First time out with a heavy lens - advice?

[greggerm]

Fencecheckers -
I hope the airshow season has treated you all well so far!

I'm gearing up for this weekend's Rhode Island show and I decided to rent a lens for the weekend. I'll be attaching the rented Canon 100-400L f4.5-5.6 to my XTi camera (with battery grip), and in my little quick test run this afternoon discovered that indeed, this really is a heavy lens!  (This is in lieu of my non-L 70-300 f4-6.6 IS)

Since this is my first outing with such a weighty monster, does anyone have any tips for making the most out of it?
I will not have a monopod - handheld is the way it's going to get done this weekend. I would think that a more massive lens might make for easier tracking of airplanes when extended out at the 300-400mm range, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. Is sheer muscle fatigue the problem?

Your tips and tricks (aside from working out at the gym) are appreciated!

See some of you at Quonset!
-Greg

[LAshooter]

I think with any heavy new lens that you aren't familiar with you will have to go through an adjustment period. If I were you I'd get out and take a few shots prior to the weekend so that you are more used to it before show time. I often use a 400mm 2.8 which weighs in at 12.5 lbs. It was a nightmare at first but after working with it for awhile I got used to it.  Have fun!

Kevin

[Clark Cook]

Since you are shooting with a Rebel XTi, make sure that you support the lens. The Rebel will not be able to handle the weight of the 100-400. Also, this lens is notorious for putting dust on your sensor. Be sure to clean the sensor after your practice shoot.

[GeoffS]

I would second Kevin's suggestion that you practice a bit.  The push-pull zoom takes a bit of getting used to, if you are more familiar with twist-zoom lenses.

With my 100-400mm I tend to hold the zoom-section in my left hand.  If I'm know I'll be changing focal-length during a pass I make sure to place my hand so it's completely on the moving section.  If I'm not expecting to zoom much I tend to hold the lens a bit more toward the camera.  That balances the weight a bit more comfortably, but I find part of my hand is on the main barrel of the lens so it's a bit harder to smoothly zoom.

Most of the weight of the camera & lens will be on your left (forward) hand.  With my arm-length/body-type I find I can brace my elbow against my chest when I'm holding the camera up in shooting position.  That helps steady the system as well as taking some of the strain off your arm.

I tend to shoot without the camera strap around my neck.  That lets you put the camera down (on your backpack or chair) between passes and rest your arms a bit.  To be honest, after a while the 100-400mm probably won't feel very heavy.  It's pretty well balanced.

If you're not using a tripod or monopod, I'd suggest removing the tripod-mount foot, or at least turning it so it faces up.  The latter gives you a half-decent grip for holding the camera/lens when you're not shooting or letting it hang from you neck (you may not want to stress the lens-mount on you camera by using the neck-strap - I haven't had any problems in four years with my 20D and two years with my 40D, but the Rebel is a bit lighter-constructed body).

Good luck!  It's a great lens.

Cheers,

Geoff S.

[DanG (m1)]

I've never handled a 100-400, but i do have a 400 4.5 (old canon). You want to have your left hand supporting most of the weight, and have it under the lens. So many times i have seen people with their elbow facing out sideways when shooting with a heavy lens and i just dont understand it! I hold my elbow as directly below the lens as i can. My right hand is really only there to push the button, change exposure settings, and balance it a little bit. Remember this isnt TV, you're not going to get a good picture by hold the camera body with both hands (laughed out loud one time when i was flicking through the channels and saw some chick on CSI or something doing that, with a long lens). Keep the shutterspeeds up, even though it has IS.

[CAVU Mark]

Camera support is the key. Elbows into your body like a tripod for the camera.  Elbows out like a bird = blurry pictures.