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slowdive101 · 02-09-2010, 03:52 PM

Okay here's something I've been struggling to understand for years, first with my K10, and now with my K-7.

Why is it recommended that SR be turned off when using a tripod? I understand the theory, but what is the harm in leaving it on? Could it not help prevent shake if, let's say, it's a windy day? Or if you're shooting from a bridge that moves slightly?

I just can't comprehend I wouldn't want to have SR on at all times.

I Appreciate your input...

Alex00 · 02-09-2010, 03:58 PM

When you have your camera on a tripod, the Shake reduction feature will try to reduce shake when there is actually no shake. since it's on it will create slight vibrations causing unwanted blur to your shots.

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-09-2010, 04:09 PM

it can lead to blurred images when panning a shot because your panning will not be perfect and the camera is trying to adjust for the changes in acceleration which it interprets as shake as opposed to tracking a moving object.

That and tripod where higher frequency vibration can confuse it, and flash , especially when using fill flash can cause double imaging

ma318 · 02-09-2010, 04:37 PM

My speculation is that shaking reduction works very much like you trying to balance a long stick on your hand. Your eyes have to keep watching which way the stick is falling and you move your hand in that direction to counteract the falling stick. The end results is that you are always moving your hand around to keep the stick from falling. Imagine the stick suddenly does not move, you will then have to keep your hand completely motionless to keep it from falling. And keeping your hand completely motionless is actually much harder then keeping your hand moving. In fact I would say that it is impossible for you to keep your hand 100% motionless for any length of time. That is probably how it is with the SR mechanism.

Last edited by ma318; 02-09-2010 at 05:22 PM.

Igilligan · 02-09-2010, 04:43 PM

It does not really work that well anyway... You are better off just learning how to hold the camera steady.

dragonfly · 02-09-2010, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by Igilligan

It does not really work that well anyway... You are better off just learning how to hold the camera steady.

Baloney. I've tried switching back and forth and the SR really does help me get decent shots (hand held results).

Graystar · 02-09-2010, 05:33 PM

It really depends on the design, but some systems will "creep" when the camera is motionless.

Canon compacts were very good on this. I can take 15-second exposures on a tripod with or without IS and the images would look identical. However, creep seemed to be a problem on Canon lenses, and Canon recommended that the IS system be shut off. Apparently, their latest IS design can detect when the lens is motionless and it disables the IS system.

I just tried a few 30-second exposures with my K-x with SR on and there’s no phantom shake or creep in them. The K-x seems to work just fine on a tripod with SR enabled.

slowdive101 · 02-09-2010, 05:49 PM

Interesting... I think I'm going to try some experiments. In a perfect world, though, I'd keep SR on at all times.

ma318 · 02-09-2010, 08:45 PM

Why not just use the 2 sec timer when you are using a tripod? The 2 sec timer will automatically disable SR and also perform mirror lockup.

Graystar · 02-09-2010, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by ma318

Why not just use the 2 sec timer when you are using a tripod? The 2 sec timer will automatically disable SR and also perform mirror lockup.

'Cause then I have to wait 2 seconds for the picture!

Obviously that would be the smart thing to do, but it's just nice to know that I have ability to quickly stabilize the camera against a street light or fence and take a 2-second exposure and not worry about the SR system ruining the shot.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 02-09-2010, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by ma318

Why not just use the 2 sec timer when you are using a tripod? The 2 sec timer will automatically disable SR and also perform mirror lockup.

Not on the K10D - this is a nice feature on the newer camera models that don't have the SR switch.

I always shoot with delay and remote shutter when using a tripod. A couple of times, I forgot to disable SR on my K10D and it gave me some really scary vibrations when mounted on a tripod - now I think that recommendation is more than just about avoiding a bad photo.

baldrick · 02-10-2010, 01:24 AM

I don`t see what`s so hard about it. Pentax design the cameras, Pentax make the cameras, Pentax say turn the SR off when the camera is on a tripod or when you are panning a moving subject. I just take their word for it.

sterretje · 02-10-2010, 02:42 AM

Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor

Not on the K10D

Read page 68 of your user manual.

PS I'm not saying that your observations are not correct.

rawr · 02-10-2010, 03:06 AM

Why turn SR off?

Because you don't always need it - if you've got steady hands, if you've got a tripod, if you are using a fast enough shutter speed, etc.

Use it when you need it, turn it off when you don't. It's a convenience, not a necessity.

slowdive101 · 02-10-2010, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by rawr

Use it when you need it, turn it off when you don't. It's a convenience, not a necessity.

Yes, it's a convenience, but it's decidedly inconvenient to have to remember to turn it on and off.

02-09-2010, 03:52 PM	#1
slowdive101 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winnipeg, mb Photos: Albums Posts: 48	Why Turn Shake Reduction Off? Okay here's something I've been struggling to understand for years, first with my K10, and now with my K-7. Why is it recommended that SR be turned off when using a tripod? I understand the theory, but what is the harm in leaving it on? Could it not help prevent shake if, let's say, it's a windy day? Or if you're shooting from a bridge that moves slightly? I just can't comprehend I wouldn't want to have SR on at all times. I Appreciate your input...

