[Leica] Light tripods and electronic first curtain

[Mark Rabiner]

Carbon based tripod forms are said to not transmit vibration like metal does
and wood does not. But a conservative approach to tripod viability is
heavier = better. What I think is go light but be careful not to go too
light. And make sure the tripod head is just a really nice one try not out
at the store if you can. Its how you experience the whole thing. Your
steering wheel.


On 10/24/15 8:35 PM, "Ken Carney" <kcarney1 at cox.net> wrote:

> Paul,
> 
> Just back from a workshop on panoramas.  Which Gitzo was this?  I have a
> Canon 5DMk outfit with lenses up to 70-200 2.8, and lighter Fuji X
> cameras and lenses, plus a pano articulating head.   Thx for any info,
> I'm looking for lighter is better with no compromise in quality :).
> 
> Ken
> 
> On 10/24/2015 7:07 PM, Paul Roark wrote:
>> Since the issue of tripods came up, I decided to do a quick and limited
>> test of the Sony with the Canon 70-200 f/4 L zoom attached -- set to 200mm.
>> 
>> It's still sunny here, so 1/60 at f/8 was the "best" I could do for now.
>> Of course, all was on self timer release.
>> 
>> The baseline was a heavy Tiltall tripod with the center pole down.  The
>> first question I had was whether the Sony IS decreased sharpness, as the
>> Canon does, on a tripod.  It did slightly on the Tiltall.
>> 
>> I now carry a Gitzo carbon fiber Traveler tripod -- one of Gitzo's
>> lightest.  My main question was how this light tripod would do with the
>> 200mm lens and the electronic first curtain on.
>> 
>> All I tested was center sharpness at 200% enlargement, 1/60 and f/8, with
>> the camera in a horizontal position.  So, this has to be taken as just a
>> first and quick look.
>> 
>> That said, with e-front curtain activated, the Gitzo Traveler with the pole
>> up or down matched the Tiltall in sharpness.
>> 
>> Interestingly, the image stabilization did not decrease the sharpness with
>> the Gitzo. It may have even increased it in one shot, possibly due to some
>> wind hitting the tripod.
>> 
>> The point is that the electronic first curtain release option of the latest
>> cameras may allow light tripods to be surprisingly effective,in at least
>> some situations.  This option on a camera may be a significant one.
>> 
>> FWIW
>> 
>> Paul
>> www.PaulRoark.com
>> 
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> 
> 
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-- 
Mark William Rabiner
Photographer
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/lugalrabs/