Do you film your shots?

Theleatherman

AH member
Joined
Nov 22, 2022
Messages
39
Reaction score
17
Hi everyone,

I'm looking for advice on how people are filming their shots in the field. I use a Nikon Coolpix P900, mainly because of its incredible zoom capabilities. The image quiality at long distances is perfect for capturing detail, judging trophy size, and has actually been really helpful allowing me to confirm wheter a shot was successful, and later review and relive the moment.

Right now, i'm experimenting with a setup that mounts both the camera (Nikon coolpix p900) on a Manfrotto joystick head and a V-shaped rifle rest onto a shared bracked atteched to my primos gen 3 trigger stick.

What I like about the rpimos is the height adjustment trigger system is fast, smooth and ideal for adapting quickly to terrain or shooting position. But I've run into some issues, because the weight from the camera and the v-rest on a shared bar creates imbalance and transmits vibrations, especially under recoil. I even placed a rubber damping pad under the V rest to try and absorb some of the recoil/vibration, but even with that, the camera still shifts slightly, also because the trigger mechasnism allows slight rotational play, the camera can drift off target at the exact moment of the shot (especially if a lot of zoom is applied).

I also tried the reverse, mounting the V-rest on the tripod I use for filming. But I faced the same vibration issue, plus the added problem that the Manfrotto tripod is much slower to deploy and adjust. So right now, I often resort to carrying two separate tripods, one for the rifle and one for the camera. It works, but is heavy, slow to deploy and far from ideal, and also it is also quite common for a moving animal to move out of the camera's view when shooting.

So my question is, How do you film your shots in the field? Are there any compact, stable single-tripod systems that let you mount both the camera and rifle rest without compromising stability, speed, or video clarity?

Thanks in advance!
 
For me it helps to identify gun movement before the target clears the barrel. Also shows how well I am tracking the target and where I was pointing when the trigger is actuated. You can also identify if you have consistent timing from mount to target call. Along with our Garmin, I would say it is a helpful tool.
 
Hi everyone,

I'm looking for advice on how people are filming their shots in the field. I use a Nikon Coolpix P900, mainly because of its incredible zoom capabilities. The image quiality at long distances is perfect for capturing detail, judging trophy size, and has actually been really helpful allowing me to confirm wheter a shot was successful, and later review and relive the moment.

Right now, i'm experimenting with a setup that mounts both the camera (Nikon coolpix p900) on a Manfrotto joystick head and a V-shaped rifle rest onto a shared bracked atteched to my primos gen 3 trigger stick.

What I like about the rpimos is the height adjustment trigger system is fast, smooth and ideal for adapting quickly to terrain or shooting position. But I've run into some issues, because the weight from the camera and the v-rest on a shared bar creates imbalance and transmits vibrations, especially under recoil. I even placed a rubber damping pad under the V rest to try and absorb some of the recoil/vibration, but even with that, the camera still shifts slightly, also because the trigger mechasnism allows slight rotational play, the camera can drift off target at the exact moment of the shot (especially if a lot of zoom is applied).

I also tried the reverse, mounting the V-rest on the tripod I use for filming. But I faced the same vibration issue, plus the added problem that the Manfrotto tripod is much slower to deploy and adjust. So right now, I often resort to carrying two separate tripods, one for the rifle and one for the camera. It works, but is heavy, slow to deploy and far from ideal, and also it is also quite common for a moving animal to move out of the camera's view when shooting.

So my question is, How do you film your shots in the field? Are there any compact, stable single-tripod systems that let you mount both the camera and rifle rest without compromising stability, speed, or video clarity?

Thanks in advance!
I don't film shots in the field. It sounds mildly ridiculous. Filming a hunt which would contain shots at game is another thing entirely.
 
If you can get setup in 10 seconds or less, it's doable. Unless shooting very long range, that may be about as much time as you'll have to take a shot. Having said that, agree, hire a cameraman that's good. I've seen some so called professional videos of African hunts that were painful to watch, poor editing with good views of feet walking, the ground, surrounding bush, etc.
 
