Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/03/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]<< Most people that complain about the quality of their lenses only need a better tripod (or even just a tripod) than another lens. snip What is your experience with long teles? What focal length do you use for handheld shooting? Experiences with monopods? Are those gun- or pistol-grip gadgets of any use? What tripod to use for extreme teles? >> Gerd, what you say is absolutely true in my opinion. To me the use of a high quality tripod is the most important single thing that one can do to improve the sharpness of photographs. The use of tripod is much more important than the difference between most lenses. However, I also note that there have been comments from some that a tripod gets in the way and interfers with the process. In some circumstances the loss of sharpness from hand holding is more than offset by other factors. That being said, I use a Gitzo 1228 with an Arca Swiss B1 ball head as my main tripod. I use this for lenses up to 400 mm. I would not consider it adequate for lenses longer than this. Since sharpness is very important to me, I am conservative in shutter speed selection. For a 90 mm lens I try not to handhold at a shutter speed less than 1/250. I do not use my monopod very much. I do not believe that the increase in stability over handholding is more than one or maybe two stops. Remember that the monopod does not prevent lateral movement - only vertical movement. Most sports photographers who use the big glass use monopods because it allows them to rest the weight on the monopod. Tom Shea