Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: Goodlistener on March 02, 2008, 09:42:17 pm

Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Goodlistener on March 02, 2008, 09:42:17 pm
OK, I know.. USE A TRIPOD.  And the reason why, which is to minimize shake, and small shakes are called "vibrations". And mirror flip up on a SLR causes vibrations too.  Small ones, but picture quality robbing ones.

I see some photographers using cable release mechanisms, so they don't push the shutter button and cause shake that way.  Sometimes I use mirror lock, but only on a tripod and most likely after a few test shots to kind of check stuff out.

Can I have comments or opinions on this technique please?  What I plan to do is to use the mirror lock-up function to minimize small vibrations in the camera for the most part AND to use the 10 second self-timer so that whatever shake comes from pushing (I should say gently squeezing) the shutter release has time to die out.  The advantage  that I see for this is to avoid buying a cable release  whilst still doing everything I can think of to avoid and dampen shake/vibrations. Granted the cable releases only cost about $28 but one less thing to mess around with is kind of nice.  In other words, I'm trying to control vibration in the camera body and shake on the tripod - both of them.

Mirror lockup mode remains necessary with or without a cable release as far as I can tell. Anyway, experience or opinions on this would be most welcome. Using the 2 techniques in combination is not 100% new, but mostly I have not combined them on the majority of my landscape shots.  Maybe I should?
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Colorado David on March 02, 2008, 09:57:04 pm
A lot can change in ten seconds.  I don't know that you need that long of a delay.  I use a two second self-timer delay often and with a good tripod and head it should be sufficient.  On longer exposures, I don't lock up the mirror because the time of the mirror slap is a small fraction of the whole exposure.  I was shooting some scenes last week with an exposure of ten seconds,  I was painting my subject with light from a flashlight.  I used the self-timer but did not lock up the mirror.  Good luck.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: BernardLanguillier on March 02, 2008, 11:26:22 pm
Does your camera enable the shutter delay to take place after the mirror is locked up?

Some cameras don't.

Otherwise, here is why I think that a release cable is better:

- it looks cool and professional,
- not pushing on the camera is of course valuable in terms of vibrations, but it also prevents small shifts of composition when you shoot on top of soil that is not 100% firm,
- it is typically a lot easier to trigger a cable release with gloves on (at least in the Nikon world).

The drawback is not so much the price of the cable, as the need to manage one more piece of equipment that is likely to fail (Nikon's design for D series is especially poor because of the angle in the cable - I had 2 failling on me already).

Nowadays, I consider the cable to be a critical piece of equipment, and I carry a backup with me on extended trips.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: sojournerphoto on March 03, 2008, 08:40:08 am
Quote
OK, I know.. USE A TRIPOD.  And the reason why, which is to minimize shake, and small shakes are called "vibrations". And mirror flip up on a SLR causes vibrations too.  Small ones, but picture quality robbing ones.

I see some photographers using cable release mechanisms, so they don't push the shutter button and cause shake that way.  Sometimes I use mirror lock, but only on a tripod and most likely after a few test shots to kind of check stuff out.

Can I have comments or opinions on this technique please?  What I plan to do is to use the mirror lock-up function to minimize small vibrations in the camera for the most part AND to use the 10 second self-timer so that whatever shake comes from pushing (I should say gently squeezing) the shutter release has time to die out.  The advantage  that I see for this is to avoid buying a cable release  whilst still doing everything I can think of to avoid and dampen shake/vibrations. Granted the cable releases only cost about $28 but one less thing to mess around with is kind of nice.  In other words, I'm trying to control vibration in the camera body and shake on the tripod - both of them.

Mirror lockup mode remains necessary with or without a cable release as far as I can tell. Anyway, experience or opinions on this would be most welcome. Using the 2 techniques in combination is not 100% new, but mostly I have not combined them on the majority of my landscape shots.  Maybe I should?
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On my canon 5D mirror lock up and self timer automatically gives you a 2 second delay and mirror up at the start of the timer. So yes that works fine as long as your tripod is solid and on good ground. I used this approach a lot until I bought a remote release, which I really wanted to do long exposures using the bulb function.

