1D Mark IIN: Too heavy for soccer?

I shot a soccer game Wednesday with my new (used) Mark IIN and found it tiring to hold camera up with right hand while working zoom lens with left hand. Problem is compounded by need to keep thumb on * button and forefinger on shutter button.

Is there a wrist strap that will take some of strain off my right arm and hand?

Or should I put camera on a monopod?

How do other Mark II shooters handle this situation?

What lens did you use?

A monopod would probably help. Also, using your left hand/arm to hold the lens to alleviate the weight of the camera and lens.

I handheld a 1DmkII with a 300f4 mounted to it all day on the golf course. Get a monopod if its too heavy.

nphsbuckeye wrote in post #8582682
What lens did you use?

A monopod would probably help. Also, using your left hand/arm to hold the lens to alleviate the weight of the camera and lens.

I used my trusty 100-300mm Canon lens. Sorry I didn't mention it in original post.

Problem with monopod is that it becomes difficult to react to a fast-paced game, particularly if one wants to re-orient camera for a vertical shot when players get too close for horizontal.

Have your arms and elbows against your body so they can use the body as support, instead of your elbows pointed outward. You probably don't need to hold your camera up the whole time. You could always no tighten the tripod ring to quickly change orientation. Pump iron..

I would agree that some weight training is certainly going to help. The Mark II + 100-300 is not terribly heavy and shouldn't be.
That said, rest as often as possible and keep your elbows in which will utilize more of your body versus just your arms.
But seriously, start some strength training and DON'T FORGET YOUR CORE!

Ralpho wrote in post #8582727
Problem with monopod is that it becomes difficult to react to a fast-paced game, particularly if one wants to re-orient camera for a vertical shot when players get too close for horizontal.

It's all a matter of practice, monopod for 300-400mm 2.8 len's and 70-200 handheld.... seemples

If I had a long day in school and needed to shoot sports after that in the late afternoons, I'd definitely mount my setup (70-200 2.8L IS + camera) on a monopod with a tilt head. I just don't like holding the entire setup when I'm tired.

If I am fresh and had a good night's sleep before that, though, the 70-200's no problem.

I would say that you probably should make sure your handholding technique is proper first. If you know it's proper, then by all means get a monopod and a 234RC tilt head to aid you.

Cheers,
Zexun

Cl!ckFoto wrote in post #8582700
I handheld a 1DmkII with a 300f4 mounted to it all day on the golf course. Get a monopod if its too heavy.

monopod is the way to go!

Headshotzx wrote in post #8583156
If I had a long day in school and needed to shoot sports after that in the late afternoons, I'd definitely mount my setup (70-200 2.8L IS + camera) on a monopod with a tilt head.

Cheers,
Zexun

Isn't the lens collar mount sufficient to attach the monopod to ? Why a tilt head ?

I use a monopod and the tripod collar to go vertical when necessary. I don't use a tilt head in the equation unless i'm going up and down repetitively. At a soccer game, I get on one knee, use the monopod and click away.

And yes, a wrist strap will help a lot in terms of relieving strain on your fingertips if you're not using a monopod. I have a couple of the Camdapterstraps and love them.

Dave

LMP wrote in post #8583356
Isn't the lens collar mount sufficient to attach the monopod to ? Why a tilt head ?

Because 100-300mm allows him to zoom out when the players come close and that usually means tilting down a little. He's having problems handholding his setup, and if he only gets a monopod without a tilt head, he might solve the weight / unsteadiness issue but end up having back strain especially when the players are near to where he's shooting all the time.

Don't use the * button on the back. Just pump the shutter button.

You don't have to keep the monopod firmly on the ground the whole time.

When I'm out stalking aircraft I use a monopod with a 300mm f/2.8 and I'll just pick the entire thing off the ground to tilt up and shoot (and yes, I have a ballhead on mine too.)

The thing with the monopod is it takes the weight entirely off between shots. If I can get the shot while the 'pod is touching the ground, great. If not? No biggie...