300mm or 400mm prime?

No problem - it looks great! By the way, I think that both ducks are female Mallards. They are so common that they don't get much respect, but they have a certain charm, I think, especially when in a really nice pose like in your picture.

RAH1861 wrote in post #12996580
I'm jealous! Your duck is better than mine! We both seem pleased with the 400mm. I know I am.

John_N wrote in post #12996608
Well I did cheat a little - a bit of sharpening and some lightroom magic

Had a feeling you folks would like the 400/f5.6 lens and glad your satisfied like so many other owners.

I simply use a monopod 90% of the time but over the years some members have come up with several DIY designs to aid in alleviating the need of a monopod you might find interesting:

http://rpcrowe.smugmug​.com …530_e5t2C#43682​2948_83o59

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=12237036&po​stcount=29

Also if you own an external Speedlite 430 EX ii or preferably the 580EX ii dont forget the " Better Beamer " for getting the subject shots in the shade or shadows early, late, & even during high noon :

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/​better_beamer.shtml

Regards & Have Fun, Ron

Interesting shoulder ideas, Ron. As far as a monopod, the big problem I have always had with them is getting the camera mounted on it. I mean, what I usually do is carry my camera in a bag and wait till I get to where I want to go, and then I mount the camera on the monopod or tripod. In other words, I don't pre-mount the camera.

With a tripod, you can open it and it just stands there by itself, leaving you with 2 free hands to haul the camera out of the bag and mount it onto the tripod. But with a monopod, it seems like you need 3 hands. Since it won't stand on its own, after you open it up, it has always seemed like a juggling act to get the camera with the long lens up onto it.

Do you have some nifty way to carry the whole arrangment with the camera pre-mounted? That wouldn't be so bad (I mean, I pre-mount my spotting scope on a tripod, for example), but I am always worried about injuring the camera (banging it on a branch, etc.)

RAH1861 wrote in post #12996784
Interesting shoulder ideas, Ron. As far as a monopod, the big problem I have always had with them is getting the camera mounted on it. I mean, what I usually do is carry my camera in a bag and wait till I get to where I want to go, and then I mount the camera on the monopod or tripod. In other words, I don't pre-mount the camera.

With a tripod, you can open it and it just stands there by itself, leaving you with 2 free hands to haul the camera out of the bag and mount it onto the tripod. But with a monopod, it seems like you need 3 hands. Since it won't stand on its own, after you open it up, it has always seemed like a juggling act to get the camera with the long lens up onto it.

Do you have some nifty way to carry the whole arrangment with the camera pre-mounted? That wouldn't be so bad (I mean, I pre-mount my spotting scope on a tripod, for example), but I am always worried about injuring the camera (banging it on a branch, etc.)

I simply use the below monopod along with the below head that comes with a quick release plate that mounts to your 400/f5.6 tripod collar. For added comfort on your shoulder you can add some foam pipe insulation from Home Depot to the upper portion section of the monopod when walking with the camera + lens combo mated over your shoulder. The tilt head has a locking mechanism to add security to prevent disengagement. This a fairly popular economical & secure set-up for a variety of cameras & lens combos under 7lbs.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …1B_3_Section_Mo​nopod.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Swivel_Tilt_Hea​d_for.html

Regards, Ron

OK, thanks. I often carry my spotting scope on a tripod over my shoulder like that. Just a little hesitant to do that with my fancy camera, but I've never had a problem with the scope, so I should give it a try.

Ever tried the monopod-in-a-pocket? Piece of string to the tripod socket, other end with a big washer or something tied to it and put under your foot, and gently pull up for a little tension. Helps stabilise vertical shake somewhat (not perfect by any means, but worth trying).

For those with arca-swiss plates on everything, grab a cheap compatible clamp off ebay to make it quick to attach/detach.

RAH1861 wrote in post #12996936
OK, thanks. I often carry my spotting scope on a tripod over my shoulder like that. Just a little hesitant to do that with my fancy camera, but I've never had a problem with the scope, so I should give it a try.

Another idea for comfort & security is the below which i also own and simply carry the monopod along ready for instant attachment:

http://www.ebay.com …_trksid=p3984.m​1423.l2649

http://carryspeed.com …load=html&paren​tID=649041

http://www.youtube.com …IPKidgDXg&featu​re=related

IMO a no brainer versus paying $69 for the RS-7 Sport which i also have. The Carry-Speed MKII latest version comes with the under-arm strap and they also give you an added plate for a 2nd camera body.

Regards, Ron

Yes, I like the look of that. There's no vulnerability when you go to attach the camera to the monopod or tripod, as there is taking the camera out of a case. And pretty inexpensive too. Thanks!

I hand hold my 400mm all the time, even with a 1.4TC attached. Maybe I'm just destined to be a Jenga champion, but I'm guessing in a lot of situations you could get away with not needing a monopod at all, although I do have one handy for extended shooting times.