Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/08/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Donal wrote: > ROB HEYMAN wrote: > Anyone have other suggestion for long exposures on the run? > > In my experience, left hand under lens, right on shutter side and both > elbows tucked in tightly, feet a bit apart and everythings solid but not > tense. snip Good advise. Let me just add that one migh want to practice extending the index and middle fingers of the left hand to support the rim of the lens. After focusing that is - stabilizes better and you cannot mess the focus then anymore. Can make the difference of nailing or not the 1/60 or 1/125 shot on 85mm with an SLR etc. > Anyway, with above recommended position and practice, 1/8 and 1/4 second > posible with Ms, especially if you shoot a lot and look for the good > one. And use a soft release button, if possible. (apparently Nikon's > for f3 works on M--recommendation from Luis Castenada who says the most > important advantage of the R8 is less vibration from mirror.) > > The best solution is a gyro, but they make a lot of noise. I do think > Canon is on to something with their stabilizer lenses. They just > weren't too bright producing pro-oriented lens that is too slow. But > someday..... > > Imagine a 35 f/1.4 and a stabilizer?? I'm doubtful about these gizmos. IMHO the most captivating low light situations tend to be either those where one can either use a tripod or where the intimacy of the situation means that any loud gyro etc. ruins the whole thing. One reason why I like old Canon F-1 is the as far as I know it is one of the very few SLR's where you can with right hand ring and little finger alone flip the mirror up. In a low light situation compose, focus and decide exposure the usual way. Then, a split second before you trip the shutter, you can flip the mirror up while holding the camera steady AND without having to change the grip! If you have an external finder in the flash shoe this works even better - you can follow the subject as long as the focus etc. stays the same. With some SLR's you can shoot M-Leica times. M is better because it makes less noise etc. But just in case it's not available... Kari Eloranta