Also as Bernard says, it looks cooler:)

Mike.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Steven Draper on March 03, 2008, 09:44:36 am
As in a previous post, the light, cloud positioning as well as a whole heap of other things can change in 10 seconds. I also hang a heavy weight (camera bag!) to a hook under the tripod. In strong winds and big lens I also apply downward pressure to the CoG of the camera/lens.

A cable release ensures you can capture the data at the moment you want.

Mirror lock up, can any one recall the critical shutter-speeds when this is really vital? Is it around 1/15s - 1/60s???

Finally, remember to be careful about letting light into the camera via the eyepiece. Many cameras have a "curtain" that you slide across.


Steven
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Colorado David on March 03, 2008, 10:12:59 am
Quote
Mirror lock up, can any one recall the critical shutter-speeds when this is really vital? Is it around 1/15s - 1/60s???
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178845\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

It is a fairly narrow window.  The vibration of mirror slap has to be a significant portion of the total exposure time.  I don't remember the exact speeds, but as a general rule I would use mirror lock-up between 1/2 sec. and 1/30th.  If mirror slap causes a vibration of say a 1/10th of a second, but your exposure time is :02, then the vibration is insignificant.  With film it was a more critical number to know.  Now, on a critical slow shutter speed exposure, I will review the frame and zoom in on detail to check for sharpness.  With long exposures, you're more likely to be able to repeat your shot.  If a cougar was going to walk out of the scene, never to return, you weren't going to get the shot with a slow shutter speed anyway.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Mark D Segal on March 03, 2008, 05:18:34 pm
I'd be interested in knowing who has done actual field tests with focal lengths in the range of say 105~300 mm (and what were the visible differences of results on a large print) of two options for the same scene:

(1) Tripod, cable release, mirror lock-up, and exposure delay; vs.
(2) Hand-held with IS on the lens enabled and at least 1/200th shutter speed.

Mark
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: sojournerphoto on March 03, 2008, 06:01:19 pm
Quote
I'd be interested in knowing who has done actual field tests with focal lengths in the range of say 105~300 mm (and what were the visible differences of results on a large print) of two options for the same scene:

(1) Tripod, cable release, mirror lock-up, and exposure delay; vs.
(2) Hand-held with IS on the lens enabled and at least 1/200th shutter speed.

Mark
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178917\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

There's been some work done on mirror slap, but not sure about the latter. I'm continually astounded by the lack of blur on shots from IS lenses used sensibly - or perhaps  have low standards - but I'm ususally perfectly comfortable handhodling a 300mm zoom at 1/200th and have some sharp images from my 24-105 IS at ridiculoously low shutter speeds.

Mike
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: DarkPenguin on March 03, 2008, 06:16:06 pm
Quote
Mirror lockup mode remains necessary with or without a cable release as far as I can tell. Anyway, experience or opinions on this would be most welcome. Using the 2 techniques in combination is not 100% new, but mostly I have not combined them on the majority of my landscape shots.  Maybe I should?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178767\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Camera goes on top.

Doesn't hurt to use MLU and a cable release.  If you always do it you get it when you NEED to do it.

As to the cable release vs timer.  Attaching one to a camera using a L bracket can absolutely suck.   So there is a temptation to use the timer.  This can be okay but there is nothing quite like trying to predict what the wind will be 10 seconds after you click the shutter.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Paul Sumi on March 03, 2008, 06:28:58 pm
Quote
As to the cable release vs timer.  Attaching one to a camera using a L bracket can absolutely suck.  [a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178930\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Trying to attach a cable release to a camera using a L bracket IS a major pain, so I generally use the 2 sec timer/MLU.  And I hate having to keep track of one more piece of gear that can get lost or break.