I don't know why you want to film every shot but there are cameras designed for that.





A few years ago a guy had a Go Pro mounted on his shotgun shooting sporting clays. He got excellent results!

There are also digital rifle scopes that record shot video.

For hunting any game that is prone to move, your CoolPix setup is inadequate. Nikon's mirror less cameras can track subjects. Mounted on a powered gimbal, they can track a subject with exceptional accuracy! These are designed for selfie videos such as dancing and so on. For a hunter, the camera must first lock on the animal target. Would a hunter have time to lock the focus on their game?
 
Last edited:
I was wondering if anyone has ever used one of these. It mounts to the scope, so does not affect barrel harmonics. When I was instructing, I thought it would be helpful to have something so I could see what the shooter sees through the scope, to help coach on aim points, flinching, etc. I just don't want to spend the money if it's not worth it:

 
I don't know why you want to film every shot but there are cameras designed for that.





A few years ago a guy had a Go Pro mounted on his shotgun shooting sporting clays. He got excellent results!

There are also digital rifle scopes that record shot video.

For hunting any game that is prone to move, your CoolPix setup is inadequate. Nikon's mirror less cameras can track subjects. Mounted on a powered gimbal, they can track a subject with exceptional accuracy! These are designed for selfie videos such as dancing and so on. For a hunter, the camera must first lock on the animal target. Would a hunter have time to lock the focus on their game?
I’ve used these cameras for small game, but for roe deer and red deer stalking at around 200 meters, I don’t think they’re suitable. I’m not sure if there’s any option like this with that much zoom
 
I’ve tried filming a few times, but it definitely takes away from staying fully in the moment. Still, it’s great to look back on the footage later, especially when something unexpected happens.
 
When I hunted the Eastern Cape in 2022, my PH without me knowing recorded the Nyala hunt with his phone. It's about 40 seconds long, and the video and quality are amazing. I'm glad he did.

In the Kalahari, the second PH took my Go-Pro, and recorded the tracking and me shooting a Lioness. Unfortunately, the Go-Pro doesn't have a zoom, so it was hard to see the animal, but everything else was recorded and it's a great video.
 
I started recording with a small action cam mounted on my scope. It’s helped me track shots better and see what I missed or did right after the fact.
 
I started recording with a small action cam mounted on my scope. It’s helped me track shots better and see what I missed or did right after the fact.
That’s a tricky balance to find. Using an insta360.com camera for outdoor shoots made it clear how important stability is, especially with zoom. For mounting both rifle and camera, some folks use quick-release plates on a sturdy tripod with a geared head—helps with fine adjustments and reduces vibration. Carrying two tripods sounds heavy, so maybe a modular system with separate arms could help keep things balanced and fast to adjust.
 
I am trying to create a system that consists of a plate that is screwed to the bottom of the primos tripod from which comes an arm with a clamp that holds the joystick with the camera (not interfering with the opening and closing of the tripod legs). I hope with this system to avoid the vibrations of the rifle and the top of the tripod so that they do not affect the recording, and the tripod can still be used without problem, and the added weight is low.
 
My NZ guide used a simple attachment to his spotting scope and filmed with his iPhone. Quick and easy. No extra help needed. I had a great time on this hunt and great interaction with this young guide… We laughed a lot! I smile when I watch these videos.








We did a few interviews too. Which was interesting. They capture the moment right after the shot….

Probably could do some editing, but overall I’m happy with the results.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
61,258
Messages
1,339,897
Members
115,047
Latest member
JanisGrims
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Sighting in rifles before the hunt commences.
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-03 at 10.13.28.jpeg
patr wrote on M. Horst's profile.
Thanks for the awesome post my friend - much appreciated, when you coming back with Tiff.
NIGHTHAWK wrote on NZ Jack's profile.
Introduce yourself Buddy…
Hello
Can anyone please give some info about the kudu broomstick trophy judging method and any tips for any species for judging
Kind regards lucas
 
Top