Finding the subject with a long telephoto lens
 

Hi all,

I am using the EX3 with a few Nikon still lenses. Very happy with the results.
Is there a way to make it easier to find the subject when using long lenses? It takes too long and I often miss the action by the time I manage to get the subject in the viewfinder.

I was thinking to attach a wider angle device on the lens like a small binocular or monocular which will be pre-adjusted so when something is in the centre it will also be seen through the telephoto lens.

Has anyone tried this? Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ofer Levy Nature Photographer

Hi Ofer,

I know some on here use a Ronsight that usesd to be available from Ronsrail but I don't think he is any longer in buisness. I may be worth doing a search of Ronsrail on google you may come up with a photo. I also believe Per uses one, but he hasn't been around on here lately, but a check of his site may help.


regards

Mick

Thanks Mick !
Since this device is no longer available I will need to find an alternative.

Couple of ideas - Press cameras had a wire frame and a small fold-up eyepiece to view through; you could fashion a pair of wire pointers, sort of like a gunsight. Astronomers use an inexpensive device called a Telrad, which might be usable in daylight; it uses a beam splitter to project a target into the field of view. A rifle scope might be another possibility.

I know a few people that used to use a bit of wire as Jim described, lined up so that it coincided with the view from the lens, but I never thought it worked very well. No doubt about it, there is no substitue for having a zoom that you can rack out and back in again. Even my Canon 150-600 is a big help, as though it's only a 4x zoom range, you do of course get 16x the area at the wide end as at the tight end. But the big HJ40 and other long broadcast zooms are even better for this. Tricky.
Steve

....Same issue. I've been working with skydivers recently on cheap video Grips, and while standing on the ground - I've tried to capture their landings with two different small HD cams. Bullsh_t ...NO WAY I am able to find them on those stoopid little wing-screens. I hate those things...

I made a an aluminum hood - to shade from bright Sun and water reflection - when shooting my friends kitesurfing ..but they were easy to capture because they moved - predictably - laterally along the horizon. These skydivers come in from different angles at different speeds.

I'll make up a Gun Sight like they used on WW1 biplanes .. and post it when I have something. Thanks for reminding me.

Jim

Thanks for your input guys.

When I compare the image quality I get with my Nikon prime lenses with the quality I get using the Nikon zoom lens - there is no way I am going to use a zoom lens.

I will look into the suggestions try some options and will post my impression soon.

Cheers,

Ofer

Hi Ofer
I mounted a Red Dot scope on the accesory shoe on my XL1 which works fairly good. I have to tilt my head over to look thru it but having a long eye relief and being only 1x you can pick the subject up quickly.
I'm really interested in the EX3 for wildlife. The XL1 is getting a little old.


Gordon

What zoom are you using Ofer? Things like the Nikon 50-300 ED, Sigma 120-300 etc. are all very good and comparable to primes for video work. Also the Sigma 300-800 is meant to be excellent, but rather large! Or if you really want to be crazy how about the Sigma 200-500 f2.8, weighs about 17kg I believe!

Steve

Thanks Steve,

I use the Nikon 50-300 ED. It is very nice but I can see the difference when using one of the prime lenses - in all aspects.

Ofer,
Your suggestion of a monocular device aligned with the lens is exactly what I have been doing for years. It works perfectly. Try it.

Hi Steve,
This is great news ! Thank you for sharing! Please can you share some details as to what model/specifications of monocular and how you mount it on the lens.

Thanks again,

Ofer

I film lots of birds in flight and what works for me is finding the birds early and in the lowest zoom setting to get them centered in the frame. After I have located them I zoom in to the max and track them, recording when they are finally in range. My FX-1 has a very slow autofocus, especially in dim light or with small fast birds, and I miss lots of opportunities. If you have this capability with your setup you might give it a try.
Dale

Thanks for your input Dale! What I am trying to sort out is how to do this with a fixed focal length lens rather than a zoom. I think the monocular idea should work as Steve suggested.

There may be one RONSIGHT available at ZGC. Contact chris@zgc.com tell her Ron sent you!

ronlarmstrong@msn.com
Previoulsly RONSRAIL

Hi

All the Red or green dot works well, like "Aimpoint" or others, you have to mount it on the accesory shoe

Hi Ofer,

It's an old-fashioned 4X rifle scope with cross hairs, the kind hunters use. I have it mounted next to the XLH1 on a piece of plywood (which is fitted with a standard 1/4" screw camera mount for the XLH1). The whole thing is mounted on a tripod. Cumbersome and very heavy but it works.

Thanks Steve!

Just wondering what is the benefit of using this device over a light weight simple monocular that will be mounted by a flexible "leg" on the camera for easy access.
Thanks again Steve !

Ofer,
Only two advantages. Stability, and I can mount the monoccular along side of the camcorder instead of on top of it (as with the hot shoe). Easier to shift gaze from the monocular for subject finding, and the viewfinder for focusing. (As you know, the XLH-1) with long telephoto lenses does not allow auto focus.)

When I have the 300mm Nikkor mounted on the XL2 (effective f/l 2800mm), I use a non-magnified holographic pistol sight mounted on the accessory shoe for initial aiming. The ring-and-dot reticle matches the field of view almost perfectly. I've used the sight for following dragonflies in flight with varying degrees of success. No way to do it through the viewfinder.

Martin

sights
 

Martin,

I looked up halographic sights and they seemed rather small, perhaps it is the picture makes it look that way.

I bought a weaver mount shoe for 25 dollars or so

Photosolve Home > Products > Xtend-a-Sight and a laser dot scope,

non magnafied for 39 dollars at wal mart.

It works perfectly once you have it sighted in where you want it.

I use it on my xl2 with the 400 mm and have no problem finding anything.


As with all scopes on top or the side you will have paralax issues to some degree.

If it is on the side and the same height of the lens you only have horizontal paralax to deal with, but if it is higher as well then the paralax is on both axis'. Not a problem until you have to make a quick change in the distance of your subjects. Of course you probably get used to placement and instinct shoot at that point, eh?

The sight is an essential aid in big lenses!!! particularly with a small subject!!!

A couple of thoughts. If you use a rifle scope try mounting it backwards. You’ll get eye relief closer to that of your viewfinder’s and a wider field of view. My favorite technique involves the use of a green diode laser pointer. I’m starting a new thread on that subject.