One of the few downsides to self-timer/MLU are those times you FORGET that they are set and you try to grab a quick shot requiring exact timing.  

I keep a cable release in my bag for those times when I need one.  But I haven't had to use it in nearly 2 years.  

Of course, this means I've jinxed myself and I'll need to use it all the time in Death Valley next month  
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Mark D Segal on March 03, 2008, 07:23:39 pm
Quote
I'm continually astounded by the lack of blur on shots from IS lenses used sensibly - or perhaps  have low standards - but I'm ususally perfectly comfortable handhodling a 300mm zoom at 1/200th and have some sharp images from my 24-105 IS at ridiculoously low shutter speeds.

Mike
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178924\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Me too.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Paul Sumi on March 03, 2008, 07:59:09 pm
Quote
OK, I know.. USE A TRIPOD.  And the reason why, which is to minimize shake, and small shakes are called "vibrations".
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178767\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Another reason to use a tripod not yet mentioned here is that it is a great composition tool, not just a camera support.  Especially if you are composing full-frame right to the edges.  And, there are times I just can't hand hold a camera perfectly level.  
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: daws on March 03, 2008, 08:44:42 pm
Well, FWIW, I shoot landscapes with a 5D/24-105 on a Bogen 3046 tripod and 3275 geared head. After viewfinder composition and test shots, three 5-lb. shot bags go over the 3046 crossarms. After rechecking the comp and finetuning focus with an angle finder, a 16 oz. beanbag is laid half on the 5D body and half on the lens. Then it's black gaffer's tape over the viewfinder, cable release, MLU and 5-count, in bracketed sets of three exposures; 2-count if clouds are moving.

I use a Sherpa cart (a trail-ruggedized golf cart) to haul it all around, along with the usual assortment of ancillary gear, water, sat phone, munchies, camp chair, etc.  I used to drag the laptop along, with a TV table to set it on, and shoot tethered... but it was too anal, even for me.

The advantage to all this rigmarole is it makes me slow down and think, and results in tack-sharp bracketed exposures that are (barring wind or very soft ground) in essentially perfect registration.  Anything needing faster setup, I use a monopod or shoot handheld.

The disadvantage is running into other photographers who shake their heads, and with a piteous smile, say, "Medium format."

And if you think that's compulsive, you don't want to hear my PP workflow.  

- Fred Dawson
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Paul Kay on March 04, 2008, 04:03:27 am
Quote
... mirror flip up on a SLR causes vibrations too.  Small ones, but picture quality robbing ones.

I see some photographers using cable release mechanisms, so they don't push the shutter button and cause shake that way.  Sometimes I use mirror lock, but only on a tripod and most likely after a few test shots to kind of check stuff out.

Mirror lockup mode remains necessary with or without a cable release as far as I can tell.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178767\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

My own personal way of dealing with camera motion is to utilise mirror lock-up when using the camera on a tripod and to use the self-timer function - these can be additive - ie the mirror flips up when the shutter release is tripped and then the shutter fires later. If I'm using a large, heavy tripod I tend to work on a 2s delay but for smaller more easily carriable tripods I tend to set 10s. I have also tried things like 'Overexposed' flat plates - very effective in some situations.

But the bottom line is that if you are trying to extract every last nuance of detail from your equipment then adopting a 'best practice' which works for you and your set-up will be not just a matter of determining the most effective technical solution, but also one which you can get into the habit of using whenever you think that you should do so. Cable releases are cheap enough but far to easy to leave on a mountainside (along with black lens caps) in my experience!
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Mark D Segal on March 04, 2008, 07:53:09 am
Arguing againsst tripods is like arguing against Motherhood, so I'm not going there; and for the same reason reading a bunch of posts about "why I use a tripod" doesn't advance knowledge - even though it's everyones' right to express their opinions about this as they see fit. But I'm looking for something a bit out of the box on this subject: what practical, visible difference does it REALLY make - under controlled testing conditions - whether or not one uses a tripod or relies on a steady hand and the new technology? To answer this question of course goes beyond belief, accepted wisdom and notions of "best practice". It requires doing real purposeful work analyzing the issue by doing the controlled experiments, printing the results and examining them on paper. I use a tripod when I KNOW there is no serious alternative; otherwise I get fine detail hand-holding the camera, and I find it liberates me being unencumbered to go after what I want, how I want it, on the spur of the moment. So I haven't done these tests myself, because I think I have a pretty good feel about the likely outcomes. But it's one of those things for one of these days................
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: marcmccalmont on March 04, 2008, 08:17:40 am
I recently tested these techniques and found the following:

