Did shake reduction change your photography?

normhead · 06-30-2014, 05:17 AM

They trained me out of doing that in school. My instructor would have said, if you're not shooting at 1/30 you're not getting the most out of your camera. And he encouraged us to develop the technique to be able to do 1/15 hand held, with no SR.. High ISO means less dynamic range, in anything but a 645z, A7s or D4s. And all those camera cost some coin.

But hey, if what you get meets your needs.... more power to you, I'm just saying there are different ways to think about that.

**TomB_tx** · 06-30-2014, 05:55 AM

I've always done available light work since the 1960s without shake reduction, often using 1/15th on 50 & 35mm lenses on film. If an 11x14 print looks good, that's good enough for me.
While I still shoot a lot of film, my main digital is Leica M9 - no shake reduction. However, I primarily use lenses from 21 to 90mm, f1.4 to 2.8. No zooms.

**Digitalis** · 06-30-2014, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by TomB_tx

While I still shoot a lot of film, my main digital is Leica M9 - no shake reduction.

rangefinder cameras can typically be hand held at a 1 stop lower shutter speed than an SLR can - that mirror has a lot of mass.

**lmd91343** · 06-30-2014, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by atupdate

Have you tried using one of the DIY string tripods? This would allow you to apply a little downward tension similar to more weight. There are pictures at this website showing how to make one.

String Tripod : Parts

Tim

Tim,

Thank you for the suggestion. I have tried something similar attaching a thin cord to a QR plate rather than an eye-bolt. I used it for about a couple hundred shots.

I felt I was trying to keep the cord taut rather than holding the camera still. My results were poor and did not improve with practice.

Thank you ,
Lance

atupdate · 06-30-2014, 09:06 AM

Originally posted by lmd91343

Tim,

Thank you for the suggestion. I have tried something similar attaching a thin cord to a QR plate rather than an eye-bolt. I used it for about a couple hundred shots.

I felt I was trying to keep the cord taut rather than holding the camera still. My results were poor and did not improve with practice.

Thank you ,
Lance

Have you tried it with thin nylon rope? The material is very stretchy and I find it pretty easy to keep tension on the camera while having enough freedom to adjust the camera height or even orientation.

Tim

**lmd91343** · 06-30-2014, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by atupdate

Have you tried it with thin nylon rope? The material is very stretchy and I find it pretty easy to keep tension on the camera while having enough freedom to adjust the camera height or even orientation.

Tim

I used a 1/2" wide dog lead with the snap buckle attached to a Manfrotto RC2 3157 QR plate thumb screw loop. I have held the handle end under my foot, pulling against it with the camera. I have also tried it looped under my foot pulling the lead taut with my left hand while also cradling the lens with my hand.

lightbender · 06-30-2014, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by atupdate

Have you tried using one of the DIY string tripods? This would allow you to apply a little downward tension similar to more weight. There are pictures at this website showing how to make one.

String Tripod : Parts

Tim

What a great idea--thanks!

**mattb123** · 06-30-2014, 11:05 AM

I have steady hands but SR helps a ton in low light when I don't have or can't use a tripod.

lightbender · 06-30-2014, 11:05 AM

Thanks for all the honest and useful replies. This really helps me out, and I appreciate it.

**Rondec** · 06-30-2014, 11:15 AM

I guess I would just add that I really like the in body stabilization as compared to in len stabilization. Lenses like the DA limiteds/FA limiteds would be significantly larger if you stuck image stabilization in them, whereas they are tiny in Pentax.

6BQ5 · 06-30-2014, 11:57 AM

Absolutely! I feel positively braver taking shots all the way down to 1/10th. Even if it's not perfect it's a lot better than if I didn't have SR.

Outis · 06-30-2014, 01:57 PM

Yes, that plus my 31mm f/1.8 have revolutionized my ability to take photographs in museums-- especially poorly-lit museums that won't allow you to use either a tripod or a flash. I can now get absolutely passable shots in extremely dimly-lit conditions.

mee · 06-30-2014, 06:36 PM

I'm a little confused by many of the posts here.. the way I read the OP is that they were asking if SR can help if you have tremors or shaky hands. Not just if SR helps in low light or with lower shutter times in general.

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-30-2014, 06:54 PM

Check the first post in this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/164135-pent...ml#post1700096

I use shake reduction all the time. Long lenses to get otherwise unobtainable shots.

I use it in old churches where tripods are not allowed, I use it when ever I need it

micromacro · 06-30-2014, 07:40 PM

When I use manual lenses on Canon without camera shake reduction handheld, then use the same lens on Pentax with shake reduction- yes, I feel the difference.

