Bushhawk Question?

[chezem]

I need to know what the largest size lens that could be managed on a 'Bushhawk' would be. If anyone who uses or has used a bushhawk know, I'd be interested in your opinions. I need to buy a longer lens. I currently use a 70 - 200 L IS, a 400 f5.6 L and a 100 -400 L and I can manage all of these but I'm a bit concerned that the 500 or 600, while they may fit, may be impracticle to use. I've ordered a 300mm f2.8 L which I presume will fit but maybe too heavy. Any thoughts? What about the 400 f2.8L? Too heavy?

Cheryl

[Mao]

Hi Cheryl.

I've used the 500 and 300 mm. on the bushhawk and it worked great. Now, my advice to you is, use it only in a pinch.

I had the 500 mm. mounted on it constantly until the day I brought it up and the lens just folded down on to my chest. Luckily I had the lens strapped around my neck or it would have been in pieces.

The joint where the brace comes back to the shoulder and forms the pivot is NOT strong. I've seen two others break at the exact same spot.

It's a great product but I don't believe it's made to carry the weight of the super telephotos. If you do want to use it, I'd recommend you get a machine shop to manufacture a new piece for that joint.

Rather than complain to Bushawk (I know it is the weight), I've just stopped using any devices, I'll brace it on my knee, my camera bag, etc. I would quit photography if I ever dropped one of my super telephotos.

Hope this answered your question.

[Harv]

Cheryl, I use mine primarily with my 400/5.6L but have used it successfully with my 300/2.8L IS. I personally feel the 500/4L IS and the 400/2.8L IS would be too heavy for it. For that matter, I personally feel those two lenses are too heavy for hand held shooting anyway unless you're a weight lifter.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

[Rudi]

Cheryl, the 400/2.8 is HEAVIER than the 600/4! Just FYI... :)

[chezem]

Thanks Mao and Harv. I'll be careful of that joint Mao. I might see if I can get something stronger made just as a precaution. I don't always use that piece that goes back to the shoulder. I've often got it out. Seems that when I'm using it the eye piece seems to be a little more difficult to get square on. Maybe because I'm short but I'm having reasonable success without having to use it all the time. I half suspected that bigger than what I've got will be a tripod only job. That means that I will need to buy a new tripod with whatever I decide on as my Gitzo 1257 will not be good carrying the extra weight. OMG I might end up with as many tripods as Perry. LOL. I'm trying to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages between the 500 and the 600. Not an easy job except that I think that more shooters own a 600 than a 500 and there are probably good reasons for that.

Thanks guys. I value your opinions. :cheer:

[chezem]

Thanks Rudi, I know you are right. Anything heavier than the 300 looks like its out. Like your new avatar btw. :cheer:

Cheryl, the 400/2.8 is HEAVIER than the 600/4! Just FYI... :)

[Rudi]

That means that I will need to buy a new tripod with whatever I decide on as my Gitzo 1257 will not be good carrying the extra weight.

Maybe you should have got some GOOD advice before buying that tripod, Cheryl... rolleyes; :biglaugh:

BTW, if it was MY money, I'd go for the 500 - it's just more practical. The 400/2.8 and 600/4 are just too heavy, and are dedicated tripod lenses, IMO.

[chezem]

Rudi,

Didn't good advice get me into trouble last time. roflmao;


Maybe you should have got some GOOD advice before buying that tripod, Cheryl... rolleyes; :biglaugh:

[pcho]

Rudi,

Didn't good advice get me into trouble last time. roflmao;

Yes Cheryl, you must never ever get advice from strangers:cheer::cheer:

....and I agree with Rudi, 500mm is the way to go as the 400mm2.8 and 600mm is far too heavy. In fact I did not use my 600mm very much for that reason. However the 500mm is a different scenerio, it is very much lighter and well balanced and I love using it. If I have to choose again I would not have bothered with the 600 especially for BIF photography but you better get a second opinion:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

[Mao]

Maybe you should have got some GOOD advice before buying that tripod, Cheryl... rolleyes; :biglaugh:

BTW, if it was MY money, I'd go for the 500 - it's just more practical. The 400/2.8 and 600/4 are just too heavy, and are dedicated tripod lenses, IMO.

If you would like a third advice Chery, buy the 500.

I traded my 500 for the 1DMKIII because I wanted more reach. Got the Sigmonster and absolutely love it. Only problem is, it's HEAVY and even mounted on the tripod, it just ain't practical for BIF's.

I had to go out and buy another 500.

You just can't go wrong with it Cheryl.

