How is it possible to handle 2 cameras?

[pigtailpat]

During a baseball game situation - is it possible to handle 2 cameras? I don't see how if one is on a monopod and the other around the neck, then what do you do with the camera attached to the pod? Or do you use 2 pods and alternate?

Does anyone do this?

Thanks in advance for feedback.....

[fslshooter]

It's not easy but some do it but with only one combo on a monopod (the body with heavy glass) and the second (lighter weight glass) on a strap either hanging from your neck or from your shoulder. When you're shooting with the heavy combo let the light combo hang, then when you shoot with the light combo, cradle the monopod in the crook of your elbow with the weight resting on the monopod or place it at your feet -- combo down and monopod up.

[40Dude6aedyk]

I set my camera on the ground when I am not using it. There are special techniques for doing this and it takes a lot of training, so don't try it without searching this forum for more tips on how to do it.

[pigtailpat]

I set my camera on the ground when I am not using it. There are special techniques for doing this and it takes a lot of training, so don't try it without searching this forum for more tips on how to do it.

Dude-

I did do a search and came up with zip, if you know of any keywords that could help - be appreciated.........

[fslshooter]

Here are some tips on how to place your camera on the ground:
*Spin the camera/lens on the pod to portrait position so that the flash shoe bracket isn't in contact with the ground.
*Place the camera/lens down with the monopod up and lean the pod against something -- fence, wall, your leg, etc.
*Whenever possible lay the camera on grass or wood rather than dirt, concrete or gravel - I carry a heavy towel in my bag that I lay on the floor of photo pits then I put my gear on it.
*If Possible put them in a place where they won't get knocked over -- in a corner, behind something, under something, etc.
*Don't put light weight camera/lens combos on the ground at sporting events -- either let them hang from your neck or shoulder or put them back in your bag.

I've violated every one of these tips myself and I've spent some money on gear repair bills when I did so too. On the other hand when observing these tips none of my gear has ever been damaged -- yet.

[SuzyView]

There are threads that tell how we do it. But I think we can answer this for you.

I take 2 cameras with me at all times. The 5D2 has a longer strap and usually it has the 70-200 2.8 IS on it and the 40D has the 100-400. I carry the 5D cross the body, usually with the neckstrap on the right shoulder. The 40D is just around the neck, so they don't touch. I also depend on my straps to hold the whole thing up while I use one of the cameras at a time. I use the POTN strap with extenders. When I do walk around, I support the cameras, holding under, mainly supporting the heavy lenses. It's what I do every Sat for my two sons and it's not hard, but it gets heavy. Secret is to have 2 different lengths of straps and carry one across the chest to sling the camera on your side while you use the one around your neck. Am I making myself clear enough?

[clarence]

Check out Scott Sewell's videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMgZ13X_pr4

[Biffbradford]

The best way to learn is to try it and practice.

I've shot stills and video at the same time ... try THAT! http://emoticons4u.com/happy/028.gif

That is a good video linked just above me though.

[pigtailpat]

Guys -

thanks for the tips! First I want to get used shooting with the IIn, then, once I got that down, I would like to try shooting with 2 cameras for flexibility.

fsl -

just to clarify - when you say potrait position - you mean camera in the vertical position right - not - side to side like landscape position right? Just wanted to make sure.........

I'll take a look at the video posted now...

Suzy - that's alot for your neck! I didn't realize you follow the sports section as I see you mostly in weddings...:D

Pat

[SuzyView]

I have 2 sons who play soccer and the fields are getting very large so I take 2 cameras usually. And I don't have them both on my neck, one is cross on the right shoulder. I should take a picture of me holding the cameras sometime so people can see what I do. It's not hard. I never use a monopod, it limits me too much. I sit a lot in the same spot since I don't like interfering with the kids playing too much, so I do put one down if I'm sitting.

[fslshooter]

fsl - just to clarify - when you say potrait position - you mean camera in the vertical position right - not - side to side like landscape position right? Just wanted to make sure...Pat

Yes - reasoning being so that dirt, mud, grit, etc don't get into the camera's hot shoe. Also so that the rails don't get bent (smashed down) so much that your flash unit won't slide into the rails.

[bobbyz]

Check out Scott Sewell's videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMgZ13X_pr4

That is what I was going to suggest. Managing supertele with 70-200mm zoom is tough in the begining. I remember banging my head into the 500mm f4 IS while trying to shoot with 70-200mm f2.8. Sometimes you don't have time to lay down on the ground. I prefer to keep it tucked with my left elbow like Jerry mentioned above.

Why you using another camera? I thought you shooting with your 120-300mm.

[pigtailpat]

Why you using another camera? I thought you shooting with your 120-300mm.

