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From: falk@sun.uucp (Ed Falk)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: be careful about denigrating the Leica
Message-ID: <3416@sun.uucp>
Date: Fri, 28-Mar-86 21:31:52 EST
Article-I.D.: sun.3416
Posted: Fri Mar 28 21:31:52 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 31-Mar-86 08:11:51 EST
References: <1740@decwrl.DEC.COM> <2055@peora.UUCP>
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Lines: 41

> Jordan Hayes writes:
> 
> > Using this technique, I am able to hand hold a 135mm f/2.8 on my F-2 at up
> > to 1/2 second.
> >
> To which Doug Hagerman replies:
> 
> >         B. S.
> 
> While I often disagree with Mr. Hayes :-), I must admit that I tend to agree
> with his claim, inasmuch as you *can* hand-hold a 35mm camera with a long
> lens and relatively long shutter speed with no problems.
	...
> If you really want sharp photographs, use a large-format camera.  Sharp
> photographs are a whole different style of photography.

I routinely take photos with 1/4 sec. exposure ('normal' length lens).  I
have occasionally taken 1/2 sec. exposures and gotten away with it.
I do it like this:  One foot in front of the other, both knees locked.  If 
at all possible, I lean against a wall or something.  If I can lean over
something and rest my elbows that's better still.  In general, I press as
many points of my body as I can to imobile objects as I can.
Most importantly, I press my head against any wall that's behind me and press
the camera to my face.  Next, I take a deep breath
and hold it.  Then I slowly press the release, so that the
actual moment of release comes as a surprise to me; that keeps me from
tensing up (and moving) just before the shutter clicks.


I have pictures I've taken with long lenses out of airplanes while holding
the camera with one hand and flying the plane with the other.  Of course I
never try this with less that 1/60 if I can help it although I've gotten
away with 1/30 on occasion.

As for large format cameras, I have an aerial photo taken with a Bronica
of the college where I used to work.  You can see the entire campus
(every building), and the mountains in the background AND see the individual
branches on some of the trees.  When blown up to 14x17, you still can't
see the grain.  I love medium format.

	-ed falk, sun microsystems