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Stabilizing a M8


ashapiro

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Actually, 1/15 or 1/8th is quite possible to shoot handheld without any device.

 

1/15th or 1/8th should be no problem. Even 1/4 is normally not a problem. Below that you can usually find a table top to put your elbows on, or a wall to lean back against. Much cheaper and easier than carrying another bit of gear.

 

Here's handheld without any support at a 1/4, a pic of no aesthetic merit I fully accept - it was merely a record snap.

 

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Does anyone know of a commercially available, fairly lightweight, device that can be attached to the M8 (and presumably to yourself) that will allow shooting at 1/8 or 1/15 seconds without camera shake?

 

Arthur

 

Kenyon Laboratories--Kenyon Gyro Stabilizers for cinematography, cameras and binoculars.

 

They build gyro stabilizers (stabilises the whole camera not just a lens element as in image stabilizers). It would be useful down to 1 second and even if the ground is shaking (for example on a bridge with traffic)

 

It would not be as good as a really heavy tripod but nothing else is as good. Its the same tech as what the tanks have for their cannons to enable them to hit targets over a kilometer away.

 

But Its heavy.

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My favorite - it goes with me just about everywhere. The Leitz table tripod and medium ball head.

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1/15th or 1/8th should be no problem. Even 1/4 is normally not a problem. Below that you can usually find a table top to put your elbows on, or a wall to lean back against. Much cheaper and easier than carrying another bit of gear.

 

Here's handheld without any support at a 1/4, a pic of no aesthetic merit I fully accept - it was merely a record snap.

 

159500-stabilizing-m8-090202_snow01.jpg

 

It worries me when people boast about long hand-held exposures. Either I have very shaky hands or they're exaggerating. Not counting 4x5 shooting, I've never in my life managed a reasonably sharp 1/4 sec without elbows on table or some such. Michael's picture is in a way reassuring: as far as I can judge from this small jpeg it's not nearly as sharp as if he'd used a good tripod.

 

Sometimes that doesn't matter, and it's always better to get the shot than to miss it entirely, but it seems wrong to claim that 1/4 sec is "no problem".

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For me the leica table tripod with the short and old ball head is the best way when you have to wait for the right moment. No matter how long. It's very confortable. The other ways with tension on the strap are quite fine for a few seconds, but after that, doesn't work so well. You can loose a good shot. Cartier Bresson had a good way of tension on the strap but it needs some training. I'm still learning.

If you want to get 100% of keepers you need the leica table tripod.

Regards

Miguel

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Try the grips from Photoequip; they are beautifully made, and arew designed specifically for the M series leicas, and for Nikon. weight 4 ounces. http://www.photoequip.yahoo.com

 

I use the MD Grip also - it puts the Leica grips to shame. This is a link that works :DAccessories from PhotoEquip

 

Otherwise I use a real tripod for landscape work, but I do carry either a Manfrotto mini pod or Leica mini table top pod for minimal travel bag use.

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What does 'sharp' mean? It is simply a matter of how much image degradation due to camera shake that you are willing to accept. That may depend on the circumstances, and the subject. I like cats, but this one is just marginally sharper than the Cheshire Cat.

 

A good stabilisation device that is always there is the camera strap. Use it for 'sling support', rifleman style. I have explained the procedure elsewhere on this forum.

 

The old man from the Age of the Steyr SSG

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Actually, 1/15 or 1/8th is quite possible to shoot handheld without any device.

 

Ah, Jaap--once upon a time!

 

I used to be able to do just what you say, but I've developed a little tremor to remind me of my mortality. :(

 

I hope you maintain your stability many more years.

 

BTW--I'm not sure that the quieter shutter of the M8u helps steadiness, but psychologically it works. I figure if I paid that much for a shutter change, it must be helping somehow. :p

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Guest BigSplash
The Leica mini-tripod has been used since time immemorial as a chest brace by Leica photographers. It works best for this purpose using the old short ballhead, or a third-party ballhead, not the current long one.

 

I very much agree the Leica mini tripod with old Leica small ball (no longer made) is convenient and works very well. The large ball ( still available) works very well also but it is less convenient to carry around my wife tells me!

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