At 10:07 3/14/02, Mike Cormier wrote:
For many years I consistently used cable releases with macro & long
telephoto lenses. Recently, however, I noticed that on the e-sif site and
on many Oly web pages, it has been suggested that there is basically NO
ideal time to use a cable release. Most often it is suggested to use "the
ball of your finger while holding the camera steady".
So my question then is when, exactly, is one SUPPOSED to use a cable
release? Maitani obviously thought the need would arise, or the OM line
would never have been designed to accomodate one.
Or is this all just a matter of personal preference? I notice that in my
old, original, OM-1 manual from 1972 they recommend a cable-release for
the long telephotos. Has conventional thinking changed since then?
I'm perplexed... ;)
I've been perplexed by this for some time also.
I use a cable release for all photographs at shutter speeds of 1/8th second
and longer, and for many photographs with much shorter shutter speeds when
the camera is on tripod regardless of focal length. With the sole
exception of the 300mm with 2X-A TC for an effective focal length of 600mm
I've *never* had any problem with 400mm focal lengths 400mm and
under. Flexing a cable release (without pushing the plunger) can cause
visible image motion in the viewfinder at 600mm; at that length a single
mounting point is inadequate and it deserves a second support point for
additional lens/body bracing. Even so, with very careful use of the cable
release (not moving it between shutter opening and closing), it's not a
problem. If the self-timer is used, there's zero problem.
The only factor I can think of is the common usage of inexpensive and
rather non-rigid tripods that twist, flex and vibrate easily. With a less
than a rock-solid tripod and camera mount on it, the "ball of the finger"
approach might work better. A cable release works just fine for me with
the combination of tripod, shutter speeds, and lenses used. What's
contained in the Olympus documentation notwithstanding, I will continue to
use a cable release. If some other method works well for someone else and
the equipment combination they're using, they should keep doing whatever
that is also.
-- John
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