Hand holding 150mm Macro and above

[eudon]

Hi all,

I was reading the macro lens discussion with great interest. I have been thinking about getting the sigma 150mm Macro. Looks like a great lens and as expensive as 1st party.

I know macro photography usually is done with a tripod (or monopod) but due to reasons i wont get into, i will find myself in a situation where i will be hand holding my macro lens alot. Due to the focal length (150mm and above) I am concerned on the resulting sharpness of the images.

Does anyone have any experience to share on hand holding a 150mm or longer lens for macro shots? Any advice? Thanks in advance!

Eudon

 

[espn]

Hmmm the longer the focal, the longer the barrel, the shake is more intensified actually, best advise is still a tripod/monopod.

I noticed I cannot hold still a 105mm at 1/125 f/8.

 

[eudon]

thanks ESPN!

Was very interesting to read your experience at 1/125th. It would also be interesting to know what speed would you be comfortable with if you had to hand hold your 105mm?

Eudon

 

[espn]

I think a comfortable range would be 1/200 or so... but that would mean if the camera cannot sustain the flash sync speed, then it's not possible anymore.

 

[yanyewkay]

if you have good weather it shouldn't be a prob

Sigma 70-300
300mm handheld.
f/16.0
1/250

Sigma 7-300
300mm handheld
f/8.0
1/200

depends very much on the individual though. the 1/focal length rule is just a guide.
The difficulty increases as I were chasing these butterflies around and panting.
If you have 8 hours and $20 to spare I can teach you how to add a stabliser to almost any lens you have

 

[espn]

if you have good weather it shouldn't be a prob

Sigma 70-300
300mm handheld.
f/16.0
1/250

Try it on a D2X/D200 then you'll know what I mean :sticktong

 

[yanyewkay]

Try it on a D2X/D200 then you'll know what I mean :sticktong

heheh luckily those are out of my reach so I can still get away with it :bsmilie:

 

[Soapa1125]

It's should be easier to handhold with the 150mm but you'll need to use a flash unit.

I do handhold using my 180mm with SB800 sometime n it gives me great results.