Bushhawk anybody?

[Nikolai]

I keep seeing the ads for the bushhawk (http://www.bushhawk.com/) device in the photo magazine ads.
I'm curious if anybody here had a first-hand experience?
The price is a bit steep, but it could be a great alternative to a monopod for a "spatial" action (like a football) shooting...
TIA!

[photodoug]

remember the old wooden gunstock (http://cgi.ebay.com/Camera-Gun-Wooden-Stock-Tripod-Mount_W0QQitemZ260030928011QQihZ016QQcategoryZ3325 QQcmdZViewItem) models? Methinks it'd be hard explain, or dangerous to use, in certain situations. At least this model looks as if it's much more customizable.

[Nikolai]

remember the old wooden gunstock (http://cgi.ebay.com/Camera-Gun-Wooden-Stock-Tripod-Mount_W0QQitemZ260030928011QQihZ016QQcategoryZ3325 QQcmdZViewItem) models? Methinks it'd be hard explain, or dangerous to use, in certain situations. At least this model looks as if it's much more customizable.

It was called "photo-gun" and "photo-hunt" when I was a kid..

I was hoping this new model is somewhat advanced compared to that "gunstock of yore" :-)

[pathfinder]

Nik,

I posted a thread about that website last year some time. It certainly looks like a useful device for smaller 400 - 500mm lenses. I do not think it will work well with a 500 F4 IS L or 600 F4 IS L or a 400 f2.8 IS L - They are just too long and too heavy for anything less than a tripod.

But for a 400 f5.6 or a Bigma, or a Tammy SP200-500 I think it might be real handy. They have remote releases available for Cannon and Nikon that fit the gunstock as well.

I came close to ordering one and then drifted on to other things. Glad to see it brought up again.

[Nikolai]

Nik,

I posted a thread about that website last year some time. It certainly looks like a useful device for smaller 400 - 500mm lenses. I do not think it will work well with a 500 F4 IS L or 600 F4 IS L or a 400 f2.8 IS L - They are just too long and too heavy for anything less than a tripod.

But for a 400 f5.6 or a Bigma, or a Tammy SP200-500 I think it might be real handy. They have remote releases available for Cannon and Nikon that fit the gunstock as well.

I came close to ordering one and then drifted on to other things. Glad to see it brought up again.

Appreciate the feedback!

[gtc]

the old novoflex follow focus stock mount-would be good for fast panning eg running wildlife,auto racing etc.agree 400mm would be about as long and heavy as you would want to go

[BigAl]

IIt certainly looks like a useful device for smaller 400 - 500mm lenses. I do not think it will work well with a 500 F4 IS L or 600 F4 IS L or a 400 f2.8 IS L - They are just too long and too heavy for anything less than a tripod.You can get away using a monopod with the big boys. I've shown this gadget before, a monpod pouch or bucket which fits on to your belt. Here it is being used with a 500mm F4 IS. Great for panning. I use it with my Bigma most of the time.
http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/71489988-M.jpg

[pathfinder]

There's a gadget that hooks over both shoulders to a waist level support for long teles also, I forget the name of the device thogh.

[gus]

Use a BushHawk here & you will get a great shot of a .40 exiting a coppers Glock if you happen to look his way.

[gtc]

That looks affective.

How well balanced are you like that?

I would be likely fall over onto something nasty!

[BigAl]

That looks affective.

How well balanced are you like that?

I would be likely fall over onto something nasty!Hey Greg, I assume your question is on my pic :wink. The easiest way to balance yourself is to assume a marksman's stance, much like the guy in my pic. What helps quite a bit is if you can find something solid to lean against - you then have stability on par with a tripod. The guy shown pulls the lens/camera into his face for stability, I pull down on the tripod mount.

Just as a point of interest, the 500 shown in the pic also has a Sigma 1.4 TC on it (700mm total). Here's a pic I took with that lens combo on my 350d, using a monopod and monopod pouch.
http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/82615191-L.jpg

A crop (http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/82615192-O.jpg) of the same pic.

[claudermilk]

You can get away using a monopod with the big boys. I've shown this gadget before, a monpod pouch or bucket which fits on to your belt. Here it is being used with a 500mm F4 IS. Great for panning. I use it with my Bigma most of the time.
http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/71489988-M.jpg

Cool! You can get that shot while pantsing yourself at the same time! :D