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New owner of an M7


Steve33

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Probably a 1/30th but there will be some minor blur depending on your heart and breathing and your definition of a clear shot. With a soft release button you can release the shutter more slowly/softly and perhaps get 1/15th some may say 1/8th but you'd need to be very relaxed or find a wall / post to lean the camera on.

 

When I've used such slow shutter speeds it has always been with the lens wide open so that also adds some softness to the image.

 

Regards, Lincoln

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Well as you can see from the above replies, there is a difference of opinion. I have always heard heard that 1/15 th of second was a photographer's jinx. 1/4 or 1/8 OK but not the dreaded 1/15. How much is fact or fiction, I don't know. My best experiences for trying to hand hold at very low speeds was in Munich and Salzsburg. The shops have their front window displays lighted because the passage ways are narrow and the buildings are 5 stories. That combination shuts out a lot of light even at noon. My own experiences with a M7 and a 28 f 2. asph were trying to use background light, the minor sunlight and a a friendly post or wall. I would focus, check the shutter speed, then press and cross my fingers. The aperture was mostly wide open. Good luck.

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Hand steadiness is the big variable here, but......

 

I've regularly achieved acceptably sharp hand-held pics with my M7 & 35 ASPH Summicron using 1/15th. I think I've even gotten away with 1/8th. So on the 28, it should theoretically be even easier.

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Hi,

 

I am a new owner of the M7, my first rangefinder and I have the following question: what is the slowest shutter speed I can use without seeing camera shake. I am using it with a 28mm f2.8 asph lens. Thanks. Steve

 

 

...Steve, I could give you a whole bunch of numbers, but it would be a pointless exercise. My advice? Grab your camera+lens, load it with film, go out there, and experiment. And remember, your numbers are your numbers. Have fun.

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Hi,

 

I am a new owner of the M7, my first rangefinder and I have the following question: what is the slowest shutter speed I can use without seeing camera shake. I am using it with a 28mm f2.8 asph lens. Thanks. Steve

 

Best way to find the true answer, load the camera up with some film, go somewhere in low light and shoot a couple of scenes at different speeds down to as low as you think you can comfortably go, and then a stop further.

 

What works for me probably won't work for you.

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Agree with Rolo. Whilst you shoot with what you have available (and 1/15 or 1/30 may well do the job) I much prefer to shoot at 1/125 or faster if I can. If this means sacrificing DOF then so be it (even though that can create problems in itself when you are looking to get more than one face in focus). More often than not the problem for me is subject movement rather than handshake blur and the slower speeds (1/15 or so) can be a waste of time.

 

 

20 rolls for a month! I sure hope your taking more than that....

 

Another regular pissing match. Do you get extra points as a "serious" photographer if you shoot more film than the next man?

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Hi

 

Treat the M7 lke a well damped SLR, without auto stab...

 

At 1/125 unless people are saying cheeze you will get subject movement blur as with a SLR.

 

If you are shooting static subjects you need to hug a lamp post or have elbows on solid coffee table to use 1/60 or slower, best with 1/125 as well. Otherwise bur may be detectable.

 

If it is dark for static subjetcs shoot 5+ times at 1/15, you can try 1/8 or 1/4, but if you plan on such shots you need a monopod or camera clamp. If you are going slower a tripod & cable release, as well as clamp.

 

If you practice a lot with a M8/9 you shoud be able to improve, takes longer with a film camers, dont see how a soft release improves over the M shutter collar, but if you think it does use it, confidence is important.

 

If you have a moving subject shot shoot it anyway, like Capa D day, tommy in water you may get a shot.

 

These are my 35mm lens rules, 28mm maybe more relaxed... But dont drink coffee.

 

Noel

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  • 2 weeks later...

It really depends on how large you will make the prints from your neg's,

 

If you make relatively small prints you can get away with a lower shutter speed as any 'shake' will be less noticeable.

 

I have a reasonably steady hand and can get sharp images printed at 30x40 cm with no noticeable shake, to do this I need a minimum speed of 1/125th.

 

For prints of about half the size I might get away with 1/60th or even 1/30th but that is on a good day.

 

Main thing is to look for some kind of support if you are going below 1/60th

 

Good luck

 

Andy

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Well as you can see from the above replies, there is a difference of opinion. I have always heard heard that 1/15 th of second was a photographer's jinx. 1/4 or 1/8 OK but not the dreaded 1/15.

 

Why would a speed faster than 1/4 or 1/8 (1/15) be worse? Sympathetic rhythm? Magic? ;)

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The ones I took of the shop opening on Saturday were all taken with a 35mm at 1/15th at f2. They are all sharp.

 

Much depends upon your breathing technique, but using a winder and taking two shots definitely helps. The second is usually sharper than the first.

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