[pcho]

If you would like a third advice Chery, buy the 500.

I traded my 500 for the 1DMKIII because I wanted more reach. Got the Sigmonster and absolutely love it. Only problem is, it's HEAVY and even mounted on the tripod, it just ain't practical for BIF's.

I had to go out and buy another 500.

You just can't go wrong with it Cheryl.

Mao don't confuse her :biglaugh:

I am gald you like your 500mm. In fact I find my 600mm was a deterrant for me to go out shooting and I was making all sorts of excuses. The real reason was its weight, ok I better get back to my gym work:biglaugh:

Perry

[Rudi]

Yes Cheryl, you must never ever get advice from strangers:cheer::cheer:

....and I agree with Rudi, 500mm is the way to go as the 400mm2.8 and 600mm is far too heavy. In fact I did not use my 600mm very much for that reason. However the 500mm is a different scenario, it is very much lighter and well balanced and I love using it. If I have to choose again I would not have bothered with the 600 especially for BIF photography but you better get a second opinion:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

IIRC, you may have gotten some advice to that effect, before you bought the 600mm! rolleyes; Now, who was that advising you? I can't remember... ;) :biggrin:

[Ak Photos]

I agree. I love my 500. I got the older one, the F4.5 that is about 2 pounds lighter than the F4 IS, and those 2 pounds add up fast if your walking in sand, or uphill at all! Good Luck, and get a 500mm, they rock!

[chezem]

Yes. Perry. I have learnt my lesson. I'll definitely be careful of advice from strangers. Particularly from those South of the border. If you're not using that 600mm then you could always send it up North. Rudi and I could put it to good use. LOL :cheer:

Yes Cheryl, you must never ever get advice from strangers:cheer::cheer:

....and I agree with Rudi, 500mm is the way to go as the 400mm2.8 and 600mm is far too heavy. In fact I did not use my 600mm very much for that reason. However the 500mm is a different scenerio, it is very much lighter and well balanced and I love using it. If I have to choose again I would not have bothered with the 600 especially for BIF photography but you better get a second opinion:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

Thanks Mao. I appreciate your opinion. I'm definitely going for the 500mm. Thanks.

If you would like a third advice Chery, buy the 500.

I traded my 500 for the 1DMKIII because I wanted more reach. Got the Sigmonster and absolutely love it. Only problem is, it's HEAVY and even mounted on the tripod, it just ain't practical for BIF's.

I had to go out and buy another 500.

You just can't go wrong with it Cheryl.

Perry. Now you leave Mao alone. He's not confusing me at all. In fact he makes damn good sense. :cheer:

Mao don't confuse her :biglaugh:

I am gald you like your 500mm. In fact I find my 600mm was a deterrant for me to go out shooting and I was making all sorts of excuses. The real reason was its weight, ok I better get back to my gym work:biglaugh:

Perry

Yep. I agree Rudi. Big on giving advice. Not always great on talking it. LOL

IIRC, you may have gotten some advice to that effect, before you bought the 600mm! rolleyes; Now, who was that advising you? I can't remember... ;) :biggrin:

Thanks Kevin. I think the 500mm will do me nicely. :cheer:

I agree. I love my 500. I got the older one, the F4.5 that is about 2 pounds lighter than the F4 IS, and those 2 pounds add up fast if your walking in sand, or uphill at all! Good Luck, and get a 500mm, they rock!

[Camera Hunts]

I need to know what the largest size lens that could be managed on a 'Bushhawk' would be. If anyone who uses or has used a bushhawk know, I'd be interested in your opinions. I need to buy a longer lens. I currently use a 70 - 200 L IS, a 400 f5.6 L and a 100 -400 L and I can manage all of these but I'm a bit concerned that the 500 or 600, while they may fit, may be impracticle to use. I've ordered a 300mm f2.8 L which I presume will fit but maybe too heavy. Any thoughts? What about the 400 f2.8L? Too heavy?

Cheryl

Hi Cheryl, I use a BushHawk 100% of the time with my Bigma lens and never had any kind of problem.

I contacted BushHawk about my new BushHawk for my Canon 500mm and told them my concern about the weight and the weak spot.

They told me they are now using Nylon not ABS which is much stronger. They also offer a straight rod "thingie" for extra heavy lenses. When mine gets here I will take a photo of it and post it so you can see what they are talking about.

[chezem]

Thanks Roger. I'd be interested to see a photo of the new piece. :cheer:

[Camera Hunts]

I expect it to be here Wednesday or Thursday and I will get some photos and post them for you.