cable release; very small improvement
MLU; small improvement with my 5D, large improvement with my 645 AFD II
Backpack hung under tripod; large improvement
Hand on camera; small improvement
Manual focus; no improvement 5D, small improvement 645 AFD II
Then I designed a vibration isolation device that is placed between the tripod and the ball head; small improvement over placing a hand on the camera

If you do all of the above; large improvement in sharpness.

Marc

645 AFD II/P30
Tripod only:[attachment=5392:attachment]
Tripod,cable release,MLU,backpack and vibration isolation device:[attachment=5393:attachment]
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Paul Kay on March 04, 2008, 12:06:02 pm
Quote
But I'm looking for something a bit out of the box on this subject: what practical, visible difference does it REALLY make - under controlled testing conditions - whether or not one uses a tripod or relies on a steady hand and the new technology? To answer this question of course goes beyond belief, accepted wisdom and notions of "best practice". It requires doing real purposeful work analyzing the issue by doing the controlled experiments, printing the results and examining them on paper. I use a tripod when I KNOW there is no serious alternative; otherwise I get fine detail hand-holding the camera, and I find it liberates me being unencumbered to go after what I want, how I want it, on the spur of the moment. So I haven't done these tests myself, because I think I have a pretty good feel about the likely outcomes. But it's one of those things for one of these days................
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=179011\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Mark

I've never tried a side by side test of handheld camera vs. tripod/MU/Self timer (cannot honestly be bothered), BUT I know that I've handheld shots which should/could have been sharper and have even taken tripod shots without the MU and self timer which could have been better. What I'd call 'best practice' is simply about ensuring the minimising of the potential for an image not to be as sharp as can be - and whilst I'd fully agree about the liberating effect of not having to use a tripod, adopting 'best practice' isn't about whether an image actually will be sharper/crisper/have more fine detail/whatever, its about ensuring that you've minimised any reason for it not to be. If you find other factors outweight this then fine!
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Mark D Segal on March 04, 2008, 12:29:42 pm
Quote
Mark

