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The Sharpest Image: Table of Contents

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Each example was carefully chosen, and meticulously prepared.  All results were double-checked, and re-shot if even the most minor inconsistency was found.   This is quality analysis you can rely on.

Main Page

  • How to read this article.
  • Goals and rationale.
  • A firsthand experience.

Handheld Sharpness

  • Which shutter speed is fast enough to reliably match mirror lockup on a tripod?
  • Does Vibration Reduction (VR) capability really extend the range of critically sharp shutter speeds?
  • How much shot-to-shot variation occurs when shooting handheld, with or without VR?

Handheld/VR Shootout

  • What is the success ratio for critically sharp images when shot handheld, both with and without VR?
  • Does Vibration Reduction (VR) capability really extend the range of critically sharp shutter speeds?
  • How much shot-to-shot variation occurs when shooting handheld, with or without VR?

The “Settle Down”Test

  • How long does it take for the Gitzo 1228, 1325 and 1548 tripods to become stable again after an exposure is made?

Lens Focal Length

  • When does lens focal length affect critical sharpness on a tripod?

Sharpness—Shutter Speed

  • Does shutter speed influence critical sharpness on a tripod?

Sharpness—Shooting Mode

  • How do various shooting modes affect critical sharpness?

Sharpness—Shooting Technique

  • Which shooting techniques yield critical sharpness?

Sharpness—Tripod Versus Tripod

  • Does the choice of tripod affect critical sharpness?

Sharpness—Tripod Versus Tripod: Burst Shooting

  • What happens to sharpness on a tripod when shooting at a high frame rate? Is Larger Better?

Tripod Collars

  • Does the tripod collar/lens foot affect critical sharpness?

Conclusions

Tripods and Ballheads

  • General tripod considerations: Setup, durability, weight, size, stowabilty, vibration,cost.
  • Comments on the Gitzo 1228, 1325 and 1548 tripods used in this article.
  • Comments on the Really Right Stuff BH-55, Arca Swiss B1 Monoball, Burzynsky Protec Wimberly.

Glossary

  • Some of the terms used in this article.

Blur

  • Why does blur seem more prominent on high-resolution cameras?