D800- Shutter Causing Blur: According to the D800 Technical Manual, because of the high resolution of the D800, the shutter itself can cause photos to blur. This helps explain why some...

SteveR Loc: Michigan

According to the D800 Technical Manual, because of the high resolution of the D800, the shutter itself can cause photos to blur. This helps explain why some of my photos have not been as sharp as I thought they would be. Apparently my technique must improve and adapt to this camera. Any advice?

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

SteveR wrote:

According to the D800 Technical Manual, because of the high resolution of the D800, the shutter itself can cause photos to blur. This helps explain why some of my photos have not been as sharp as I thought they would be. Apparently my technique must improve and adapt to this camera. Any advice?

Well, the obvious first step would be to use a tripod in every case in which that is practical. Other than that, use the fastest shutter you can for the situation and if you have ever fired a pistol or rifle, the same technique works here - squeeeeze the shutter button and do it between heartbeats!

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

you might have just talked me out of a D800.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

quonnie wrote:

you might have just talked me out of a D800.

I am waiting for a computer upgrade before getting the 800 due to file size, but yes, the D800 will show every flaw in shooting technique and cheap lenses. Whether that matters is dependent upon how critical you are. For now, my D3/D7000 combination does all I need.

FilmFanatic Loc: Waikato, New Zealand

SteveR wrote:

According to the D800 Technical Manual, because of the high resolution of the D800, the shutter itself can cause photos to blur. This helps explain why some of my photos have not been as sharp as I thought they would be. Apparently my technique must improve and adapt to this camera. Any advice?

Shutter or mirror? The shutter can't, surely. The mirror can, on the other hand, but you will only see that on moderately long exposures, i.e. 1/30th to a couple of seconds. Or so I am led to believe from reading about other cameras with mirror lockup and the need for it

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Its the censor....remember it has twice the censor power as the D7000....D5100...and so on. Any operator defect....focus...movement...shutter....shows up....even on a tripod if the shutter button is pressed to hard...its that sensitive. Its a very difficult camera to shoot hand held at slower speeds.

FilmFanatic Loc: Waikato, New Zealand

Ok so I had a look at that technical manual. Nowhere does it say anything about the shutter causing blur. It does say the mirror can cause it, which is what I said.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

I should of said shutter speed...If your slightly to slow...you will see it.

DavidT Loc: Maryland

SteveR wrote:

...the shutter itself can cause photos to blur...Any advice?

I was experimenting with my Canon 5D MkIII the other day trying to see how much vibration (and resulting blur) is caused by the shutter and/or mirror flop. I attached a laser pointer to a telephoto lens on the camera, and the camera was mounted on a sturdy tripod. I aimed the laser pointer on the wall on the other side of the room. Using a remote shutter release, I could see closely how much the red dot moved when the shutter was triggered.

What I found was that the shutter release/mirror flop caused slight vibrations that could result in some blur to the image. But, when I used the mirror lock-up, there was no vibration from either the mirror or shutter during the exposure.

So, based on this, I'm not sure if your blur is being caused by the shutter or mirror flop. But, it gave me ample reason to always use a tripod, remote shutter release (wired or wireless), and mirror lock-up for close-up photography.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

CaptainC wrote:

... the D800 will show every flaw in shooting technique and cheap lenses.

Just the excuse I needed! D7000 forever! :thumbup:

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

So the censor has over powered the mechanical parts of a SLR?...hmmmmmm

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Bret wrote:

Its the censor....remember it has twice the censor power as the D7000....D5100...and so on. Any operator defect....focus...movement...shutter....shows up....even on a tripod if the shutter button is pressed to hard...its that sensitive. Its a very difficult camera to shoot hand held at slower speeds.

As I found out. I took a couple of casual shots of my daughter in ambient lighting cranking up the iso somewhat. I was surprised that the photos required 1/6 sec., which, of course resulted in blurred photos. However, even using the flash at 1/60th did not seem to produce much better results. I may have to set the shutter speed higher for flash.
Another option, which I have not tried yet, is to shoot at fewer megapixels.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

quonnie wrote:

you might have just talked me out of a D800.

quonnie....What are you wanting to do with the D800?

FilmFanatic Loc: Waikato, New Zealand

SteveR wrote:

quote=Bret Its the censor....remember it has twic... (show quote)

Your problem may be too slow a shutter for flash if it is slow enough to be affected by your background exposure

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

What iso setting SteveR?