Keep Your Telephoto Lens Ready
Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 1:10AM 
I overheard a couple of photographers talking in the parking lot of a State Park. They both brought their "big Tamrons", but opted to leave it in the car instead of bringing it along. They went on to justify the decision with, "If I need it, I'll mozy on back".
This is a problem for several reasons.
1) To prevent theft, long lenses and expensive camera gear should NEVER be left in your car, VW Bus, Hybrid, etc.
2) The need for a super telephoto lens does not announce itself, it just happens! A bird could land nearby, a bear may appear in the distance, etc. These animals don't usually hang around, so you need to be ready. By time you "mozy on back" with your Bigma lens, your subject will likely be long gone.
3) If you can't carry it, what's the point of having the lens at all? Telephoto lenses are awesome tools, but you should be able to hike with it. Instead of a hefty 500mm f4, consider these 400mm prime and zoom options. They are all very sharp and powerful without weighing a ton. In addition, they'll fit in a photo backpack so you can stroll deep into the woods, well off the beaten path.
Later that same morning, this Red-tailed Hawk landed a few hundred feet away from me. I used the Canon 400mm to photograph it with the flowering trees in the distance. It was a glorious sign that Spring truly has arrived here in New York. While I never did see those two photographers again, I hope they're story will prevent others from making the same mistake.
Photo Instruction
Reader Comments (11)
awesome picture! great story and advice too!
Very nice shot and article! I carry mine! Actually carry two one with 100-400 on it and one with the 35-70 on it. Complain because the wife wont carry one for me. LOL Waiting for a grandson to get big enough to help me pack into the woods.
Thanks for sharing your recommendations w/ links... It's nice to read your tips and techniques!
Great shot Chris! and it's good to see you're getting some sun to enjoy now instead of more rain.
Great points, Chris!
"Big Tamrons" LOL!. I have one Tamron lens (it's not a telephoto)... I have used it a total of twice and it's dead now.
Luckily my telephoto lens is a Canon.
Ya, I know. Random.
I typically keep at least AT LEAST two lens on me. Matter of factly, I hope to create a camera bag/diaper bag combo. Since I take my kids out a lot when I go shooting (not always, but often). It's hard to take everything I need for photos plus everything I need for kids/baby. Yea it's more stuff to carry in one bag, but hey.. I need what I need and it will be easier than carrying two different bags are trying to stuff the minimum of photo equipment in my diaper bag (not to mention avoiding the risk of some baby item spilling or leaking on the stuff).
Fantastic shot! Excellet advice.
Thanks everyone! Based on a few emails I received about this post, I am considering doing a future post about the way I pack and carry my gear. Let me know if you have any specific questions related to that sort of thing and I'll try to address it as well.
I have the 70/300 mm and its just not big enough to suit me. but, now since my sons( 20 and 23) moved out HURRAY !! I might be able to get a new one this summer some time. Though i really need a new tri-pod that can stand the wind and weight not to mention the odd positions i sometimes get myself into.lol..
So Chris if you happen to have an extra Tri with a ball mount that can do 360 **SMILES** Just send it my way.. You can find my address in the student files of NYIP hahahaha...
Great advice Chris! :)
It is always better to be prepared when strolling in the woods.
Also, you should never be without your camera, even if you are simply driving the kids to school... I missed a fantastic shot of a moose last week who was standing at the road on the way to school. What a sad moment when I realized I didn't even have my cell phone!
Lesson learned. :)
Thanks for the very interesting comments and gorgeous photo! I've been in the category of both left the camera behind and happily had it with me, the latter is certainly more exciting!
I've enjoyed reading all of the positive and friendly comments and I look forward to info on how you pack and carry gear, Chris!
What a glorious sight! I love how this shot is framed naturally with branches forming a diamond shape. And beautifully ballanced -- the bird on one side, the branch on the other side, coming up to match the bird's heighth. Such symmetry, pure elegance, Chris.