I've never tried a side by side test of handheld camera vs. tripod/MU/Self timer (cannot honestly be bothered), BUT I know that I've handheld shots which should/could have been sharper and have even taken tripod shots without the MU and self timer which could have been better. What I'd call 'best practice' is simply about ensuring the minimising of the potential for an image not to be as sharp as can be - and whilst I'd fully agree about the liberating effect of not having to use a tripod, adopting 'best practice' isn't about whether an image actually will be sharper/crisper/have more fine detail/whatever, its about ensuring that you've minimised any reason for it not to be. If you find other factors outweight this then fine!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=179067\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Regarding those "other factors", as they say - "it all depends.........". For example sometimes you can miss the shot while futzing with the tripod. There are less exreme examples as well. Sometimes one can be a prisoner of "best practice" without ever knowing what one is really sacrificing with "second-best practice". But as I said, I'm not really arguing against Motherhood - I'm just trying to elicit an exploration of more exactly what the trade-offs really are. Marc's demo is interesting in this respect - but it raises a number of interesting questions, like why the differences in processing between the two images - does that do anything to the comparison, the fact that much of the background is out of focus anyhow, whether the bushes in the foreground were being moved by even the slightest breeze in either image, etc. But it's a start to a comparative analysis which perhaps could benefit from nailing several variables a bit tighter. When this dismal weather in Toronto gives me a comfortable afternoon with the right lighting to work on my favorite testing site, I should try my hand at some of this and see what I come-up with. Sometimes we learn surprising things when we "bother" to test our assumptions!
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Paul Kay on March 04, 2008, 01:12:04 pm
Quote
Regarding those "other factors", as they say - "it all depends.........". For example sometimes you can miss the shot while futzing with the tripod. There are less exreme examples as well. Sometimes one can be a prisoner of "best practice" without ever knowing what one is really sacrificing with "second-best practice". But as I said, I'm not really arguing against Motherhood - I'm just trying to elicit an exploration of more exactly what the trade-offs really are. Marc's demo is interesting in this respect - but it raises a number of interesting questions, like why the differences in processing between the two images - does that do anything to the comparison, the fact that much of the background is out of focus anyhow, whether the bushes in the foreground were being moved by even the slightest breeze in either image, etc. But it's a start to a comparative analysis which perhaps could benefit from nailing several variables a bit tighter. When this dismal weather in Toronto gives me a comfortable afternoon with the right lighting to work on my favorite testing site, I should try my hand at some of this and see what I come-up with. Sometimes we learn surprising things when we "bother" to test our assumptions!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=179071\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Mark

I do agree to a large extent - I was basing my answer on the assumption that the question referred to 'all-in-focus lanscapes' which is what I've based my reply on. The assumptions you refer to can be tested in practice, and to give an example, I use 1DS cameras which I find excellent for most of my work but which I find hand-holding tricky, though not always impossible, at low shutter speeds (~1/15s) even with wide lenses. On the other hand I also shoot with an M8 with which I find that I can achieve very acceptable images at sometimes ludicrously slow speeds as low as 1s handheld - of course neither might pass an ultra-critical test but for what I am doing some images are fine. So why can I do this? Well I suspect that the answer lies more in the fact that I actually tried rather than anything else - I'm sure that it could be argued that one is lighter, one has no mirror, etc., etc.. But bottom line is that I tried. Whenever feasible though I'll use a tripod!
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Mark D Segal on March 04, 2008, 01:47:38 pm
Paul, fair enough.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: marcmccalmont on March 04, 2008, 02:09:19 pm
Quote
Regarding those "other factors", as they say - "it all depends.........". For example sometimes you can miss the shot while futzing with the tripod. There are less exreme examples as well. Sometimes one can be a prisoner of "best practice" without ever knowing what one is really sacrificing with "second-best practice". But as I said, I'm not really arguing against Motherhood - I'm just trying to elicit an exploration of more exactly what the trade-offs really are. Marc's demo is interesting in this respect - but it raises a number of interesting questions, like why the differences in processing between the two images - does that do anything to the comparison, the fact that much of the background is out of focus anyhow, whether the bushes in the foreground were being moved by even the slightest breeze in either image, etc. But it's a start to a comparative analysis which perhaps could benefit from nailing several variables a bit tighter. When this dismal weather in Toronto gives me a comfortable afternoon with the right lighting to work on my favorite testing site, I should try my hand at some of this and see what I come-up with. Sometimes we learn surprising things when we "bother" to test our assumptions!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=179071\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I'm pretty sure I kept all the factors the same between the 2 shots. The only difference was time the latter, was taken about 45 minutes after the first so the light was different, but the settings in the camera and C1V4 were the same. It took time to look at my initial shots and then assemble the vibration isolation device.
Marc.
PS I do get some frame to frame variance with the p30/C1 combination that I have not figured out yet. Perhaps C1 has some intelligence built in and out smarts you by making decisions without your knowledge?
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Mark D Segal on March 04, 2008, 02:44:08 pm
Quote
Perhaps C1 has some intelligence built in and out smarts you by making decisions without your knowledge?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=179093\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

