How do you rate the SSS for Sony?

[Shin Howard]

SSS - Super Steady Shot

Hi guys,
Just starting this thread to ask u guys for your opinions regarding the SSS on the Sony Alpha. Cause IMO I feel that it is not very useful & effective when taking shoots hand-held. Most of the time the photo taken is still blurry due to camera-shake, unless i'm using a hi shutter speed.

So what do you think abt urs? Pls share your experience on this.

[mysilentkaopei]

have to see what shutter speeds you're shooting at liao...
i think at 50 still not that bad... 25 start to depend on use tripod if needed...
my hands are not SSS though... Super-Shaky Stuff...

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by Shin Howard Cause IMO I feel that it is not very useful & effective when taking shoots hand-held. Most of the time the photo taken is still blurry due to camera-shake, unless i'm using a hi shutter speed.

What focal length and shutter speed are you shooting? I've shot at 300mm 1/8s and out of 10 shots, 7 were sharp. That's very very good already.

[MontoyaSG]

if you're using those long telephoto lens with maximum zoom you'll definitely need a tripod.

remember that SSS at most gives you up to a 3 stop compensation

[Shin Howard]

Originally Posted by MontoyaSG if you're using those long telephoto lens with maximum zoom you'll definitely need a tripod. remember that SSS at most gives you up to a 3 stop compensation

But what does the 3-stops actually means? for example if I'm using 1/6 shutter speed?

[Galdor]

Maybe you can borrow a cam from your friend which does not come with image stabiliser and set to the same setting as your Alpha, take a couple of shots with the same setting and range and you'll see the difference. Alternatively, take a shot with the SSS on and another with the SSS off and compare the pictures.

SSS only helps to improve on the sharpness due to hand shake, it does not guarantee a 100% sharp picture as there are other factors to factor in too. In fact the IS and VR or whatever they call it of other brands will give you the same result too - not 100% sharp pictures.

[boombox]

I squashed out 1/4 sec sharp photos from a wall-supported hand hold at 210mm (315mm FF equiv.) with the SSS switched on with my a700.

The best I can manage from a wall-supported hand hold at the the same focal length with SSS switched off is 1/60.

(based on the limit where I can same number of keeper shots with SSS turned on/off)

That is 4 stops advantage.

Though at that shutter speed, the problem now is: subject movement...

[zcf]

Just shoot 10 shots with SSS on and 10 shots with SSS off with either tele lens e.g. 200mm at around 1/25s or wide angle low light condition 1/4s, then compare and see which set offer more or sharper images.

[weishengg]

I can't live without the SSS.

[koolbeep]

the rule to avoid blur images due to hand shake is to have a shutter speed relative to the lens range so for example if you're using a 300mm lens then you need a shutter speed of 1/300s... for 24mm then 1/24s...

BUUTTTT..... for SSS dslr body like sony.... we can use up to 3 stops on this.... im not sure what is the 3 stops of 1/300s which i think may be its around 1/200s, correct me if im wrong ....

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by koolbeep the rule to avoid blur images due to hand shake is to have a shutter speed relative to the lens range so for example if you're using a 300mm lens then you need a shutter speed of 1/300s... for 24mm then 1/24s... BUUTTTT..... for SSS dslr body like sony.... we can use up to 3 stops on this.... im not sure what is the 3 stops of 1/300s which i think may be its around 1/200s, correct me if im wrong ....

Much much slower shutter speeds than 1/200...

[tankm]

Good and effective, can't live without it.

As for the blur photo, have to see what type of blur, camera shake blur or subject motion blur.

Try taking stationary subject with and without SSS. Do be aware that SSS doesn't mean no blur photo at super slow speed. Using the normal recommendation of 1/focal length rule you can shoot 1 to 2 stops slower with SSS. For the focal length don't forget the APS-C factor as well.

[dr34mc4st3r]

u must understand the basic techniques first. SSS can be a lifesaver, but only if used properly.

[Zapper]

Originally Posted by Shin Howard SSS - Super Steady Shot Hi guys, Just starting this thread to ask u guys for your opinions regarding the SSS on the Sony Alpha. Cause IMO I feel that it is not very useful & effective when taking shoots hand-held. Most of the time the photo taken is still blurry due to camera-shake, unless i'm using a hi shutter speed. So what do you think abt urs? Pls share your experience on this.

Bro,

did you wait until the SSS bar drop to 1 or max 2 bar before you shoot? If you observe this, your pictures should be sharp. Sony SSS works a bit differently, have to wait a bit one. If your hands are as shaky as mine, then you prolly have to wait 2-3 secs before a shot. I can take at 1/20 max. Usually a can of beer helps too...haha

[synapseman]

There are a lot of people who seem to think stabilization is a photographic magic pill. You will still need to master the fundamentals of holding a camera. The effects are subtle, but noticeable at the same time. Once you get used to it, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. This will be apparent once you try to shoot 300mm at 1/30 sec, unstabilised. SSS will make the difference between a good shot and a blurry one.

Anyway, I once managed to make a few 3.2s (that is, three-point-two seconds) exposure without a tripod, and it turned out okay!

[OldFlower]

I would bank on the SSS when using a telephoto lens of 300mm and above, but still, I doubted it. Otherwise, I normally shoot as though there is no SSS.

How do I rate Sony's SSS?
It is only good on a tripod outdoors on a windy day.

[Agetan]

SSS is proven a reliable tool once you learn how to use it properly. IS & VR lenses give me a headache due to the stabilising effect seen on the VF, but that is 4 years ago and I think it may have change now.

Ok back to SSS.

3 stops meaning.. keeping the aperture the same, if one is to shoot 1/300s, 3 stops from there is 1/35sec or there about. (1/300 - 1/150 - 1/75 -1/35sec). So I would say something like 1/50sec and some care of using it, it should provide sharp image as you would at 1/300sec without SSS.

Regards,

Hart

[Shin Howard]

Thanks for sharing

Out of curiosity, that how many of us turn on the SSS all the time? or only during certain shots/conditions?
Cos I always left it to on 99% of the time. Hehe

[Getz10]

Mine is always on!!

[koolbeep]

mine is also always on even using tripod ..... some said that you should turn it off when using tripod but I dont seem to see any bad effect on my pictures if its active.