Tripods?

[dragginass]

Is anybody using tri-pods with a gimble head for long lens road course photography?
I thought it would make for some smooth panning but have never seen anyone doing it.
Thanks!

[DC Fan]

Most motorsport work is done handheld, even at long distances.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20100528b0202.jpg

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20100502a0037.jpg

Both at 400mm.

Tripods can hinder that instant reaction that's often needed to track unpredictable movement.

[GSH]

If you need support get a monopod and don't bother with silly heads.

Or, buy a tripod and give the rest of us something to laugh at :D

[Lowner]

I use a monopod with a simple ballhead. The difficulty with a tripod is that the subject moving at 200mph across the frame means you the photographer needs to be dancing around the rear of the tripod at a considerable speed yourself.

A monopod can be simple swayed to follow the subject by swiveling the hips. much easier.

[ryant35]

oops wrong thread.

[MMX]

I have seen one guy with tripod and gimbal head but he had a 500mm Nikon and he was not a journalist so he didn´t have to walk around the circuit. So if you have a really heavy telephoto and can stay on one spot, it can be helpful.

[Lowner]

Take a look at the track pro's. 99% use monopods and the odd 1% handhold. Tripods? Never seen one used by a working 'tog.

[andrewc]

I would say the balance between handheld and monopods is probably 50:50. I use a monopod on the basis that I've only got one back and its got to last me the rest of my life.

Very few tripods seen, although with video becoming more established I expect to see more in the next few years.

[johnf3f]

What do you mean by a long lens?
If I can get away with my 300 f4/70-200 then even a monopod is a waste of time.
However if you need reach try handholding a 600! I can do it but only for about 10 seconds or so then I need a rest and possibly medical attention.
Handheld is obviously the most flexible and adaptable method for most sports, though with nearly all motorsports the direction of travel is entirely predictable. Anyone who has used a Wimberley II head (or one of it's better clones) and a tripod will confirm it allows you to use lenses that would otherwise be totally impractical.
If you can get close great - go hand held with a light lens, bigger longer try a monopod, if you have to really reach out or need to use a long f2.8 (eg 400) then it's a tripod and a gimbal head. You can use these lenses off a monopod (I frequently do with my 600) but I can assure you it's a pain!

[philwillmedia]

Is anybody using tri-pods with a gimble head for long lens road course photography?
I thought it would make for some smooth panning but have never seen anyone doing it.
Thanks!
That's because they don't.
With the bigger lenses, the monopod is just for holding the weight. A good mono is sufficent for anything up to and including an 800mm prime.
No need for a mono on lenses smaller than or similiar in size to the 70-200/2.8, 300/f4, 100-400 etc.
A tripod is the most cumbersome item a motorsport photographer can use, and in certain circumstance can be downright dangerous.
If you need to move in a hurry, it's a lot harder with a tri, than it is a mono.

...though with nearly all motorsports the direction of travel is entirely predictable...

You've obviously never shot much motorsport.
If you can predict where two cars are going to end up after they touch or if a driver has a lose, you, sir, are an absolute genius.

[johnf3f]

No I am not a genius!(Though I am passable at Ballistics).
However I only use a long (over 200mm) lens when I cannot get close. For reference I normally use my 70-200 handheld with the 24-105 I get pebble dashed too frequently.
To Phil OBVIOUSLY(!!) one does not use a long (heavy) lens unless it is absolutely necessary to get the field of view required when you cannot get into a suitable position, nobody carries these lumps out of choice - look at the number of 800mm Sigmas + 600 Canons used at F1 events (Dubai Gp on BBC etc). One uses them when you have to and tracking moving objects with them reliably requires support.
Please note in my reply I wasn't thinking of crashes, I enjoy watching/photographing people racing not crashing.

[DC Fan]

though with nearly all motorsports the direction of travel is entirely predictable.!

Not much predictable here.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20100130b2128.jpg

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20090417a2198.jpg

A few examples of why this writer uses lenses handheld at races. The only thing you can predict from motorsports is that the sport is unpredictable, and that you need to be able to cover the entire field of view at a moment's notice. Even so, sometimes you'll miss something, despite having the camera at the ready.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/online/2010-05-30aa-0333.jpg

The key to catching unexpected action isn't the "direction of travel," it's the quickness with which the unexpected can happen.

[Lowner]

DC FAN,

Here in the UK, every one of those photographers in your last shot would have monopods. Maybe its different the other side of the Atlantic.

The other difference is that at most tracks they would be the other side of the safety fencing, between it and the armco barriers.

[Geejay]

I borrowed a carbon monopod a while ago and found it useful for head-on shots, but prefer handheld for panning. There was a guy up at Oulton Park afew week ago with a tripod/gimble set up. He was happy, but it looked quite awkward to me..

[MMX]

look at the number of 800mm Sigmas + 600 Canons used at F1 events (Dubai Gp on BBC etc).

FYI there´s no F1 GP in Dubai ;)

[Richard Brewer]

Monopods would seem the weapon of choice for these guy at Le Mans last week

[johnf3f]

To MMX - Sorry my error!
It was Bahrain - apologies.

[Lowner]

Richard,

Only two Canon white lenses in the whole bunch? Canon might need to offer a few more freebies. The guy on the left with his flash and normal lens seems to caught the attention of his neighbour.

See? On this side of the pond, monopods and between the safety fence and the armco. The world can continue to revolve knowing that we do things different in Europe.

[Richard Brewer]

There was a third white lens in the bottom right, sorry to Jakob for cutting off half of him and his lens.