Re: [Leica] high performance photography

["Joseph Codispoti" <joecodi@thegrid.net>]

Thank you Erwin for the report.

There is no question that good equipment is required to obtain good results.
To avoid vibration, I place one hand on the tripod and apply  downward
pressure. However I fail to see how a "a carbon fibre television tripod with
a fluid head " can be better than a good conventional tripod. Do you (or
anyone else) have any thoughts on this point?

Recently Jim Brick mentioned that greater mass produces more stability
(paraphrasing, not quoting). Therefore it is possible to hand-hold a heavy
camera at shutter speeds as low as 1/15 sec.
I have never been able to take photos at speeds lower that 1/125 sec. with
good results (I am critical in determining sharpness).
I think that aside of employing good techniques in holding the camera and
bracing, the lowest usable shutter speed is dependent on heart rate, steady
hands, and breathing control.

Joseph Codispoti


- -----Original Message-----
From: Erwin Puts <imxputs@knoware.nl>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Saturday, July 25, 1998 7:00 AM
Subject: [Leica] high performance photography


>I have commented on techniques for the best possible image quality before
>in this group. Recently Zeiss published a 10 step programme with the same
>aim. It closely follows my strategy. Here it is: Zeiss words:"More than
>ever before, extremely careful and deliberate technique must be used to
>obtain the results of which the [Zeiss] equipment is capable"
>The 10 steps are as follows:
>1. Select a high performance optic
>2. Select a matching body
>3. Place camera and optic on a very sturdy tripod. (Phototripods are not
>good enough: use a carbon fibre television tripod with a fluid head for
>damping purposes)
>4. Select high performance film; Ektar 25 (no longer available, Erwin!), or
>Techpan 25 or Fuji Velvia. (Zeiss forgets the best of all: Kodachrome 25.
>Erwin!)
>5. Use split field indicator
>6. Prefer f/stops from 5,6 to 8 (For Leica 4 to 5,6, Erwin )
>7. Use mirror pre release
>8. Wrap hands around camera to dampen vibration
>9. Make notes on the object you are focusing on and note real physical
>dimensions: "licence plate on truck, 350 feet away, character line width on
>plate: 3/8").
>10 Select quality lab and one with really good optics
>
>BTW: Zeiss will introduce at Photokina 36 (!!) new lenses for all kinds of
>formats and uses.
>
>Erwin
>
>
>