.

1) you will find you hardly use the 2nd body.. certainly not so much if you position yourself well to the action..

2) practice.. it will come with time :)


I got rid of the 70-200 in favour of the 135L as did a few others I know.. for the f2 but also because its betetr in low light as the 70-200 is dissapointing under floodlights when compared to the 135..
 
Shooting sports with 2 bodies/lenses takes a bit of practice and finding a way you feel comfatable with. Personally I prefer James way. I drop the 400 (300 in your case) onto my shoulder and pick up my 70-200 which is around my neck on a strap. Some prefer to just swop over and balance on ther laps and some rest the 400 onto the advertising boards.
 
I do exactly the same as KIPAX. Big lens on a monopod and the short lens around my neck and resting in my lap. You have to work at anticipating the action and working out when to switch, from long to short, but it is essential that you switch quickly or you'll miss the shot.

I've had instances of an out-of-control 1DIV and 300 waving about on the monopod as I've switched over as it's all rather top-heavy. Bit of a juggling act. Also I just got a tilt head for the monopod so I can fold the rig up when moving about.

Often I may have the short lens on the ground next to me or on my bag, but wherever it is, it's resting on its side so the grip is uppermost - easier to grab that way.

Also, obviously make sure the second body is set up correctly and ready to shoot - you wont have time to make changes to aperture/ISO/shutter. If shooting in manual with changing light, make sure that you are keeping the 2nd body set up correctly throughout.
 
Tobers said:
I do exactly the same as KIPAX. Big lens on a monopod and the short lens around my neck and resting in my lap. You have to work at anticipating the action and working out when to switch, from long to short, but it is essential that you switch quickly or you'll miss the shot.

I've had instances of an out-of-control 1DIV and 300 waving about on the monopod as I've switched over as it's all rather top-heavy. Bit of a juggling act. Also I just got a tilt head for the monopod so I can fold the rig up when moving about.

Often I may have the short lens on the ground next to me or on my bag, but wherever it is, it's resting on its side so the grip is uppermost - easier to grab that way.

Also, obviously make sure the second body is set up correctly and ready to shoot - you wont have time to make changes to aperture/ISO/shutter. If shooting in manual with changing light, make sure that you are keeping the 2nd body set up correctly throughout.
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Cheers Tobers

My 70-200 2.8 arrived today, so i'm gonna try practising my technique when I get home. Gonna tray balancing the 300 (on pod) against my shoulder while I reach for the 70-200 which will be on the floor next to me.
 
KIPAX said:
You will be sat down for 90% of sports..
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Except motorsport! You don't sit down there - you need to be on your toes and ready to run!

Bloody pansy ball games togs :thumbs:
 
LOL!

Not if its F1!
 
redmonkee said:
yeah I play that sport everyday driving to work :lol:
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You should see me kick empty Coke cans into the bin at work... wasted my skill is I tell you :lol:
 
redmonkee said:
What cameras/bodies do you use with this strap?
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sorry for late reply to your question. i have 2 5DMKII's, one with a 24-70 2.8 and another with a 70-200 2.8 IS. and then maybe a flash gun on each.

when you crouch or bend down you just have to give a little care to the setup, but its still a massive improvement over having 2 cameras on regular straps hanging off you. You know the cameras will never fall off your shoulders in this way.
 
have the second body slung over the shoulder of your picture taking hand side
so your ready for quick action
have a look at the togs doing the world cup
 
i used to use one with a short strap and one with a long strap....one above the other
 
KIPAX said:
I got rid of the 70-200 in favour of the 135L as did a few others I know.. for the f2 but also because its betetr in low light as the 70-200 is dissapointing under floodlights when compared to the 135..
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I've had the privledge of meeting Tony at a ladies football match were he has helped me with my settings and general sports photography (also cost me lots of pennies lol :) thanks Tony - anyway he lent me his 135 which i used with a 1.4x giving me f2.8 - I later borrowed a friends 70-200 2.8is and really struggled with it, the pics were far better with the 135 :) bearing in mind using the converter and going from f2 to f2.8
 
ali g said:
I've had the privledge of meeting Tony at a ladies football match were he has helped me with my settings and general sports photography (also cost me lots of pennies lol :) thanks Tony - anyway he lent me his 135 which i used with a 1.4x giving me f2.8 - I later borrowed a friends 70-200 2.8is and really struggled with it, the pics were far better with the 135 :) bearing in mind using the converter and going from f2 to f2.8
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I let someone use one of my mkIII cameras for half a football match we where both at... and he went out and bought one the following week... I tend to cost a few people lots of money :)

But then agin many yrs ago I was using an olympus bridge camera when someone let me try there canon 10d ... so its his fault :)
 
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