Safari Truck - Monopod or Handheld

Will be in an open safari truck (bean bags wont work) with wife and probably a few more folks so wondering whether a investment in a carbon fiber monopod is worth it in this situation?

I have seen clamp of all sorts that clamp onto the bar in front of where you sit but that seems very limited as well as all sorts of other options $$$$$$.

One option is get a basic monopod the other a monopod with small feet that flip out both with a ball head of some sort? These feet might also hinder your ability to flip from one side of the truck to the other quickly?

Hope some one has had this experience and can suggest a reasonable priced solution. I already have a Manfrotto 468MGRC2 https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …Hydrostatic_Bal​lhead.html

I always use IS off when using a tripod and am I correct in turn this off on a monopod as well? I plan to use the new Canon 100-400 IS lens / 5D MK4

For the lens, I personally wouldn't bother with a monopod unless its weight is going to be an issue for you when you're out shooting for hours. If you still desire a monopod, then I wouldn't get the bottom flip-out feet which is more designed for video than photography. It just adds weight and cumbersome in a crowded or tight spaces.

If Gitzo is too much $$$-wise, you might want to look at some of Sirui monopod options. For monopod, I wouldn't use a ball head. A tilt head is better for birding and wildlife, and contrary to conventional wisdom of many folks on this forum, I really recommend a tilt head WITH the panning base. What you end up then is essentially a monopod with a gimbal head, the most ideal set up for birding and wildlife. Of course, you DON'T need a panning feature in a head for monopod since you can simply accomplish the same by physically twisting the monopod side to side. However, I found it's whole lot better panning than physically twisting and it's so much smooth just as with a gimbal head. There's also less likelihood of wearing out the monopod rubber or losing the spike foot from constant twisting motion.

If you do decide to go with a tilt head, then I'd recommend Sirui L-10, which is without the panning base, and if you want to go with the panning base, then Sirui L-20S, which is what I use.

You have a fantastic lens and a camera. I wouldn't go cheap on their support system, be it a monopod or a tripod. I wasted a whole lot of money over the years by prioritizing "economical" solution ahead of expensive but quality solution. Now, I'm opposite because I figured out it's cheaper in the long run. I've recently completed what I think is my personal quest for the perfect monopod set up for birding and wildlife, and I cannot be happier: https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=1492​670&page=2

Never been on Safari so take this with a pinch of salt!

With a camera and lens like yours I wouldn't bother with support when in a truck. Firstly do they turn off the engine? If not then a monopod (or similar) will transmit the vibration to your camera. Secondly no support allows much more freedom of movement in case you have to get onto a subject very quickly or shoot around another photographer.Your combination is pretty light, I use the same lens with a 1DX, and is very hand hold-able for quite extended periods - gives nice images too!

I would suggest turning IS off altogether unless you are really struggling for shutter speeds (I don't use it at all) as it will allow your AF to function better.

Just food for thought?

I've been on a couple of Safari's and in fact will be going again the middle of May.

Would never dream of bringing a tripod with me in a Safari vehicle. There is just no way to make that work. There just is no room and things happening way too fast to be that methodical.

i-G12 wrote in post #18616689
Would never dream of bringing a tripod with me in a Safari vehicle.

Neither is the OP.

SYS wrote in post #18616692
Neither is the OP.

A monopod would be just as cumbersome IMO with very little positive results. I have the same lens.

Not sure why a beanbag is not doable. I've used one before in Safari vehicles in Africa.

A: Keep IS ON for use with monopod.

B: I agree that a monopod would NOT be a good choice for your situation and gear. Hand held with IS will be far more flexible.

i-G12 wrote in post #18616753
...

Not sure why a beanbag is not doable. I've used one before in Safari vehicles in Africa.

Some of the larger vehicles are so open that there is literally no where to rest a lens/beanbag. I'm guessing this is the case here.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18616798
Some of the larger vehicles are so open that there is literally no where to rest a lens/beanbag. I'm guessing this is the case here.

Then he's going in the wrong vehicle(s) ... lol

On our two safaris in South Africa we were in open trucks that has rails and plates where you could pile up one or more of the provided bean bags. The safaris in Kenya were in Land Cruziers where we had bead bags made like a horse saddle. The bags laid in the window opening, part inside and part outside. You can put a regular bean bag on top of the saddle one as needed. There were also bean bags on the roof top around the opening.

If there is no place for bean bags, it does not sound like a proper safari truck, especially one for photographers.


https://www.wild4photo​graphicsafaris.com …ler-kenya/photo-equipment

A quick google images of "Safari Vehicles" the 2nd image shows a very common one that I have seen on every trip I have taken to Africa in pretty much every one of the larger parks. They look like the bars are too low to be useful with a bean bag to me.
https://cdn-images.go2africa.com …058/activities-131034.jpg

https://africageograph​ic.com …afari-vehicle-leopard.jpg

That said there are also these that do provide a spot for bean bag;
http://www.baillies.co​.za …me%20Vehicle%20​Delta1.JPG

When I've gone we've rented our own, and used simple backies based on Toyota or Nissan pickup trucks. The saddle style bean bag has worked well on a power window.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18618300
https://africageograph​ic.com …afari-vehicle-leopard.jpg

LOL, love this photo with people on an expensive safari trip with point-and-shoot cameras...

SYS wrote in post #18618303
LOL, love this photo with people on an expensive safari trip with point-and-shoot cameras...

I’m surprised that nobody is using a smartphone !ߘ

One safari under my belt and many years ago in Kenya.

I would suggest that both methods will prove useful. We had many an opportunity when our vehicle got very close to animals, and then stopped. The monopod was then useful with some care as there was some vehicle motion as people moved about to angle for a shot. Then of course while the vehicle was in motion, sometimes at slow speeds following a herd, you had to hand hold.

By the way check with your safari operator as to what may be available. Many do provide bean bags and some even have monopods. The one we used had a huge amount of equipment available. There were window clamps, bean bags, monopods, some filters (not in the best conditions, even some tripod for sunrise/sunset shots.

On the IS question, I would leave it on for both methods. It is turned off on a tripod shot because of the near total lack of motion. You won't have that in most of your shots. Think Long lens.

SYS wrote in post #18618303
LOL, love this photo with people on an expensive safari trip with point-and-shoot cameras...

It is difficult for us photographers to conceive of this but, there are some folks who go on safari just to SEE the animals. Bringing home images is totally scondary.

However, my son-in-law who had never used a camera since his last Kodak 126 Instamatic (He has shot everything with his cell phone) went on safari and used a Canon SX-50 HS. The results were not at all bad!

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …/O/i-fzWgFh4.jpg&lb=1&s=A

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …/O/i-VrtZcKd.jpg&lb=1&s=A