Maybe I'm missing something, but in this experiment you put that it was testing your tripod and ball head. So what were your conclusions in relation to your tripod and ball head?
Not that I could afford your tripod setup, but I'm still interested in what help this high dollar tripod setup had. And was wondering if you would be able to compare the results to a lesser brand but still a good quality tripod?![]()
Must be the slight movement by finger actuation. To be honest, if I shoot 2 pictures one fingered and one remotely triggered, and the remote triggered was a lot sharper, I would conclude that it must have been the trigger finger. Or did you just want to test us?![]()
You didn't tell us this was a trick question![]()
You can reduce the amount of movement finger triggered by taking a few images in a burst..
I'm not sure if it would as good a result as the remote triggered image...
Bill - good question. Based on the experiments that Neil did with his tests including the Gitzo series one and two, they have concluded that the series two Gitzo tripod was recommended up to 200mm only. Series one didn't perform as good even with the self-timer when using a Nikon 70-200m f2.8 lens. See image below. (link from Neil's website). Wayne mentioned the importance of the tripod leg diameter. During the test, I used a camera bag to anchor the tripod for stability and to keep it anchored down to the floor. This post was also to show the best practice when using a long lens and how to achieve the sharpest possible image. ANY small vibration will be amplified and becomes obvious on the long end or the further away the subject is.
Gitzo 1228-1410 Compared.jpg photo - Neil Rothschild photos at pbase.com
Imagine shooting a small bird using a 300mm on a DX camera. Approx 450mm equivalent, once you crop the image, you'll tend to loose some of the feather details if you don't use a faster shutter speed and/or you have a poor long lens support.
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Thank you very much my friend! I've been have this delema of tripod choices and it will take a lot of research while I'm saving up to decide what tripod brand and model I need. I was hoping to find a brand and model that wouldn't take so long saving for it. But I'm starting to think that for my needs I may have to save forever for the better brand and model. From what I understand both macro and landscape photography are helped a lot by using a good tripod, and that is the shots I want to take most! Lol![]()
Thank you very much my friend! I've been have this delema of tripod choices and it will take a lot of research while I'm saving up to decide what tripod brand and model I need. I was hoping to find a brand and model that wouldn't take so long saving for it. But I'm starting to think that for my needs I may have to save forever for the better brand and model. From what I understand both macro and landscape photography are helped a lot by using a good tripod, and that is the shots I want to take most! Lol![]()
For sure..
i got the Manfrotto 055xprob & the 498RC2..
Mind you, at that time i thought i was getting top quality & it did cost quite a bit.
Today, thought am very satisfied with the tripod, the ball head gives a lot to be desired
There's a lot of play with the QR plate & the ball head...
so you may want to save up & get the Arca Swiss one like Glenn has.. anything else may just see you needing it sooner than later... like i do
Hi Rick. I'm not sure I follow what you are asking.Glenn,
It looks like your setup still uses a ball, but with a rail to balance the weight. Can that be attached to a standard ball head for better results on a "less than expensive" system?
As much as I wanted to suggest the better performing products, each individual will tend to lean on the less expensive brands. Like whitelight, most will realize that once you start using your tripod more and more, the ball heads usually don't cut it. Most sag especially when positioned at an angle. They might be good for lighter set-up with kit lenses but once your lenses gets bigger, heavier and longer, that's when you'll need a more stable set-up. It's better to overkill your support system to keep it future proof.![]()
Left eye shooter, eh?