Robin - first 150-600 test shot

[Ian]

This is my first test shot with the new-to-me 150-600, shot at 600mm, hand held, ISO 2000, 1/800th, f/6.3 (so not stopped down). The robin and feeder were in the shade yesterday evening, so the lighting is a bit mixed up, not ideal. And, yes, I need a new holder for the fat balls!

My cropped edit:



And below is the uncropped (and unedited) view showing the subject recognition and AF (single point) target.



I'm happy with the lens and have no problems with the weight and balance, even when the lens extends fully at 600mm.

This test shot is only OK, in my view - room for improvement!

Ian

PS I have just noticed a little purple fringing on some of the feeder bars.

[blackfox]

not bad for starters Ian

[sapper]

Nice.
I did look at the 150-600 at the NEC but it is too heavy for this old un. The 150-400 is heavy enough.

[Ian]

I'll need to keep my fitness - 65 next week!

[Ian]

not bad for starters Ian

It's undeniably soft, but the lighting conditions weren't ideal.

Ian

[Joe_T]

Hand holding that monster is beyond me. I can't manage the 100-400 without a Monopod. I would sell it and buy the new 50-200 but that is heavier than the 100-400!

[MJ224]

We done , Ian, its a great shot......

[Bikie John]

Hand holding that monster is beyond me. I can't manage the 100-400 without a Monopod. I would sell it and buy the new 50-200 but that is heavier than the 100-400!

You could try one of these:

https://fotospeed.com/easy-shoulder-andchest-pod.html

I have been using them for years, and find them great with medium-sized lenses like the 100-400. They weigh next to nothing and pack up small so are easy to tuck into the corner of a bag. I do find they don't give enough support for the really big lenses like the lovely old 4/3 system 90-250/2.8 though.

(This is from a UK seller's website so probably not much use to you but you might be able to find somewhere in the US that imports Kaiser stuff. It is out of stock at Fotospeed so not much use to UK members either at the moment 😄)

John

[MK1]

It's interesting when I had a limited time with that lens (my son hired one) it have me a sharp shot so it would be of interest to me

[Joe_T]

You could try one of these:

https://fotospeed.com/easy-shoulder-andchest-pod.html

I have been using them for years, and find them great with medium-sized lenses like the 100-400. They weigh next to nothing and pack up small so are easy to tuck into the corner of a bag. I do find they don't give enough support for the really big lenses like the lovely old 4/3 system 90-250/2.8 though.

(This is from a UK seller's website so probably not much use to you but you might be able to find somewhere in the US that imports Kaiser stuff. It is out of stock at Fotospeed so not much use to UK members either at the moment 😄)

John

Thanks John. That unit does not seem to be for sale in the USA. I see a similar item, Novoflex Chest/Shoulder Pod, listed at B&H Photo. It sells for $204.00, is out of stock and gets mediocre reviews.
I may look further to see if I can find something similar to try out. I had previously purchased a vest type of holder that was ok for carrying, but when I took the camera off the vest I was back to hand holding with no support so I returned it.
Unfortunately I'm not very steady on my feet and also have a slight tremor in my hands. I don't mind using a monopod except for those shots where I need to raise the camera quickly for something like a bird high up in a tree or bird in flight etc.

[Bikie John]

Thanks John. That unit does not seem to be for sale in the USA. I see a similar item, Novoflex Chest/Shoulder Pod, listed at B&H Photo. It sells for $204.00, is out of stock and gets mediocre reviews.
I may look further to see if I can find something similar to try out. I had previously purchased a vest type of holder that was ok for carrying, but when I took the camera off the vest I was back to hand holding with no support so I returned it.
Unfortunately I'm not very steady on my feet and also have a slight tremor in my hands. I don't mind using a monopod except for those shots where I need to raise the camera quickly for something like a bird high up in a tree or bird in flight etc.

It sounds as though you may need something ,ore substantial. The chest pod doesn't work well when you need to point sharply upwards: its strength is that by pulling it back into your chest (it fits nicely in the hollow below the collar bone) it feels really stable. You are still supporting the weight with your left hand, but it feels easier. I generally use it for rugby, a match lasts about an hour and a half. Without any support I am feeling wobbly after not very long, with it I can last the duration quite happily.

As for Novoflex - I know they make decent quality stuff but the price is ridiculous! And irrelevant since it is out of stock anyway. I wonder why the poor reviews though, I will have to take a look.

John

[TravelingChick]

It took a while for me to get used to the length and balance, but overall, pretty easy to hand-hold. If I'm out for a longer time, I'll pop it on a monopod.