Hand-holding a 300/2.8

[mercphoto]

I just bought a Canon 300/2.8 to shoot football (hey, if it doesn't work out, the re-sale is very high). And I am slowly becoming adjusted to shooting on a monopod, but I tried hand-holding recently. The lens is heavy, but I can do it, that's not my problem. My problem is where to rest my left hand?

I found my hand wanted to be right on top the manual focus ring, and that is a problem because the lens is full time manual focus. It is just too easy to slightly twist the ring and throw the focus off just enough to cause havoc. If I moved my hand a bit closer to the camera body then the balance felt too front heavy. I'm not sure what to do, but I know people on this list do hand-hold this lens. What is your technique?

[pathfinder]

How about the lens tripod foot? I have a large plate from RRS on my tripod foot and just put my hand there :dunno Or I hold the lens closer to the camera body than the focusing collar I guess. My 300 is usually paired with a 2x extender though

[ian408]

Rotate the lens collar so that the foot is on top. Then hold the lens where the
foot was. It's tight but does work.

On the pod, I will often guide the lens with my hand on the shade.

Ian

[Andy]

Rotate the lens collar so that the foot is on top. Then hold the lens where the
foot was. It's tight but does work.

On the pod, I will often guide the lens with my hand on the shade.

Ian


http://williams.smugmug.com/photos/19223462-L.jpg