First college football game, monopod or no?

Shooting my first college football game this weekend, and wondering if I should use a monopod. I have already shot some high school football, and so far I've lasted up until about halftime, then tossing the monopod. Even with a 1D4 and 300 2.8 I found it easier to hold it than keep it on a monopod, I can move side-to-side quicker.

And, yea, I know, it's better to have a 400 2.8 for football, but it's all I've got, next to a 70-200 for closer action.

So any tips, opinions would be appreciated.

Whatever you are comfortable with. To be honest, with something like that it really doesn't matter what other people do. Just do what you are comfortable with to get the shots you want. I know some people that lay down on the field to get lower to the ground, but being in the south you would instantly melt.

I never use a monopod for a 300, but usually do for a 400. 300 is pretty easy to hand hold.

Thanks guys. I try to kneel when possible, and just stand up every now and then to stretch the legs. I'll just carry the camera. I'll have the 1D4 with the 300, and I have a 1D3 which will have a 70-200. Hopefully my 1D3 will behave, been getting ERR 99 a lot, and that's after Canon said they fixed it last month, but that's another story..

Thanks again...

Hello,
If you are holding the 300mm how do you move over to the 70-200mm and switch cameras that fast to catch the action.. isnt it better to use a mono pod for the 300mm...???
I feel like I can swing the 300mm out of my way and grib my 70-200 and let the 1dmkiii and 300mm rest on my arm / shoulder... but that how I use it.. sitting or standing..

What works for me is what works for me... its your game, make it happen...

IMO better to bring it and stuff it back on the bag, than want it and have left it at home. I pretty much never stand with a monopod, I just leave it set for lower and it falls to the ground for stabilization, as I take a knee, pretty easily for me.

After using a monopod for almost 2 years, I still can't get to hold it while shooting with another camera. I did a high school game last week, and I had both cameras loose. I would use the 300, but if I figured the play was coming to my end (lining up on far hash marks), I'd get the other body ready. Not sure if that's the best way, but I will for sure bring it anyway, and if it becomes a nuisance I will just throw it in my bag.

Hello, So the camera you are not using do you just put the camera on the ground or move to one shoulder?? just in case you have to pick up and run out of the way..
I just did a google search for 'sport shooting with a mono pod' and came up with a few video's that other photogs out there are using...

Joe

I have a Black Rapid strap, so was going to use that for the 1D3/70-200, and when I need to use it will just put the 1D4/300 on the ground, looking at my surroundings first, of course. Don't need it to get crushed or have someone take it.

I'll bring it with me and see what happens. I just wanted to get some opinions from you all here to see what you do.

I use the following

A 1DMKIV w/ 300 2.8 IS or the 400 2.8 IS on a monopod

A 1DMKIII w a Black rapid and a 70-200 2.8 IS II

THis shows exactly what I do but I do NOT put the second body on the ground.
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=iMgZ13X_pr4

MajesticMomentsPhoto wrote in post #15085962
I use the following

A 1DMKIV w/ 300 2.8 IS or the 400 2.8 IS on a monopod

A 1DMKIII w a Black rapid and a 70-200 2.8 IS II

THis shows exactly what I do but I do NOT put the second body on the ground.
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=iMgZ13X_pr4

Funny, I have the EXACT same setup, short of the 400 2.8. I have a Black Rapid strap as well. I'll bring it all and see what happens. Hoping it's a cloudy day because the sun angle is going to suck, supposed to cloud up later anyway.

EDIT: Great video! Thanks for the link.

I use one..but with RA..its hard to get up and down all the time..

kenjancef wrote in post #15086582
Funny, I have the EXACT same setup, short of the 400 2.8. I have a Black Rapid strap as well. I'll bring it all and see what happens. Hoping it's a cloudy day because the sun angle is going to suck, supposed to cloud up later anyway.

EDIT: Great video! Thanks for the link.

Great minds think alike!

I got the 400, as depending on the game/venue I found that the 300+ 1.4 tc and the crop of the 1DMkIV I was just too tight.

Depending on my game responsibilities I'll do one or the other.

I also own the RRS Mono, but for Football or similar field sports, I switch to the Manfrotto 680b for the quick release twist legs, helps me get up n down much quicker..

MajesticMomentsPhoto wrote in post #15088377
I also own the RRS Mono, but for Football or similar field sports, I switch to the Manfrotto 680b for the quick release twist legs, helps me get up n down much quicker..

I have the 680b as well. I kept the monopod attached to the 1D4/300, and used a conventional strap for the 1D3/70-200, since for some reason my Black Rapid got really messed up somehow, and I wasn't in the mood to figure it out. It worked out ok I guess, and the shots I took are here:

http://kenjancef.smugm​ug.com …l-1062012/25782284_zdtfv​5

Figured I drop the link, just in case if people didn't want to see the pics in this post.

Thanks all for the help!!