To Stabilize or Not?

prophotoimages
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Joined: 23 Nov 2006
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 9:07 am Post subject: TO STABILIZE OR NOT · Quote · Edit · Delete · IP


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That is the question.

Who needs it?..................Everybody

Before I deal with any specifics, it's worth noting the value of camera or lens shake technology. Whenever you take a photograph while handholding a camera, your natural tremors will produce some shake. This won't be a problem when using fast shutter speeds. But it remains that some camera shake will very slightly degrade sharpness at slow shutter speeds especially with using long lens.

However there is a formula for this expected camera shake. You start by taking the reciprocal of the lens & use that as your shutter speed. For example, if using a 100mm lens use 1/125 sec as your shutter speed. If using a 200mm lens, use 1/250 sec as your shutter speed.

An increasing number of cameras are now incorporating newer anti-shake technology and mechanisms in their bodies. Gyro sensors detect the extent and direction of the shake and send this data to the cpu of the body which now compensates for the shake. Some manyfacturers are incorporating this technology into their lens instead. The technology in these special lens may be called OS (optical stabilizion) VR (variable reduction) or IS ( image stabilization)

Which is better? It depends. I personally like the technology in the lens because its tailored for that particular lens rather than just a general thing.

Don't have this anti-shake in your camera or lens. You can compensate by using: a faster shutter speed..a faster ISO...Use a tripod...locking up your mirror ( most dsl's) or using your Image editor to limit motion blur.

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Ted /prophotoimages