Removing filter, shoot in live view, no VR

[UncleFai]

I watched a couple of Youtube tutorial videos by this Nikon Help Hotline guy: http://www.youtube.com/user/Lilkiwiguy87

A lot of the shots are to be done with tripod - ok fair enough - but I am puzzled by two things:

1. He recommends removing the filters in many situation.

2. He recommends "curtain down" on the viewfinder (or covering it up) then use live view - "to reduce the chance of light coming in".

For (1), ok I can understand that one less piece of glass with improve the light coming in. But for (2), does (a) light escape into the system via the view finder, and (b) when I shoot in live view, I hear extra "kaa-chaa" (extra mechanical flipping?) - won't that introduce shake?

Also, I have heard some people say that on tripod, don't use VR coz it may just compensate for vibration that aren't there, i.e., VR is only for handheld-shots.

What do people think?

 

[ovaltinemilo]

I watched a couple of Youtube tutorial videos by this Nikon Help Hotline guy: http://www.youtube.com/user/Lilkiwiguy87

A lot of the shots are to be done with tripod - ok fair enough - but I am puzzled by two things:

1. He recommends removing the filters in many situation.

2. He recommends "curtain down" on the viewfinder (or covering it up) then use live view - "to reduce the chance of light coming in".

For (1), ok I can understand that one less piece of glass with improve the light coming in. But for (2), does (a) light escape into the system via the view finder, and (b) when I shoot in live view, I hear extra "kaa-chaa" (extra mechanical flipping?) - won't that introduce shake?

Also, I have heard some people say that on tripod, don't use VR coz it may just compensate for vibration that aren't there, i.e., VR is only for handheld-shots.

What do people think?

*i didn't watch the vid*
1)filters introduce unwanted flares from stray light during night shots..
2) "kaa-chaa" is this the same as using viewfinder? if so, then it's the mirror slapping sound....btw, I thot the mirror is there to reflect light to the meter already...viewfinder shouldn't have light escape...

 

[LifeInMacro]

I watched a couple of Youtube tutorial videos by this Nikon Help Hotline guy: http://www.youtube.com/user/Lilkiwiguy87

A lot of the shots are to be done with tripod - ok fair enough - but I am puzzled by two things:

1. He recommends removing the filters in many situation.

2. He recommends "curtain down" on the viewfinder (or covering it up) then use live view - "to reduce the chance of light coming in".

For (1), ok I can understand that one less piece of glass with improve the light coming in. But for (2), does (a) light escape into the system via the view finder, and (b) when I shoot in live view, I hear extra "kaa-chaa" (extra mechanical flipping?) - won't that introduce shake?

Also, I have heard some people say that on tripod, don't use VR coz it may just compensate for vibration that aren't there, i.e., VR is only for handheld-shots.

What do people think?

1. Filters off - yes, because it causes unnecessary elements that may distort the quality of light entering the lens/sensor. Flare is the most common problem, especially with low quality ones.

2. Shoot with Live View - Yes, to some extent there may be light entering the viewfinder to distort the image quality. This is especially obvious during long exposure (e.g. with ND filter). Some CSers were discussing this issue a few days ago. You may want to search on "Banding" issues on image. But so far, I have not experienced this...maybe it may be camera/lens specific...who knows?

3. VR/IS should be switched off when using tripod. I mean it is sensible right? VR/IS only comes into play when there is slight vibration when hand holding. I'm not sure if keeping VR/IS on with tripod will degrade the VR/IS motor, but it will surely drain off the battery power.

 

[Dream Merchant]

I watched a couple of Youtube tutorial videos by this Nikon Help Hotline guy: http://www.youtube.com/user/Lilkiwiguy87

A lot of the shots are to be done with tripod - ok fair enough - but I am puzzled by two things:

1. He recommends removing the filters in many situation.

Keep the filter on if there's a chance of the front element getting damaged or exposed to harsh environment. When conditions are good, take it off. High or very high quality filters are less prone to flare, but in situations where there are bright/focused light sources just outside, or within the frame, you might still get flare.

2. He recommends "curtain down" on the viewfinder (or covering it up) then use live view - "to reduce the chance of light coming in".

For (1), ok I can understand that one less piece of glass with improve the light coming in. But for (2), does (a) light escape into the system via the view finder, and (b) when I shoot in live view, I hear extra "kaa-chaa" (extra mechanical flipping?) - won't that introduce shake?

2a) Yes. Stray light can leak through the viewfinder during an exposure. In such cases, use a VF blind/hood/cover or anything to block the viewfinder.

2b) At higher shutter speeds, it might not have a negative effect, but at lower speeds or long exposures, it may. If it does have a negative effect, use LV to compose and focus, then swich it back, wait a second or two then shoot.


Also, I have heard some people say that on tripod, don't use VR coz it may just compensate for vibration that aren't there, i.e., VR is only for handheld-shots.

Some lenses/systems have a tripod sensing mode to shut of VR automatically when the system doesn't detect any movement/vibrations. Some don't, and if you have your VR/IS/OS switched ON, it may result in very blurred photos.

What do people think?

 

[ovaltinemilo]

Also, I have heard some people say that on tripod, don't use VR coz it may just compensate for vibration that aren't there, i.e., VR is only for handheld-shots.

Some lenses/systems have a tripod sensing mode to shut of VR automatically when the system doesn't detect any movement/vibrations. Some don't, and if you have your VR/IS/OS switched ON, it may result in very blurred photos.

Hi Dream Merchant, as I don't have a VR lens, I am rather curious...does the VR gets tricked only when there's obvious movement/vibration like wind etc? if VR is on, and the tripod is sturdy, is there still chance that VR gets activated?:think:

 

[Dream Merchant]

The concern should be, if VR is switched ON, and you use a sturdy tripod, would vibrations or strong wind activate the VR if it was left switched on and/or have the tripod sensing mode activated aka, how effective is the tripod sensing mode. :think:

Apparently the algorithms used in Nikon's VR to counter-act hand movements and tripod vibrations are different, and some of Nikon's longer lenses has this incorporated in their design as the longer teles are likely to be used with mono or tripods.

Interesting reads:

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/technology/scene/16/index.htm
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/technology/scene/03/index.htm
http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/007w1D
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/technology/vr/index.htm

CHEERS!

 

[ovaltinemilo]

The concern should be, if VR is switched ON, and you use a sturdy tripod, would vibrations or strong wind activate the VR if it was left switched on and/or have the tripod sensing mode activated aka, how effective is the tripod sensing mode. :think:

Apparently the algorithms used in Nikon's VR to counter-act hand movements and tripod vibrations are different, and some of Nikon's longer lenses has this incorporated in their design as the longer teles are likely to be used with mono or tripods.

Interesting reads:

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/technology/scene/16/index.htm
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/technology/scene/03/index.htm
http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/007w1D
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/technology/vr/index.htm

CHEERS!

ooh..Thanks for the links..shall read up the info...