Using Canon 100-400mm lens on Wildlife safari soon - can I hand-hold or is tripod always preferable?

[henslens]

I am going on a camping safari in a 4WD truck in Africa soon  - not sure how easy it will be to manoevre a tripod - should I still be able to get sharp images with the IS if hand-held assuming I can use a high enough shutter speed or should I always try and use a tripod/monopod? (or lean on the truck window ledge failing that?)

If using the tripod / monopod, should I still be using the IS? I haven't really come to terms with this function yet (or lens, I'm sorry to say). I have often got disappointing results with the autofocus.

Thanks.

[ebiggs1]

First of all you need to learn the lens.

Now for me a Africa trip would be a once in a lifetime thing, so I would take my Manfrotto, both of them, and use it as much as possible. But that is not always an option!

Generally IS is turned off when using a tripod.

Go practice shooting some birds and wildlife here as much as you can before you go.

It is a great lens and good luck,

EB

[cicopo]

Before packing tripods (DO take a monopod) make sure you can have that extra luggage. I know some travel in Africa has weight limits, especially if using light aircraft. Also note AF has a lot more to do with the body than some think but the lens is part of a system so both work as a team. Learn which AF method works best between the pair (such as single center point or a slightly expanded set etc) and use AI ServoI. I shoot a 100-400 a lot and it's used for action so I know it can do the job in decent light. Don't forget to use mode 2 for panning side to side but it should be off if panning birds flying erratically or zig zagging things. Also PRACTICE before hand as suggested above, especially on things like birds. It will help you get used to the weight in advance of the trip.

[diverhank]

I shoot mostly BIF (birds in flight) and I rarely use a tripod.  As long as the shutter speed is at 1/800 or faster you don't need a tripod or even IS.  My lens is a 400mm f/5.6L which doesn't even have IS.  I like my mobility and will only use a tripod when light is low.  For some reason, I'm not warm towards monopod...I usually can find something to brace myself and the camera with.

The 100-400mm is small and light (relatively speaking) and usually are used hand-held.  The 100-400mm lens has a 2nd generation IS and when you mount it on a tripod you need to turn IS off or it will be worse.  But then if you are on a moving vehicle, IS will be OK even on a tripod.   I've never been on a safari so it's tough to say...I've seen pictures ranging from a 4WD having a single person to some having quite a few people packed in.  You need to find out which kind you are going to be on.  In a sardine situation a tripod will be very tough.  Even a monopod will be very tough, especially when the action is on the wrong side of the 4WD.  I think a bean bag is probably a better solution.  You can brace the camera pretty well on it but when you have to, you can maneuver over  other people without a tripod or monopod.

[henslens]

Hi, thankyou and to the others who responded. I'm new at this!!!

 I had already thought about the luggage and am hoping the equipment can be share around the family.

About the body - I am considering replacing the 40D with a 60D (in the next couple of weeks) as I was told recently the problems I am having with clarity could partially be due to the camera being 'too old'. Would this be a good idea?

Re focussing method - I have only ever used the single centre point. Have not been very adventurous! I have used the lens a bit - eg. in Mongolia but in good light the images were sharp; mainly had trouble in lower light conditions.

Mode 2 for 'panning' - as opposed to zig-zagging - could you elaborate on that? Do you mean panning as in eg. motorcycle riders going over hillsides etc?

 And should the IS be off completely for eg. erratic birds or on Mode1?

I will get out and practice.

May find some kangaroos. (Which often stand still, before zig-zagging off into the distance):smileyhappy:

[7D5D]

Without departing from your original question too far, why not a 7D over the 60D for this (once in a life time) special trip? Seems the AF and FPS could really pay off here.

[cicopo]

The IS system used on that lens allows stabilization in mode 1 which is for stationary targets, and mode 2 is meant for moving targets BUT they should be moving side to side like a race car etc. Neither mode is designed to correct shake when tracking things vertically or moving erratically where you're panning one way & suddenly need to pan in another direction continously making the lens move up / down / left / right / & a mix of those. Mode 2 is for nice smooth panning in a left to right or right to left swing.

All that said I use mine for Radio Control events in mode 2 & do get good results & some of my shots aren't taken in what can be considered just a left to right style pan because I'm also panning upward or downward too but not at a severe angle up or down. I don't know the IS limits when mixing a vertical movement into the panning action but I doubt you can get too much help if the movement (pan) isn't real smooth.

[cicopo]

PS

Agree on the 7D suggestion vs a 60D.

[ebiggs1]

7D:smileyhappy:

60D:smileysad:

[diverhank]

Henslens,

Regarding switching from a 40D to 60D...this switch is not going to give you that much advantage besides the megapixel.  The focusing system is essentially the same as is the frame rate.  As others have stated a 7D would give you much better advantage with a better AF (autofocus) system and a faster frame rate.

For a safari, I'd recommend using AI Servo for focus and hi frame rate for shooting.  Actions like eating or yawning are usually too fast for us to see much less capture...some people disdain "spray and pray" but that usually produces incredible moments.  I normally do 3 shot bursts, sometimes 6 shot bursts to catch birds with fish in mouth or in mid-air.

As for IS, if safari action is anything like BIF action I'm used to...I could observe absolutely no difference between Mode 1 and 2 (I also shoot BIF with my 70-200mm f/4L IS + 1.4X extender).  After a while, I just set it to Mode 1 and forget about it.

Regarding turning off IS...don't unless you have it mounted on a tripod on solid ground not moving at all.  When there is absolutely no motion, the IS system would introduce phantom motion (noise) into the solution, making the images worse.