Actually, I am using a 70-200mm 2.8, so I try to always shoot it mounted from the tripod collar. I don’t always change my lenses the same way, so I will try to get into a groove doing it the way you describe.

The regular bracket makes sense the way you describe it. I like using the L bracket because I do a lot of interior shots where I want a vertical and horizontal from the exact same location. Thanks for your response!

Chris

I think you will get used to and begin switching between the two lenses the more often that you do it. If you are using the 70-200 f4 lens you could get away with attaching the lens to your camera and keeping the camera attached via the L bracket. The benefit to using the collar and bracket on the lens is that it is much more stabile and will allow sharper images in low light situations. At times, when timing is of the essence I will just attach my f4 lens without a collar, but since I am typically using slow shutter speeds with my tripod, I want every advantage to sharpness available to me. The quickest way I have found to switch out my lenses is to keep the camera body attached to my tripod pull the wide angle, attach the telephoto, then move the whole assembly to the tripod collar of the larger lens. This way you are not fumbling with additional equipment while making the switch. If going from the telephoto do everything in reverse, move the camera to the L bracket, remove the lens…

Not using an L bracket is just a matter of weight savings. It is also faster to just drop my bullhead into the vertical position instead of removing and remounting the camera. Time is typically fleeting when shooting outdoors so not missing the shot is far more important than having a composition line up in the vertical and horizontal positions.

Cheers,

Jay Goodrich

I have been following this thread for quite a while now and I keep checking back. I have switched my lens setup based on your recommendation from centering around a 24-105mm to now having a 17-40mm and a 70-200mm. I love this combination and have not missed the range in between, but I have one issue. It takes me quite a while to switch between these lenses. Not only do I need to change the lenses, but when using the 17-40mm, the camera L plate attaches to my tripod. When using the 70-200mm I attach the tripod collar on the lens to the tripod. Do you have any recommendations?

And why don’t you use an L plate rather than a single plate for your camera?

I love everything that you do and just noticed you will be in Chicago in May. I hope to be there.

Chris

Thank you for the great questions and detailed observations. My polarizer is typically mounted this is true, but not always. I find that it works great at 90 degrees to the sun but also to take the sheen off of leaves in the forest, so in most cases it is there. In regards to your other question, I do sometimes help the lens out if the subject is extremely close or extremely far out. I have found that this just gets rid of any hesitation the lens might have and then allows me to track with the auto focus from there. Hope this helps!

Best,

Art

Thank you very much for the compliments. I currently use the P size because they are easier for me to use when handholding them in front of my lens. And I use both Singh-Ray and Lee Glass filters in the 2 and 3 stop hard gradation.

Cheers,

Art

I use Aperture Value with Evaluative Metering the most. Sometimes, depending on lighting situations, I will switch to Spot Metering and Manual but for 95% of the images that I make I shoot in the aforementioned.

Cheers,

Art

Regards and thanks for the great shows.

Michael
Seville, Spain

What size ND filters do you prefer, P size or 4″x6″?

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm!
Andre