Camera movement 300mm or 400mm doing landscapes (Page 3): I would question wether the tripod is the right size for the combo you are shooting with.I have been out in some pretty windy...

williejoha

I would question wether the tripod is the right size for the combo you are shooting with.I have been out in some pretty windy days, but with the setup I use, never had a problem with movement ( 100-400 on aD7 II).
WJH

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

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 would try using the tripod NOT fully extended - especially do not extend the lowest/smallest leg section or the center post. IMO, the head needs to be very big and overkill also. More mass/weight in the head and tripod will be more stable - especially in windy scenarios. I think I would also consider removing the lenshood if possible.
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farwest Loc: Utah

gerryh wrote:

Don't go out when the wind is blowing.

I live where it is kind of like Chicago we usually have some kind of wind.

ski Loc: West Coast, USA

Weight down the tripod also with a sandbag or similar. A lens that big has a lot of area for wind to catch....
Also, might lower the tripod to ease the wind contact.

farwest Loc: Utah

First I appreciate all the information that has come from all the replies. Currently I'm usually a Gitzo 2542L which has a center post I don't use and I don't extend the legs all the way. I have a Markins ballhead and a Uniball head that I'm using. The Nikon 300mm is non-VR and I usually use my D800 for landscape but have a D500 and D4 I can use also. Thanks again for all responses.

farwest Loc: Utah

williejoha wrote:

I would question wether the tripod is the right size for the combo you are shooting with.I have been out in some pretty windy days, but with the setup I use, never had a problem with movement ( 100-400 on aD7 II).
WJH

Gitzo 2642L

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

How about the wind moving the trees etc. Use the fastest shutter speed you can to stop the movement. - Dave

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

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 would shut the image stabilization off when on a tripod and increase the ISO and shutter speed. I might also lock up the mirror.

farwest Loc: Utah

alberio wrote:

I would shut the image stabilization off when on a tripod and increase the ISO and shutter speed. I might also lock up the mirror.

non-vr lens, locking up mirror and waiting 2 or more seconds before releasing shutter

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

farwest wrote:

non-vr lens, locking up mirror and waiting 2 or more seconds before releasing shutter

I know you said you can see the movement in your view finder but, could you please post an image so we can see and possible find out what is happening?

farwest Loc: Utah

Rich1939 wrote:

I know you said you can see the movement in your view finder but, could you please post an image so we can see and possible find out what is happening?

I can post a picture. I knew I would get some good feedback here on how to make things steadier. Not all the pictures are bad but I know some are because I can see the movement through the lens.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

farwest wrote:

I can post a picture. I knew I would get some good feedback here on how to make things steadier. Not all the pictures are bad but I know some are because I can see the movement through the lens.

I mentioned in an earlier post "heat waves". Even on a cold day temperature differences will give you heat waves and you will see them through your lens. The longer your lens, because of compression the more apt you are to running into the problem

photoman43

Make sure you remove the camera strap (or remove the section that goes around your neck) so it does not get caught by the wind.

With certain Nikon VR lenses on a tripod, turning VR to on creates vibrations. The solution is to turn off VR. If it is windy and you think VR will help remove wind motion, then take some pictures with VR on and some with VR off.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

farwest wrote:

First I appreciate all the information that has come from all the replies. Currently I'm usually a Gitzo 2542L which has a center post I don't use and I don't extend the legs all the way. I have a Markins ballhead and a Uniball head that I'm using. The Nikon 300mm is non-VR and I usually use my D800 for landscape but have a D500 and D4 I can use also. Thanks again for all responses.

Well, it seems that you are trying to push the limits of your tripod. After all, this is a Series 2, which is absolutely stable with up to a 200mm lens, and can be used with up to a 300 with care. Posting a sample image would help identify the source of the instability - but I would put my money on shutter shock. I have the same camera, and have used a variety of lenses up to 600mm and yes, if you don't deal with the shutter shock - no amount of shutter delay, mirror lock up, remote shutter is going to help.

farwest Loc: Utah

Gene51 wrote:

Well, it seems that you are trying to push the lim... (show quote)

Could you give me some information about shutter shock. Doesn't it minimize it using a remote shutter release with mirror lock up?