Given that description, I see what you're doing. It's not something
I'd do... I'd use a monopod for wildlife. There's little difference
between a tripod and a monopod with regard to stability if you want
to be able to move the camera lens around freely, and a monopod is
less to carry/allows more freedom of motion.
I agree that the grip-action heads are not the right choice if that's
what you want, though... A head that allows you to put an adjustable
amount of friction in place to provide controlled movement is
definitely the way to go for this.
Godfrey
On Jan 5, 2006, at 3:56 PM, Bob W wrote:
I track and pan in different planes and find a ball head much
easier and
more convenient to deal with than a pan/tilt head. I replaced the
grip thing
with the Mannfrotto 352RC. On top of it I put an A400/5.6 lens with
a 2X
extender attached to an LX.
I then use the tripod to support the weight while viewing and
tracking game.
I adjust focus and aperture with my left hand, which is equipped
with a full
complement of fingers, so I use the thumb and forefinger on the
aperture
dial, and the other 3 fingers on the focus dial. For large changes
of focus
of course I use the whole hand.
