1st Time Shooting NFL

I have the opportunity to shoot a couple of NFL preseason games. If all goes well I get the whole season.
I'm all set to hit the field short of 1 item.
Does everyone attach directly to the lens collar or do you use a head?
I have a Feisol Monopod, what is everyone's thoughts on a head?
I'll be shooting the 1DX with the 400 F2.8 IS II

Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

Personally I don't use a head (Mark IV and the 400mm 2.8). I get along just fine with out one, but it would be nice to have a Gimbal head. Here are two popular options:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …93_Heavy_Duty_G​imbal.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …bal_Type_Tripod​_Head.html

Attach monopod to lens foot. For the rare times that you would need to elevate or depress more than you can get by simply leaning forward or backwards you can pick the whole thing up for a quick shot. If you have the ball head loose enough to easily change elevations then it will do so on its own accord and the chances of catching your finger in a pinch point can become a serious problem. With a 400 and a 1DX that would be heavy enough to break a finger!!!

In my opinion if the camera is mounted so that it is easily moved then a ball head should not be used on a super tele only a gimbal mount and then only on tripods or other similar stable mounts where you can let go and the camera system will remain where left. Remember gravity works sometimes for you, sometimes against you but it always works.

"Attach monopod to lens foot. For the rare times that you would need to elevate or depress more than you can get by simply leaning forward or backwards you can pick the whole thing up for a quick shot."

I think this is good advice. Things happen very quickly in NFL football as compared with HS or even D1. Another body with a 70-200 will also be very useful.

No heads but I prefer arca swiss plates on the lens foot and clamp on the monopod.

I was going to take a second body with the 70-200 f2.8 IS. the problem is I have a 5D Mk II body, I don't think it'll focus fast enough. Considering picking up a 1D Mk III as a second body, any thoughts?

Good choice.

Sold my 5D MK II, looking at buying a 1D MK IV or 5D MK III.
Leaning towards the 1D MK IV - Thoughts?

John Godwin wrote in post #16164105
Attach monopod to lens foot. For the rare times that you would need to elevate or depress more than you can get by simply leaning forward or backwards you can pick the whole thing up for a quick shot. If you have the ball head loose enough to easily change elevations then it will do so on its own accord and the chances of catching your finger in a pinch point can become a serious problem. With a 400 and a 1DX that would be heavy enough to break a finger!!!

In my opinion if the camera is mounted so that it is easily moved then a ball head should not be used on a super tele only a gimbal mount and then only on tripods or other similar stable mounts where you can let go and the camera system will remain where left. Remember gravity works sometimes for you, sometimes against you but it always works.

Yep.

Doc4659 wrote in post #16179702
Sold my 5D MK II, looking at buying a 1D MK IV or 5D MK III.
Leaning towards the 1D MK IV - Thoughts?

I decided for the mkIV recently. The mk3 is definately not a bad camera but I like the mkIV better. Mainly for the fps, the feel/size paired with bigger lenses and the better buffer when shooting RAW+JPG to separate cards. The mk3 is better on high-ISO but on all other areas I easily went for the mkIV and I don't regret.

Why 10fps is more important for me than 6fps? For cycling finishes and soccer (as an example) a calculated speed of 60 km/h (37.28mph) will mean that the subject, either the cyclist or the ball, will move 16,66 meters per second. On a 5d mk3 that means I get a photo every 2,77 meters if the AF works at its optimum. On a 1D mkIV I get the same photos every 1,66 meters giving me a bigger chance to get "that" photo. The difference can be getting a photo of the ball and the goalie in the same frame vs just a goalie.

Doc4659 wrote in post #16179702
Sold my 5D MK II, looking at buying a 1D MK IV or 5D MK III.
Leaning towards the 1D MK IV - Thoughts?

For sports the 1DMkIV is the answer. Also keep in mind if you ever decide to use strobes with sports, the max sync speed of the 5DIII is 1/125 vs. 1/250. But then again the 5DIII will produce higher quality images at high ISO...

I do own both...for action I'll use the 1DIV and a 1DIII. For wide angle 'candids' I'll be using the 5DIII.

If I had to choose to only bring one when shooting sports...it would be the 1DIV.

Hope that helps.

dwarrenr wrote in post #16182287
the max sync speed of the 5DIII is 1/125 vs. 1/250.

I sync my mkIV on 1/320sec without the black strip.

ormathisen wrote in post #16182534
I sync my mkIV on 1/320sec without the black strip.

Agreed...as do I with the MkIII and MkIV...but specs say 1/250 and several members herein have stated they get banding at 1/320. Thus I don't throw that info out there.

Just curious, how did you get the opportunity to get field pass? Good luck.