06-30-2014, 06:54 PM	#29
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Check the first post in this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/164135-pent...ml#post1700096 I use shake reduction all the time. Long lenses to get otherwise unobtainable shots. I use it in old churches where tripods are not allowed, I use it when ever I need it Last edited by Lowell Goudge; 07-01-2014 at 04:50 AM.

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06-30-2014, 05:17 AM	#16
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	They trained me out of doing that in school. My instructor would have said, if you're not shooting at 1/30 you're not getting the most out of your camera. And he encouraged us to develop the technique to be able to do 1/15 hand held, with no SR.. High ISO means less dynamic range, in anything but a 645z, A7s or D4s. And all those camera cost some coin. But hey, if what you get meets your needs.... more power to you, I'm just saying there are different ways to think about that.

06-30-2014, 05:55 AM	#17
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	I've always done available light work since the 1960s without shake reduction, often using 1/15th on 50 & 35mm lenses on film. If an 11x14 print looks good, that's good enough for me. While I still shoot a lot of film, my main digital is Leica M9 - no shake reduction. However, I primarily use lenses from 21 to 90mm, f1.4 to 2.8. No zooms.

06-30-2014, 08:18 AM	#18
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,695	Originally posted by TomB_tx While I still shoot a lot of film, my main digital is Leica M9 - no shake reduction. rangefinder cameras can typically be hand held at a 1 stop lower shutter speed than an SLR can - that mirror has a lot of mass.

06-30-2014, 08:51 AM	#19
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,027	Originally posted by atupdate Have you tried using one of the DIY string tripods? This would allow you to apply a little downward tension similar to more weight. There are pictures at this website showing how to make one. String Tripod : Parts Tim Tim, Thank you for the suggestion. I have tried something similar attaching a thin cord to a QR plate rather than an eye-bolt. I used it for about a couple hundred shots. I felt I was trying to keep the cord taut rather than holding the camera still. My results were poor and did not improve with practice. Thank you , Lance

06-30-2014, 09:06 AM	#20
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,724	Originally posted by lmd91343 Tim, Thank you for the suggestion. I have tried something similar attaching a thin cord to a QR plate rather than an eye-bolt. I used it for about a couple hundred shots. I felt I was trying to keep the cord taut rather than holding the camera still. My results were poor and did not improve with practice. Thank you , Lance Have you tried it with thin nylon rope? The material is very stretchy and I find it pretty easy to keep tension on the camera while having enough freedom to adjust the camera height or even orientation. Tim

06-30-2014, 10:00 AM	#21
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,027	Originally posted by atupdate Have you tried it with thin nylon rope? The material is very stretchy and I find it pretty easy to keep tension on the camera while having enough freedom to adjust the camera height or even orientation. Tim I used a 1/2" wide dog lead with the snap buckle attached to a Manfrotto RC2 3157 QR plate thumb screw loop. I have held the handle end under my foot, pulling against it with the camera. I have also tried it looped under my foot pulling the lead taut with my left hand while also cradling the lens with my hand.

06-30-2014, 11:02 AM	#22
lightbender New Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 14 Original Poster	Originally posted by atupdate Have you tried using one of the DIY string tripods? This would allow you to apply a little downward tension similar to more weight. There are pictures at this website showing how to make one. String Tripod : Parts Tim What a great idea--thanks!

06-30-2014, 11:05 AM	#23
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,874	I have steady hands but SR helps a ton in low light when I don't have or can't use a tripod.

06-30-2014, 11:05 AM	#24
lightbender New Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 14 Original Poster	Thanks for all the honest and useful replies. This really helps me out, and I appreciate it.

06-30-2014, 11:15 AM	#25
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	I guess I would just add that I really like the in body stabilization as compared to in len stabilization. Lenses like the DA limiteds/FA limiteds would be significantly larger if you stuck image stabilization in them, whereas they are tiny in Pentax.

06-30-2014, 11:57 AM	#26
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Absolutely! I feel positively braver taking shots all the way down to 1/10th. Even if it's not perfect it's a lot better than if I didn't have SR.

06-30-2014, 01:57 PM	#27
Outis Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 935	Yes, that plus my 31mm f/1.8 have revolutionized my ability to take photographs in museums-- especially poorly-lit museums that won't allow you to use either a tripod or a flash. I can now get absolutely passable shots in extremely dimly-lit conditions.

06-30-2014, 06:36 PM	#28
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	I'm a little confused by many of the posts here.. the way I read the OP is that they were asking if SR can help if you have tremors or shaky hands. Not just if SR helps in low light or with lower shutter times in general.

06-30-2014, 07:40 PM	#30
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	When I use manual lenses on Canon without camera shake reduction handheld, then use the same lens on Pentax with shake reduction- yes, I feel the difference.