02-09-2010, 04:43 PM	#5
Igilligan Guest	You can always turn it off... It does not really work that well anyway... You are better off just learning how to hold the camera steady.

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02-09-2010, 03:58 PM	#2
Alex00 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 294	When you have your camera on a tripod, the Shake reduction feature will try to reduce shake when there is actually no shake. since it's on it will create slight vibrations causing unwanted blur to your shots.

02-09-2010, 04:09 PM	#3
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	it can lead to blurred images when panning a shot because your panning will not be perfect and the camera is trying to adjust for the changes in acceleration which it interprets as shake as opposed to tracking a moving object. That and tripod where higher frequency vibration can confuse it, and flash , especially when using fill flash can cause double imaging

02-09-2010, 04:37 PM	#4
ma318 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 174	My speculation is that shaking reduction works very much like you trying to balance a long stick on your hand. Your eyes have to keep watching which way the stick is falling and you move your hand in that direction to counteract the falling stick. The end results is that you are always moving your hand around to keep the stick from falling. Imagine the stick suddenly does not move, you will then have to keep your hand completely motionless to keep it from falling. And keeping your hand completely motionless is actually much harder then keeping your hand moving. In fact I would say that it is impossible for you to keep your hand 100% motionless for any length of time. That is probably how it is with the SR mechanism. Last edited by ma318; 02-09-2010 at 05:22 PM.

02-09-2010, 05:24 PM	#6
dragonfly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: on the wall Photos: Gallery Posts: 715	Originally posted by Igilligan It does not really work that well anyway... You are better off just learning how to hold the camera steady. Baloney. I've tried switching back and forth and the SR really does help me get decent shots (hand held results).

02-09-2010, 05:33 PM	#7
Graystar Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 144	It really depends on the design, but some systems will "creep" when the camera is motionless. Canon compacts were very good on this. I can take 15-second exposures on a tripod with or without IS and the images would look identical. However, creep seemed to be a problem on Canon lenses, and Canon recommended that the IS system be shut off. Apparently, their latest IS design can detect when the lens is motionless and it disables the IS system. I just tried a few 30-second exposures with my K-x with SR on and there’s no phantom shake or creep in them. The K-x seems to work just fine on a tripod with SR enabled.

02-09-2010, 05:49 PM	#8
slowdive101 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winnipeg, mb Photos: Albums Posts: 48 Original Poster	Interesting... I think I'm going to try some experiments. In a perfect world, though, I'd keep SR on at all times.

02-09-2010, 08:45 PM	#9
ma318 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 174	Why not just use the 2 sec timer when you are using a tripod? The 2 sec timer will automatically disable SR and also perform mirror lockup.

02-09-2010, 08:59 PM	#10
Graystar Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 144	Originally posted by ma318 Why not just use the 2 sec timer when you are using a tripod? The 2 sec timer will automatically disable SR and also perform mirror lockup. 'Cause then I have to wait 2 seconds for the picture! Obviously that would be the smart thing to do, but it's just nice to know that I have ability to quickly stabilize the camera against a street light or fence and take a 2-second exposure and not worry about the SR system ruining the shot.

02-09-2010, 10:50 PM	#11
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by ma318 Why not just use the 2 sec timer when you are using a tripod? The 2 sec timer will automatically disable SR and also perform mirror lockup. Not on the K10D - this is a nice feature on the newer camera models that don't have the SR switch. I always shoot with delay and remote shutter when using a tripod. A couple of times, I forgot to disable SR on my K10D and it gave me some really scary vibrations when mounted on a tripod - now I think that recommendation is more than just about avoiding a bad photo.

02-10-2010, 01:24 AM	#12
baldrick Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bulli, NSW Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 67	I don`t see what`s so hard about it. Pentax design the cameras, Pentax make the cameras, Pentax say turn the SR off when the camera is on a tripod or when you are panning a moving subject. I just take their word for it.

02-10-2010, 02:42 AM	#13
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor Not on the K10D Read page 68 of your user manual. PS I'm not saying that your observations are not correct.

02-10-2010, 03:06 AM	#14
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Why turn SR off? Because you don't always need it - if you've got steady hands, if you've got a tripod, if you are using a fast enough shutter speed, etc. Use it when you need it, turn it off when you don't. It's a convenience, not a necessity.

02-10-2010, 09:31 AM	#15
slowdive101 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winnipeg, mb Photos: Albums Posts: 48 Original Poster	Originally posted by rawr Use it when you need it, turn it off when you don't. It's a convenience, not a necessity. Yes, it's a convenience, but it's decidedly inconvenient to have to remember to turn it on and off.

Why Turn Shake Reduction Off?

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