At times, I sometimes feel I am missing a portrait type of shot of a runner anticipating the run, or a play at the plate, that, depending on where I might be located, is too close for the 120-300. This season, I plan to work very hard on plate action, because I still can't get it right. I'm having a lot of trouble catching action at the plate. In fairness, alot of the time the ump or whatever you call them walk into the shot. Alot of the time I just can't focus quickly enough. I plan to work alot with the IIn alone for a long while, concentrating hard on this type of action shot which simply eludes me, and I'm hoping that once I feel comfortable enough to handle two cameras, that perhaps having a second lens already mounted on another body could help me capture something that may fall into my way...

[advaitin]

When you don't have an assistant, you improvise. I can't believe I carried three and four cameras in olden film days, but I did. Last newspaper I worked on, I had two Contax Gs one with a very short strap and the other long enough that both could hang from my neck--one was far enough below the other that they didn't touch and together they weighed less than any of the SLRs. I sewed a set of really big buttons on the shoulders of my vest, which provided a strap stop for an EOS-1 on one shoulder and an RT on the other.

Now, if I feel it necessary to have quick options in lenses or digital format, I use Up Straps to prevent cameras slipping off my shoulders. If I'm using a monopod I keep an arm through a strap and I hold the leg of the 'pod in the crook of my arm. I've never had a camera damaged or dropped that way (which is not to say I haven't dropped a camera--you live long enough things will happen).

Practice makes perfect.

[bobbyz]

Pat, which location you shooting from typically? I would think that 120mm on 1dmk2 should give you plenty of wide end for full length shots of close by subjects. MOst folks use onlyone lens, either 300 or the 400mm f2.8 for baseball.

I tried once my 500mm f4 from behind the home plate and I didn't have any problems with subject getting out of the frame. I had to crop some to get 4:3 out of 2:3 format.

[polarbare]

I use an R-strap from Black Rapid and a monopod, or two R-straps. The R-strap (and similar straps) are perfect for work involving 2 bodies.

[canonnoob]

During a baseball game situation - is it possible to handle 2 cameras? I don't see how if one is on a monopod and the other around the neck, then what do you do with the camera attached to the pod? Or do you use 2 pods and alternate?

Does anyone do this?

Thanks in advance for feedback.....

I use two cameras when shooting baseball. a nikon d1x with a 300 2.8 (on a monopod) and a 40d with a 70-200 2.8 around my neck or on my shoulder. when switching i put the 300 and tilt it over the well wall near the dug out (we sit in the wells and the well walls are just mesh with a covering over the metal) and then switch. I usually either sit on a stool and am over the wall or am standing.

[NVcameraman]

When I shoot with 2 cameras, one is usually my 120-300 f2.8 and the other is eather my 24-70f2.8 or my 70-210f2.8 lens. I use a Camelback water hydration pack that I have attached small snap links and I place the neck strap of the 2 camera thru the snap link. That way the camera are no hanging around my neck but are hanging to my front ready to use.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/3011496490_441394d73d_o.jpg

the attached image shows the snap link with the straps going thru them

[SNSagency]

I shoot football (soccer to you foreign types with the funny accents) with three cameras.
A 400/2.8 on one body and attached to a monopod, a 70-200 on another body, slung over my right shoulder in the ready to go position, i.e strap on the opposite way from when I'm just carrying it, lens pointing outwards instead of inwards, and finally a 24-70 on a third body laid down just to my right, ready to grab when it looks like a goal scorer will run towards me celebrating.
When the big lens is not being used I use it as a table to rest my left hand on while using either the 70-200 or the 24-70.
The only combo to have a strap on is the 70-200, the big lens combo is used clean of obstructions and the 24-70 has a wrist strap. Straps probably cause more damage to sports togs gear than any other item

[Biffbradford]

Well, I'll tell you boys that two weeks ago I shot my first bike race with two 40D bodies. It felt pretty awkward, but last week it was a little smoother. I carried on in my hand, the other slung over my neck/shoulder and off to my left side, shooting with my right. Now I finally got my free SmugMug strap, so I'm going to modify it so it's extra long, allowing the body to hang lower - easier to manipulate. THose stock straps are WAY too short for us 6' 5" types.

[danaitch]

I shoot with three - the 400 on the monopod, the 70-200 on my left shoulder (this is utilised when I put the 400 to one side, e.g. goalline situations), and the 24-70 is on my right shoulder so that I can grab it and use it when the play ends up right under my nose.

I've only just started using three and I've found it hard to balance the swapping around (I didn't use the 24-70 previously and had the 70-200 on my right shoulder). Practice, practice, practice!! :)