You just gotta tell it who's the boss!  
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Don Libby on March 04, 2008, 05:34:12 pm
I use a tripod and shutter release combination close to 99% of the time, I also use a bubble level as well.  I find that while I’m setting up the gear I’m also setting up the image in my head checking the right angles and composition all in an attempt to capture both what I see and feel about the subject.  All this makes me slow down getting a better image.  I often take 5 to 10 minutes setting up to take one image.


don
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: theophilus on March 05, 2008, 11:05:24 pm
When Canon adds a level to the viewfinder I won't need the tripod quite as much, but I just have a bad time getting my landscape shots level when handheld.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Goodlistener on March 08, 2008, 09:40:25 am
Fred, maybe its compulsive, maybe its meticulous attention to detail, maybe its hard work and earning your results. I suspect its about results.

And Yes, your PPO workflow is a subject of interest.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: DarkPenguin on March 08, 2008, 02:07:10 pm
As an aside the advent of live view is also a nice thing to help one slow down.  Even if you only use it to double check your framing (damned non 100% viewfinders) before clicking the shutter.  It gives you that last moment to decide if that is really what you wanted.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Mark D Segal on March 08, 2008, 02:25:37 pm
Quote
As an aside the advent of live view is also a nice thing to help one slow down.  Even if you only use it to double check your framing (damned non 100% viewfinders) before clicking the shutter.  It gives you that last moment to decide if that is really what you wanted.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=180045\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

The value of all this depends on the kind of photography one is doing and the conditions of capture. Like just about everything else in this field, it depends...........
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: DarkPenguin on March 08, 2008, 02:34:35 pm
Quote
The value of all this depends on the kind of photography one is doing and the conditions of capture. Like just about everything else in this field, it depends...........
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=180049\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Clearly.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: Glenn NK on March 08, 2008, 04:24:27 pm
The attached gets quite technical and can be a bit much to read, but after perusing it, I find I use my tripod for almost anything critical.

It takes some of the subjectivity away from this topic with controlled test results.

http://markins.com/charlie/report4e6.pdf (http://markins.com/charlie/report4e6.pdf)
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: elf on March 08, 2008, 10:42:33 pm
Marc: Can you share what you're using for a vibration-isolation device?
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: marcmccalmont on March 09, 2008, 12:08:08 am
Quote
Marc: Can you share what you're using for a vibration-isolation device?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=180127\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I have in the past used vibration isolation in the design of loudspeakers (vibration isolation feet, constrained layer damping, modal analysis)  so I used some of those materials to isolate the tripod from the head (a friend machined two plates to join the tripod-vibration isolators-ball head like a motor mount. not sure how much it helps (some I think) or if there is any commercial value so I'm hesitant to say too much. I'm glad you asked though it shows that people might be interested in a small prototype run. If some one could help in designing a valid test it would help.
Marc
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: bill t. on March 13, 2008, 11:50:23 pm
When working with tripods, it useful to watch the reflections of bright objects behind you on the surface of your TFT screen.  This is an extremely sensitive indicator of vibration in the whole setup, not just from mirrors but also from wind and nearby traffic.

I use this technique for shooting panos along with mirror lockup, it never fails me and was a real lifesaver recently when shooting with a longish lens from a bridge carrying rush hour traffic.
Title: Fine Points of Using A Tripod
Post by: David Sutton on March 14, 2008, 03:06:40 am
Quote
Mirror lock up, can any one recall the critical shutter-speeds when this is really vital? Is it around 1/15s - 1/60s???

[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178845\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I was doing some indoor shots yesterday with a canon 40D and 24-105 lens and using mirror lockup and a cable release at 1 sec. Disturbed to find some horizontal blurring in all photos (though only visible at greater than 1:1 viewing). Completely cured by putting 6 encyclopaedias in the stone bag and a 2kg bean bag on top of the camera. As this is definitely not gear I intend to include in my backpack    it will be interesting to experiment with other cures. David