August 10, 2005 (and still just as relevant in 2008!)
What’s included?
A comprehensive analysis of tripod stability, vibration reduction, handheld shooting, and what is required to achieve critically-sharp images.
If you want maximum sharpness in your images, then this article is a must-read. It offers valuable insights that could take you years to discover on your own. See comments from readers who have already read the review or see below to order. This article was prepared over a period of eight weeks and required very extensive testing and cross-checking.
View the Table of Contents for this article. (Please note that the links within it will not work because they refer to pages within the actual article).
Here are just a few of the questions that are addressed in this article:
- How risky is handheld shooting anyway?
- Which shutter speed is fast enough to reliably match mirror lockup on a tripod?
- Do tripods vary in how quickly they dampen vibration?
- Does the choice of tripod affect image sharpness and contrast? What about shooting in bursts?
- When does lens focal length become an issue on a tripod?
- How useful is Vibration Reduction handheld and on a tripod?
- How does Vibration Reduction “Active” mode compare with “Normal” mode?
- How do various shooting modes affect sharpness and contrast?
- Which shooting techniques yield the best image sharpness?
- How does shutter speed influence critical sharpness on a tripod?
- Does the tripod collar affect image sharpness and contrast?
- What are some considerations in choosing a tripod and ballhead?
- Why does blur seem more prominent on high resolution cameras?
- What general conclusions can be drawn from all these tests?
Equipment used for this article included:
- Nikon D2X digital camera
- Nikon 200-400/f4 AFS VR
- Nikon 200/f2 AFS VR
- Nikon 70-200/f2.8 AFS VR
- Nikon 50-300/f4.5ED
- Nikon 105/f2DC
- Nikon 50mm/f1.4D
- Nikon TC14E teleconverter
- Nikon MC-20 remote release
- Gitzo G1228, G1325, G1548 tripods
- Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead, Burzynski Protect ballhead, Arca Swiss B1 Monoball
- Really Right Stuff “L” bracket for D2X
- Really Right Stuff panoramic clamp PCL-1
- Charles Sleicher resolution chart
The article consists of 17 html documents, and is approximately 61 megabytes in size due to the size and number of the examples. Examples in most cases are provided both inline in the html document, but also as multi-layer TIF files which can be opened in Adobe Photoshop. They are of sufficient number and quality to be very revealing. Nothing else explores this subject to near the degree this article does. Why guess about all the variations that might or might not produce a critically-sharp image? This article will benefit your images for years to come.
Canon users can still benefit
The tests were performed using Nikon equipment, but the discoveries about tripods, the methodology used, the conclusions, etc are all highly relevant to Canon users, who should expect similar issues.
No test can cover every possible combination of camera body, settings, tripod head, tripod, etc; so while the results are specific to the equipment used, the general conclusions and caveats apply to any camera system, and many of the specific findings will also apply to any camera system; the author shoots both Canon and Nikon systems as of 2008, with years of experience with both brands.
What does it cost?
The Sharpest Image costs $26.95 USD, payable via PayPal (preferred) or personal check or money order (contact diglloyd Inc for the latter). That’s 5% of the cost of a mid-range Gitzo tripod—make sure you buy the right tripod so you don’t have to buy more than one for your needs.
The review is licensed to a single person only; providing it/leaving it available, etc to another person/party in any form is prohibited—thank you for respecting the time and effort that went into preparing it. You may read it/view it on more than one computer it is tied to the beneficial purchaser, not the computer upon which it is read. You may not transfer or resell the review.
Purchase
This review is no longer available separately.
Read it and much more in diglloyd’s Advanced Photography (DAP).
Comments from readers
Lawrence B, 15 May 2008
Yesterday I bought your research paper “The Sharpest Image” and found it to be filled with useful information and a few surprises. The paper is an incredible value.
Peter D, 06 May 2008
Just had a quick look, it's a really nice article. What separates your site from the others is that you go into the nitty gritty of practicalities.
Dr. B, 13 January 2008
You did a very fine and detailed work.
Cecelia C, 12 January 2008
I really enjoyed your study. It makes me think I should lug my ... out more than my smaller Gitzos.
Sterling Z, 10 January 2008
Sharpness guide is really excellent. I am definitely going to get that resolution chart and test my different tripod head/legs/lens combinations. If I've learned anything from your guides so far, it's that testing on one's own equipment is the key to understanding its limitations and improving technique.
Paul M, 01 December 2007
I've already learned a lot from your review - mainly that I need to earn more!!
BL, location unspecified, 24 January 2006
I had to quit reading and hit the sack last night but I was right back at it before work this AM and things were working smoothly as I moved between articles. You are very good and I appreciate what you have accomplished. I have many of the camera/lens combinations that you work with... Your research will help me with my greatest desire, to take extraordinary images...I will gain the knowledge with the help of your info and spending time behind the camera in my studio and in the field.
FR, location unspecified
I meant to write you after reading your sharpness report to tell you how much I enjoyed it. It has changed the way that I shoot, and my results have improved because of it.
Richard, location unspecified
Still reading your review. It is answering many questions that no one could answer for me. Thanks for all the work you put into this and being able to explain it in a clear and concise manner.
PB, location unspecified
thanks, REALLY enjoyed your work!!
LT, Connecticut, USA
Thank you once again for a quick and detailed response to my query! The information and suggestions you make are quite helpful. I will be doing your suggested tests in the very near future.
© Copyright 2007 digLloyd, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any form requires explicit, written permission. No part of this document may be copied, distributed, disseminated in any form, electronic or tangible, whether in whole or in part, without the prior written authorization of digLloyd, Inc or its authorized representative. [Last updated: 26 December 2006]