Camera and Lens Support for Bird and Wildlife Photography

In this video I share the camera support systems that I use for bird and wildlife photography as well as when and why I use them.

[@ericdawson3222]

Great practical advice - I will be digging out my monopod and reexamining its usefulness. Light as today’s cameras and lenses are, after hours in the field additional support would make my time with the birds more enjoyable and potentially more productive.

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@jackstutts6439]

I have all three plus a bean bag. The bean bag I use mostly in my backyard blind since it has a shelf. In the field I mostly use the monopod with the same Wemberly head you have. The tripod/gimbal setup rarely sees action. I haven't used it since last spring when I was shooting a Red-shouldered Hawk nest in my yard. I made my ground pod out of a frying pan as you mentioned. Way cheaper than the $100 those typically cost. I use it for ducks.

[@RayHennessy]

That sounds like a great setup for yourself, glad it's working out for you! Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@madone550]

So for me, I like the gimbal on the right. I find once I get things balanced, I am not adjusting things much and it gives me full access to adjust my zoom or focus of the lens. When I have the gimbal on the left, I feel it gets in the way of me making lens adjustments. Maybe it's just me...

[@RayHennessy]

That's a good point for zoom lens shooters, I only ever use a gimbal for my larger prime lenses so there isn't much to mess with the lens at all but for a zoom that makes more sense, thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.

[@NikCan66]

Very informative

[@RayHennessy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertsaunders5740]

Who makes the ground pod or is it home made? I found that a weighted long sleeve like a door draft dodger laid over a railing on a boardwalk is better than carrying tripod for birds at marshes. I am now 79Y/O and have light tremors so need my monopods and tripods. My carbon fiber tripod has a leg that comes off and now have a gimble. Thanks.

[@RayHennessy]

The ground pod is from Nature Scapes, it's plastic and super light so it works great. Nice about the tripod with the legs that come off.