Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I love the self proclaimed expert. It doesn't take much research to see that the high level tripod industry has PROVEN that this is NOT a myth. For instance, go to http://www.ocon.com/brochure/b-08.gif and check out OConnor camera supports (tripods.) These are the multi-thousand dollar professional TV camera, IMAX camera, etc, tripods. They make BOTH aluminum and carbon tripods. They state, and I quote, "Carbon fiber is three times stronger and four times lighter than aluminum. It doesn't rust or corrode, is thermally stable, and has SUPERIOR DAMPENING CHARACTERISTICS." Ilford, in an article referenced by Erwin Puts, stated that either a wooden or carbon (I don't remember which they said) was superior in dampening camera vibrations. It was NOT a metal tripod. It does not take very many synapses to cogitate the reason for this pheromone, that a wood or carbon fiber tripod will dampen vibrations far quicker than a metal tripod. Metal vibrates at a resonant frequency (based upon many factors, density, length, etc.) and continues to vibrate for an extended period of time. Wood and carbon fiber are self dampening. In a nut shell, their molecular structure prohibits "ringing" (continued vibrations) and therefore, as most tripod manufacturers know, have a tendency to kill camera vibrations that resonate through metal tripods. Used any good wooden or carbon fiber tuning forks lately? How about a wooden glockenspiel? Jim >> >> >> Mike Johnston wrote: >> > >> > This is one of those "photographic myths" that just won't seem to die. >> > Like "fixer is heavier than water and sinks to the bottom of the >> > washer," etc. It derives from the fact that traditional surveyor's >> > tripods are made from wood. There is no truth to the myth. >> > >> >>Martin Howard wrote: >> >> Can you point to any studies on the matter? Intuitively, I feel >> that solid >> wooden tripod legs ought to be less transmissive of vibration than tubular >> steel, but I have yet to see any scientific treatment of the subject. I >> figure that a few tripods and a few accelerometers should be able to solve >> the issue. >> >> M.