Bill Caulfeild-Browne
Well-known member
I'm taking a trip to the Arctic in a few months, with frequent shore excursions in Zodiacs. It may not be possible to take a heavy tripod so I have been checking just how steadily I can hand-hold the DF. I normally use a tripod for just about everything.
Basically I tested with a tripod and then without. I used a variety of speeds and a variety of lenses. My conclusion is that I'm just not steady enough to use any shutter speed less than 1/100th under any circumstances (even with the 45 mm or less) and that twice the focal length should be my absolute minimum guide if I want tripod-quality sharpness - that is, 1/160th with the standard lens or 1/300th with 150 mm.
I'm interested in how others fare with hand-holding. Am I just too decrepit (I'm in my 60s!) or am I being realistic?
Basically I tested with a tripod and then without. I used a variety of speeds and a variety of lenses. My conclusion is that I'm just not steady enough to use any shutter speed less than 1/100th under any circumstances (even with the 45 mm or less) and that twice the focal length should be my absolute minimum guide if I want tripod-quality sharpness - that is, 1/160th with the standard lens or 1/300th with 150 mm.
I'm interested in how others fare with hand-holding. Am I just too decrepit (I'm in my 60s!) or am I being realistic?