Quote Originally Posted by NFLD Stephen View Post
Congrats on the new lens purchase! A new lens is always fun!

Don't want to hijack the thread, but you mention carrying around the 600 on birding walks. Just curious how you (and others) would use these large lenses on-the-go. Do you bring a tripod or monopod? Shoot any handheld as birds present themselves or do you have to take the time to setup a tripod every time a bird is spotted? For perspective, the largest lens I have is the 100-400 II so I'm curious about the logistics of the larger lenses. It would seem to me that if you are walking and looking for birds, that by the time you could setup a tripod to get a good shot, most birds would be moving again...?
How I carry/use the 600 II depends on the season. I really only use a tripod/gimbal in winter, when shooting eagles or snowy owls – in those cases, I'm heading to a spot, setting up, and waiting...and waiting...and waiting. Outside of winter raptor shooting, I walk/hike and carry the lens on a BlackRapid strap (the left handed one, ever understood the point of a lefty strap for a camera, but it makes perfect sense for a supertele where you need to lift/hold with the left hand to shoot with the right). I have a monopod along in case I'll be staying in one spot for a while. This is me, from a while back on a blustery day at Sachuest Point in Rhode Island...