Will i need a grip and Monopod?

Hi all,

I am buying some lenses soon the biggest being 70-200 2.8L IS.
My body is a 30D, will i need a grip to be able to use it comfortably?

What about a Monopod would that also be necessary?

Thanks

I have a 30D
I take my monopod everywhere (love it!)
I dont think you'll need a grip, though it might be comfortable

I am still on the search for a monopod. Got top get out and actually test them, but I think a good monopod would be invaluable. My tripod weighs like a ton and is so limited as to where to take and all, a real hassle compared to a monopod, IMHO.

The 70-200L IS is quite a heavy lens - a monopod would be a very good idea. Not sure if the grip is a factor based on the lens - it just seems to be an accessory that some cant live without and some other cant seem to care about

monopod is a must... I got one about 3-4 days ago, and now it stays in my trunk.

Got the battery grip, if you plan on using the monopod all the time, you can prolly skip out on the grip, but I love mine. Might be worth your while when the camera comes off the monopod.

I feel the grip will be advisable as it seems to balance longer, heavier lenses better when hand held... Use the collar on the lens to attach it to the monopod by a quick release plate, not the grip...

I've used the 70-200 2.8 IS with a monopod. Nothing wrong with that. It works better for some applications with the monopod actually, even in more than enough light. It gives a good balance and helps you stabilize yourself.

The Opteca grip do they make one to fit the 30D or have they done the same thing as Canon and haven't bothered making one to fit the 30D and just use the 20D's

Monpods are a must have in the gear bag. But depending opn what you are shooting dictates the usage of the monopod and how good you are at hand holding. From what little experince I have shooting the AMA Superbike Race at Road Atlanta I shot the first part of the first day with a monopod and it became real cumbersome for me to pan smoothly witht he bikes. I ended up shooting hand held with my 70-200 f2.8 is lens the rest of the day and weekend. It really is not that heavy of a lens, I held and shot for about 10 hours each day.

I needed a grip for my XT + 70-200 but I don't feel the need so much for my 30D. It's only during extensive portrait orientation shooting that I kinda wish I had the grip. I have a monopod but almost never use it.

I have been using my old 80-200/2.8L (same size, but a bit lighter than the 70-200/2.8L) on my 20D now for quite some time without either a grip or a monopod, and it feels ok ... especially if you take the camera/lens combo by the lens barrel, it has a very nice weight distribution.

So my suggestion would be ... try it out without the grip/monopod and buy it if you feel you need it...

Best regards,
Andy

A grip will help alleviate the feeling of front heavy lenses but one of the main advantages besides extended battery power is the ability to keep your elbows in at your body when shooting vertical giving you much greater camera steadiness.

Larry Weinman wrote in post #2265890
A grip will help alleviate the feeling of front heavy lenses but one of the main advantages besides extended battery power is the ability to keep your elbows in at your body when shooting vertical giving you much greater camera steadiness.

A lens is only front heavy if you're holding the entire rig improperly.

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2265918
A lens is only front heavy if you're holding the entire rig improperly.

Please advise how to hold a "front heavy" lens?

I'm serious, I had the Tamron 28-75 2.8 on my Rebel XT and returned it, cause I was used to only having the kit lens or the 50 1.8 which are extremely light. I have bought another Tamron 28-75, and I know it isn't heavy, but there is a huge difference between it and the two I'm used to. Really want to learn proper handholding technique. I have taken many shots with my 50 1.8 at very, very slow shutter speeds and have not a camera shake problem, but not as much success with the Tamron as yet.

Bosman wrote in post #2265953
Please advise how to hold a "front heavy" lens?

I'm serious, I had the Tamron 28-75 2.8 on my Rebel XT and returned it, cause I was used to only having the kit lens or the 50 1.8 which are extremely light. I have bought another Tamron 28-75, and I know it isn't heavy, but there is a huge difference between it and the two I'm used to. Really want to learn proper handholding technique. I have taken many shots with my 50 1.8 at very, very slow shutter speeds and have not a camera shake problem, but not as much success with the Tamron as yet.

Support the lens with your left hand...instead of trying to hold it all from the camera body. The right hand should only be operating controls, not carrying a load. Of course when there's a really small lens on the front you kinda have to balance it all together with both hands.