Yes, with a little help we can accomplish what we thought we couldn’t. One of the reasons I bought a mirrorless camera was the need for a lighter camera. I could still hold my Nikon D7100, but with some lenses it was getting heavy, and I’m not getting younger. I currently use my Nikon for two types of shooting: ultra wide and telephoto.
The last time I tried shooting with my Nikon and an old prime (meaning metal casing) 300 mm, my photo buddy Ray saw I was having difficulty holding it steady. It was more than that, I couldn’t hold it steady. So, he made me a short monopod to anchor the lens.
I wanted to show him what I call the nesting trees in Lincoln and he wanted me to try out my new small, hand-held monopod, so off we went. And guess what, it worked. With just a little help from my friend I can now use a telephoto on my Nikon. If I ever get a telephoto for my Fuji, it would also help. The birds were across a small gully and a stretch for any 300 mm lens, but I was able to photograph them and really crop in.
The second bit of help also came through Ray. He let me know that Topaz was having a sale. Now I can’t resist a sale, can I? I bought Topaz Sharpen AI and DeNoise AI. I used Sharpen AI on all the birds and it was amazing.
We didn’t stay long. The egrets’ and herons’ mates were not flying back with food/nesting material. But I was able to get a shot of one flying in without branches and twigs in the way.
I’ll be going back to the nesting tree with my new monopod soon! Thank you Ray!!
Slow Shutter Speed 
These are excellent – I’m so pleased you worked out a way, with help, to be able to photograph these beautiful birds 🙂 And I’m going to look into Topaz Sharpen AI as it sounds really useful – thanks for the prompt!
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Thank you Sarah! Yes, look into Topaz Sharpen AI. I wish I had gotten it sooner.
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Nice work, Anne! Tripods and monopods are a must at times – even if they are inconvenient. I always like to travel light with as little to carry as possible, but . . .
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Thanks -N! I’m the same. Travel light. What’s nice about the monopod Ray made for me is that it’s like having no tripod at all.
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I should try mine out more.
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-N- 😊
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Beautiful birds.
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Thanks MM! They are beautiful!
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Thank you Anne
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Interesting Anne! I have a monopod that I won in some contest or other and have never once used it! I use my tripod now and then for long exposures but never thought about the monopod. Your images are beautiful so clearly a successful experiment!
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Thanks Tina! My regular monopod is was given to me by a photographer I met at an outing. He wasn’t using it. It’s a Manfroto, but heavy so I just use it occasionally. The short monopod is light weight and about 12″ closed. It’s a great tool for me when holding a heavy lens to stabilize it.
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I haven’t used my monopod yet; I’m trying out indirect means like weight training to postpone the inevitable.
Topaz looks good. So much of bird photography is done at the extreme range of whatever equipment you carry that something like that would be useful. But it is pretty expensive!
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I. J., agreed that Topaz is expensive. That’s why I jumped on the chance to buy it at a good discount, Keep a look out for discounts. It may be still on discount. Good luck.
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These egret photos are beautiful, Anne! I had a monopod, but used it only once. I rarely bring my tripod due to weight though I have two.
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Thanks Amy! I know what you mean about the tripods. I also have two and a monopod that are seldom used. This handheld monopod my friend made me is 12″ long closed, light and easy to hold/position. I’ll be testing it out again on Wednesday.
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Did you know that you can get a ball head for your monopod? I seriously considered it because I like to shoot vertically but in the end figured I’ll just use my tripod if needed.
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I do have a ball head for my normal sized monopod. This one measures 12″ closed. I can hold it up right under the lens where it gives me the most control. Thanks for the suggestion though.
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