Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/05/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]There is no easy answer to this question. An M6 will take sharp photographs at much slower shutter speeds than an R camera. An R camera has an awful lot of stuff going on inside "during" the exposure. That's why they provide mirror lock up. This turns the R, into an M at the time of exposure. But it's mainly for tripod use as you lose your viewfinder. The second thought is "what are you going to do with your pictures?" If you are going to make 30x40's and they need to be technically very good, you have to take the necessary steps to achieve the desired result. Like not hand holding at a slow shutter speed. If you are making happy snaps, slide show photographs, or the like, then the margin moves way down. Basically, only you can determine where your threshold is. And all of he factors have to be figured in. Are you a nervous person? Do you have firearm target training (the discipline for releasing the trigger on a firearm -target shooting- is super training for releasing the shutter on a hand held camera). There are volumes written on this technique and it would be good reading (and practicing) for anyone wanting to improve their slow shutter speed hand held performance. There simply is no formula that will tell you what you can do. You have to determine that on your own. Ted's method is the best way of stacking the odds in your favor. Jim