Night Photos

**Just1MoreDave** · 12-04-2009, 12:58 PM

I accidentally found a way to check tripod/camera stability. I took a test shot with an airplane flying through the frame without using the 2 sec. MLU - no SR on my camera. The lights from the plane showed how much vibration there was in those 2 seconds.

The exposure meter is likely to get tricked at night, and exposure is likely to be a compromise of dynamic range. The meter will often choose a setting that keeps bright lights from blowing out (being completely white with no detail), but the rest of the image might be too dark. I take some quick test shots to get a good idea of exposure, maybe blowing out some lights to get better shadow detail. On my camera I can turn off the dark frame subtraction and speed this process up.

Wormtown · 12-05-2009, 01:24 AM

Originally posted by maximm

There was very light wind, somehwat grabbing the strap. Tripod was not in any way rock solid and probably twitching from the soft ground it was standing on. I used the two second release, pressing button and it takes the pictures 2 seconds after.

What's SR? Are you referring to the image stabilisation? That was on.

I'll have to try to get it more stable next time then.

Someone can certainty correct me... but I was under the impression that when using a tripod it is best to turn image the stabilization function OFF.

impact · 12-05-2009, 03:29 AM

Originally posted by Wormtown

Someone can certainty correct me... but I was under the impression that when using a tripod it is best to turn image the stabilization function OFF.

Yes, it is.

Notice that he was using the 2 seconds timer, which, as someone already stated, automatically disables SR.

**interested_observer** · 12-05-2009, 06:05 AM

In my first posting here, I indicated that enabling the 2 second timer automatically disables (turns off) the SR (Shake Reduction) or image stabilization. However, I went on to say that you may want to turn it back on (in certain cases). For instance, in the case of wind induced vibration of the tripod, you may want to have SR active - so as to counter this. Also, with the plastic and aluminum tripods, they may help with the very large perturbations, but leave the small ones. So, possibly having the SR on may indeed help in some circumstances - only you can decide.

The reason I post this, was when I had my old tripod, I believe that leaving SR on was actually helping, however with my newer, stiffer tripod I turn it off. I came across this example, that did a test with positive results. You need to scroll down a bit to get to the stabilization test.

VELBON MAXi 343E Tripod - photo.net

________________________________

To somewhat add to the discussion here, I had a somewhat similar problem. I was dealing with boats in a harbor (appeared to not be moving - water surface as smooth as glass - but they were), and an overfocusing problem (set the lens to infinity, but it was slightly beyond infinity - hence the DOF and hyperfocal focusing method).

Image Stabilization and Light Weight Tripods - Steve's Digicams Forums

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-photography-techniques-styles/653...otography.html

12-05-2009, 01:24 AM	#17
Wormtown Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MA Posts: 9	Stablilization... Originally posted by maximm There was very light wind, somehwat grabbing the strap. Tripod was not in any way rock solid and probably twitching from the soft ground it was standing on. I used the two second release, pressing button and it takes the pictures 2 seconds after. What's SR? Are you referring to the image stabilisation? That was on. I'll have to try to get it more stable next time then. Someone can certainty correct me... but I was under the impression that when using a tripod it is best to turn image the stabilization function OFF.

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12-04-2009, 12:58 PM	#16
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I accidentally found a way to check tripod/camera stability. I took a test shot with an airplane flying through the frame without using the 2 sec. MLU - no SR on my camera. The lights from the plane showed how much vibration there was in those 2 seconds. The exposure meter is likely to get tricked at night, and exposure is likely to be a compromise of dynamic range. The meter will often choose a setting that keeps bright lights from blowing out (being completely white with no detail), but the rest of the image might be too dark. I take some quick test shots to get a good idea of exposure, maybe blowing out some lights to get better shadow detail. On my camera I can turn off the dark frame subtraction and speed this process up.

12-05-2009, 03:29 AM	#18
impact Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 115	Originally posted by Wormtown Someone can certainty correct me... but I was under the impression that when using a tripod it is best to turn image the stabilization function OFF. Yes, it is. Notice that he was using the 2 seconds timer, which, as someone already stated, automatically disables SR.

12-05-2009, 06:05 AM	#19
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	In my first posting here, I indicated that enabling the 2 second timer automatically disables (turns off) the SR (Shake Reduction) or image stabilization. However, I went on to say that you may want to turn it back on (in certain cases). For instance, in the case of wind induced vibration of the tripod, you may want to have SR active - so as to counter this. Also, with the plastic and aluminum tripods, they may help with the very large perturbations, but leave the small ones. So, possibly having the SR on may indeed help in some circumstances - only you can decide. The reason I post this, was when I had my old tripod, I believe that leaving SR on was actually helping, however with my newer, stiffer tripod I turn it off. I came across this example, that did a test with positive results. You need to scroll down a bit to get to the stabilization test. VELBON MAXi 343E Tripod - photo.net ________________________________ To somewhat add to the discussion here, I had a somewhat similar problem. I was dealing with boats in a harbor (appeared to not be moving - water surface as smooth as glass - but they were), and an overfocusing problem (set the lens to infinity, but it was slightly beyond infinity - hence the DOF and hyperfocal focusing method). Image Stabilization and Light Weight Tripods - Steve's Digicams Forums https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-photography-techniques-styles/653...otography.html