(does anyone use the) Bushhawk? (shoulder stock) [Archive]

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pklonowski

2nd of February 2005 (Wed), 06:31

RockOne

2nd of February 2005 (Wed), 06:39

Many years ago I had a similar setup, which came with a Zenit kit camera and 300mm lens. The lens was built like a tank. The shoulder mount worked great, and I used it most of the time I used the 300mm lens. Had a trigger just like a gun, and was really good for panning etc. I'm thinking of getting one of the bushhawk ones when I finally get around to getting my 100-400 hopefully mid year. If they do as good a job as the Zenit kit, will be great.

pierrot

2nd of February 2005 (Wed), 10:03

Many years ago I had a similar setup, which came with a Zenit kit camera and 300mm lens. The lens was built like a tank.
Yes, I remember, a friend of mine had one of those. It was fun to use, I tried it with a 400mm and made not so bad pictures at ASA3200 pushed to 6400 (it was the great days of film).

I remember this trigger system, it was fun and handy. But it was yeeeeaaaars ago! 30, I guess? Or at least 25! :D

DaveG

2nd of February 2005 (Wed), 10:41

I'm finding myself taking more wildlife photos than I expected to, using longer lenses (up to 500mm) than I expected to. Tripods work great for reducing camera shake, but take a while to set up, and then the critters fly away (big surprise!). Does anybody have any experience with the Bushhawk, a shoulder-mounted rig? Or any similar products? I saw a brief mention of it in a thread from a year ago; I'm hoping for updated info, comments, & opinions.

I also saw the description of using the unextended monopod under the arm, & the strap around the head; that sounds like it'll take as long to set up as the tripod. I will try it, of course....

Thanks!
Paul

I'd be concerned about the weight of the thing. The camera, a 500 and a rifle stock? I would think that a monopod (extended and resting on the ground not in your belt) would work much better and take the weight off of your arms.

It would also be a lot safer for the photographer to use at Presidential motorcades.

robertwgross

2nd of February 2005 (Wed), 10:52

You will have another problem. The shutter button.

About the only way to rig it is to have the Canon remote shutter cord and tape that onto the shoulder stock near where your right index finger is going to be. It isn't pretty. I saw somebody shooting that way about three weeks ago, and it looked awkward to me.

I don't bother to collapse my tripod all the time. I simply mount the lens on the tripod, and carry it with the camera and lens hanging over my shoulder. For distances of a mile, it works. I've gotten to the point where I can stop, set the tripod, point the camera, then shoot, all within about five seconds. For some animals, that is sufficient.

---Bob Gross---

pierrot

2nd of February 2005 (Wed), 13:30

For some animals, that is sufficient.
Snails? ;)

rick barclay

2nd of February 2005 (Wed), 14:19

Accoring to this link (http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/monopods/index.html), a monopod is a better alternative.

Turbowolf

2nd of February 2005 (Wed), 14:27

I have a Bushhawk and have used it very little since initial purchase. The concept is great, and with the trigger button (which controls the camera body by a remote shutter cord) it is easy to use. The lightweight polymer frame is ergonamically designed to fit a NORMAL person. At 6' 04" and 220+ pounds, I found the adjustable shoudler stock too short, thus uncomfortable to use...

It worked great, until the novelty wore off. Now a majority of the time, if I need a tripod, I'll know in advance. Since almost all of my wildlife photography has come after hours of hiking and watching before a split second encounter, a tripod is somewhat a pain to carry, if anything I'll toss a monopod in the pack.

Anymore, I usually just rely on the 20D w/ it's 100-400 IS USM Lens. And also a little luck...

Phil Hall

2nd of February 2005 (Wed), 15:15

I bought a Bushhawk abot 2 years ago and found it to be useless. I comes with a canon remote trigger, which is about the only thing worth salvaging. I find hand-held 100-400 or monopod is much better. save your monry.

Phil hall

Hogleg 44

2nd of February 2005 (Wed), 15:33

I have one and I really like it. I use it to shoot Kids Soccer games and it is wonderful!

BUT.....I modified it slightly from the way it came! The shoulder stock didn't work out well for me in it's stock position. It made using the camera like shooting a rifle. What I mean is, I had to lay my head to the right to look in the viewfinder. Like you would to site a rifle, and that was not comfortable.

I cut the shoulder extension tube in two right behind the piece that cups the shoulder. I found a piece of plastic conduit at Home Depot that just fit the OD of the BushHawk tube and used that to rotate the shoulder 'cup' enough that allowed me position the rig directly in front of my chest so that the viewfinder was in a more natural camera position. I locked that position on the shoulder piece with a couple of screws through the plastic. Now the 'cup' presses against the side of my upper arm instead of my shoulder. This is much more comfortable for me and I am not cocking my neck and head in a unnatural position.

Then...I took my monopod, and fashioned a small horizontal L bracket to fasten under the camera/head mount screw on the top of the monopod. Now I can use that L bracket to hook under the top of the BushHawk front grip, right behind the shutter trigger. My MkII with a 100-400 lens is nearly perfectly balanced, front to back and side to side, so I don't have to support any camera weight, and I can swing the rig almost anywhere,instantly. I loop the BushHawk neckstrap around my neck and that supports the back of the rig in a perfect position to watch the kids and start shooting. It is ideal for that, or almost anything where you are mostly in one spot but shooting in all directions!

It is great for me! I would not want to shoot pics that way without it now!!!