Camera movement 300mm or 400mm doing landscapes: I've been searching the internet for information on keeping camera movement at a minimum doing landscapes with a 300mm to 400mm lens. I...

farwest Loc: Utah

I've been searching the internet for information on keeping camera movement at a minimum doing landscapes with a 300mm to 400mm lens. I have a great Gitzo tripod and when I use my 300mm Nikon 2.8 I notice looking through the view finder there is movement especially when the wind is blowing. I have a remote shutter release and I put a small sandbag on top of the lens and I have a weight hanging from the center column. What other things can I do to help keep movement down?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You might need a heavier tripod that is tall enough without using a center column. By extending the center column it causes some instability. Use more weight under the center of the tripod. Try using IS or whatever lens vibration or image stability it has. Try increasing your shutter speed. Come back on a calmer day to shoot.

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

Be sure the hanging weight is not swinging in the breeze.

farwest Loc: Utah

jeep_daddy wrote:

You might need a heavier tripod that is tall enough without using a center column. By extending the center column it causes some instability. Use more weight under the center of the tripod. Try using IS or whatever lens vibration or image stability it has. Try increasing your shutter speed. Come back on a calmer day to shoot.

Not raising the center column. Non vr lens.

Thanks

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Pick a less windy day? Increase the ISO and shutterspeed? Use a heavier weight that touches the ground from the connect point on the tripod?

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Don't extend the tripod's legs or center column - get down on the ground. Take off the lens hood if there is any kind of wind as long as flare is not an issue, it acts like a sail. Keep you shutter speed high when possible. Yes, ISO will need to go up, but you can align and average multiple shots in PP, which takes the noise out, i.e. align and average 2 shots at ISO 1600 and you get an equivalent ISO 800 result. Take multiple shots in continuous shooting mode. Usually, you will find at least one that is sharp. Use the camera's timer or a remote release. Make sure VR is working and set correctly for a tripod mount. No, don't automatically turn it off - read your owner's manual. My Nikon 600mm f/4G has a tripod setting. If you are focusing at infinity, make sure infinity is in focus. You can shoot in Live View mode to avoid AF problems.

wegriffin8642 Loc: Houston, Tx

farwest wrote:

I've been searching the internet for information on keeping camera movement at a minimum doing landscapes with a 300mm to 400mm lens. I have a great Gitzo tripod and when I use my 300mm Nikon 2.8 I notice looking through the view finder there is movement especially when the wind is blowing. I have a remote shutter release and I put a small sandbag on top of the lens and I have a weight hanging from the center column. What other things can I do to help keep movement down?

I had similar issues and eventually solved the problem. I "built" a 3 sided tent out of aluminum tubing and heavy transparent plastic (like that used to ship mattresses) and positioned myself inside the tent out of any wind, dust, or the like. I built it cheaply so that, if it got damaged or torn, there would be minimal monetary loss. I have covered it on occasion and used it for wildlife photography by cutting a small hole in the plastic for my lens to protrude, leaving the back open for air circulation. Again, depending on your design, it can successfully be used for night photography under adverse (to some extent) conditions such as light rain, heavy due, etc.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

If possible stand upwind of the camera. Works pretty good.
What focal length are you using for the landscape?

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

You don't specify what camera you're using. I assume it's 1 of the better Nikon DSLR's since you're using a Nikon 300mm f/2.8 lens. Use a remote shutter release either wired or wireless (I have a Vello wireless) and set your camera to lock the mirror up 2 seconds before releasing the shutter. It's amazing how much vibration pressing the shutter release & the mirror slap induces.

Vietnam Vet

put a sandbag on each foot of the tripod

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

farwest wrote:

I've been searching the internet for information on keeping camera movement at a minimum doing landscapes with a 300mm to 400mm lens. I have a great Gitzo tripod and when I use my 300mm Nikon 2.8 I notice looking through the view finder there is movement especially when the wind is blowing. I have a remote shutter release and I put a small sandbag on top of the lens and I have a weight hanging from the center column. What other things can I do to help keep movement down?

Increase the SS.

Bill_de Loc: US

Rest your hand, or arm, across the lens with downward pressure. Of course that is after lowering the center column.

---

farwest Loc: Utah

nicksr1125 wrote:

You don't specify what camera you're using. I assume it's 1 of the better Nikon DSLR's since you're using a Nikon 300mm f/2.8 lens. Use a remote shutter release either wired or wireless (I have a Vello wireless) and set your camera to lock the mirror up 2 seconds before releasing the shutter. It's amazing how much vibration pressing the shutter release & the mirror slap induces.

I've been using Nikon D800, wireless remote that I trigger and release minimum of 2 seconds or more. When looking through the view finder you can see movement part of the time.

I believe with the lens forward of the tripod foot and the camera body behind it really isn't the most solid base. I just took my transit tripod and attached a 8 x 16 inch board then on top of the board I'm going to use sandbags to cradle the camera and lens. Thinking also of a large format tripod for more stability.

It's not that I get bad shots all the time but I believe the little bit of movement can effect the results one gets.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

farwest wrote:

I've been searching the internet for information on keeping camera movement at a minimum doing landscapes with a 300mm to 400mm lens. I have a great Gitzo tripod and when I use my 300mm Nikon 2.8 I notice looking through the view finder there is movement especially when the wind is blowing. I have a remote shutter release and I put a small sandbag on top of the lens and I have a weight hanging from the center column. What other things can I do to help keep movement down?

Apparently your tripod isn't great for what you are trying to do.
You might try the Gitzo GT5561SGT 7.85# no center column, this is an older model and no longer in the Gitzo line but they do have an equivalent model. I have been using mine since 2008 goes from ground level to over 8ft.Not cheap nor light weight but sure beats the hell out of packing sandbags and such.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

OP - keep your tripod as low as possible. Do not extend centre pole. Make sure one tripod leg is placed forwards. Keep nets in your bag to fill with stones for weighting down. Try handholding with your camera resting firmly on something solid, eg rock, tree trunk etc. (cushion camera to avoid scratches). When possible sit in car with window down - but don't rest camera on car body. Sometimes firm hand holding with camera mounted on tripod can reduce shake. Remote release unlikely to help in windy conditions.