Shake reduction question

PentaxKX-2011 · 01-22-2011, 11:04 AM

I keep reading that when you use a tripod you must turn off the shake reduction function. I was just wondering why? I mean will it mess up the pics, or what?

Last edited by PentaxKX-2011; 01-22-2011 at 06:26 PM.

**twilhelm** · 01-22-2011, 11:18 AM

I don't use a tripod very often, so my shake reduction is always on.
That being said, I don't think I have ever turned it off when I have used a tripod and I have never seen a shot ruined because it was on.

That's just my personal experience, nothing technical.

RioRico · 01-22-2011, 11:54 AM - **2 Likes**

SR vibrates the sensor. Rather, at any specified focal length, it assumes that you'll shake-rattle'n'roll by a certain amount, so it shakes-rattles'n'rolls to counteract that. On tripod with SR on, it shakes even though the tripod doesn't. And how much does it shake? I've put a big Kenko (Hoya) fisheye adapter onto a 35-80 zoom on my K20D, with LiveView and SR both ON, the camera and lens rig sitting on a table -- or more precisely, rattling across the table. Yes, SR can shake and move the camera body!

Generally when tripodding, you'll use some Timer function -- a 2- or 3-second delay. The camera automatically shuts off SR when you use a delay or a remote. But whenever the camera is 'podded, or is sitting on or braced against something solid, you should turn SR off.

**Ash** · 01-22-2011, 01:42 PM

SR is not smart enough to know that the camera is steady on a tripod for long exposures. So it will *try* to stabilise the image even if already stable, and thus introduce (at times, not always) a noticeable level of blurriness to long exposure images.

I reckon that Pentax could have implemented a rule to automatically switch off SR if the shutter speed is extraordinarily long, like for >1sec (or at least given the option in a menu item).

gflauti · 01-22-2011, 02:23 PM

...and why camera switch off the SR in case of remote FLASH controller?

**Ex Finn.** · 01-22-2011, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by gflauti

...and why camera switch off the SR in case of remote FLASH controller?

My guess is it`s assuming that you are doing studio work with tripods.

PentaxKX-2011 · 01-22-2011, 06:23 PM

That clears it up, Thanks for all the answers. I can't wait till the weather breaks so I can really get out there. I want to try night shots.

**twilhelm** · 01-23-2011, 12:09 PM

I have to say I've learned something here too.

01-22-2011, 11:04 AM	#1
PentaxKX-2011 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 63	Shake reduction question I keep reading that when you use a tripod you must turn off the shake reduction function. I was just wondering why? I mean will it mess up the pics, or what? Last edited by PentaxKX-2011; 01-22-2011 at 06:26 PM.

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01-22-2011, 11:18 AM	#2
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	I don't use a tripod very often, so my shake reduction is always on. That being said, I don't think I have ever turned it off when I have used a tripod and I have never seen a shot ruined because it was on. That's just my personal experience, nothing technical.

01-22-2011, 11:54 AM - 2 Likes	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	SR vibrates the sensor. Rather, at any specified focal length, it assumes that you'll shake-rattle'n'roll by a certain amount, so it shakes-rattles'n'rolls to counteract that. On tripod with SR on, it shakes even though the tripod doesn't. And how much does it shake? I've put a big Kenko (Hoya) fisheye adapter onto a 35-80 zoom on my K20D, with LiveView and SR both ON, the camera and lens rig sitting on a table -- or more precisely, rattling across the table. Yes, SR can shake and move the camera body! Generally when tripodding, you'll use some Timer function -- a 2- or 3-second delay. The camera automatically shuts off SR when you use a delay or a remote. But whenever the camera is 'podded, or is sitting on or braced against something solid, you should turn SR off.

01-22-2011, 01:42 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	SR is not smart enough to know that the camera is steady on a tripod for long exposures. So it will try to stabilise the image even if already stable, and thus introduce (at times, not always) a noticeable level of blurriness to long exposure images. I reckon that Pentax could have implemented a rule to automatically switch off SR if the shutter speed is extraordinarily long, like for >1sec (or at least given the option in a menu item).

01-22-2011, 02:23 PM	#5
gflauti Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Naples (IT) Photos: Albums Posts: 44	...and why camera switch off the SR in case of remote FLASH controller?

01-22-2011, 04:18 PM	#6
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by gflauti ...and why camera switch off the SR in case of remote FLASH controller? My guess is it`s assuming that you are doing studio work with tripods.

01-22-2011, 06:23 PM	#7
PentaxKX-2011 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 63 Original Poster	That clears it up, Thanks for all the answers. I can't wait till the weather breaks so I can really get out there. I want to try night shots.

01-23-2011, 12:09 PM	#8
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	I have to say I've learned something here too.