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Archive 2017 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

hijazist
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

I've got the Haida filter system for my Tamron 15-30 along with a 15 stop filter, and a 6 stop one. My first try out with the filters was quite disappointing, but I am not sure if it's the filter itself, or if it was due to camera shake. It was quite windy at the beach, so could it have been shake caused by wind?

I am using a Nikon D750 with a Tamron 15-30 with a Gitzo GT2530 and a Markins Q10 ballhead. The Tamron is very sharp in normal exposures.

I did a quick test at home, and here's a normal exposure followed by a long one. Does this look like camera shake or IQ problem? It was also windy in this test.

Also, any suggestions regarding sensor noise with super long exposures?

Normal Exposure

Normal Exposure 100% Crop

Long Exposure

Long Exposure 100% Crop

Mar 06, 2017 at 11:17 PM

mysh
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

It is most likely due to wind. If it was a strong wind and the exp was 4 minutes then yes it will cause issues for the shot.

Mar 06, 2017 at 11:26 PM

hijazist
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

mysh wrote:
It is most likely due to wind. If it was a strong wind and the exp was 4 minutes then yes it will cause issues for the shot.

That's comforting. I'll redo the test once it gets less windy here. Any ideas to minimize wind shake and sensor noise?

Mar 06, 2017 at 11:29 PM

mysh
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

Not sure what type of tripod you use but you can weight it down. Most people use a bag of coins, sand stones etc. and hang it from the hook below the camera. Most tripods have a hook for this purpose.

It is very important to get exposure right with strong ND filters. You will see the difference when shooting with them. Anything under exposed will lead to heavy color casts.

Mar 06, 2017 at 11:34 PM

Desertcruiser
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

With some filters you have a loss of nearly 30% in sharpness.

Mar 06, 2017 at 11:36 PM

hijazist
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

Desertcruiser wrote:
With some filters you have a loss of nearly 30% in sharpness.

I've used Haida filters before, and I've never had an issue until now. These specific ones had raving reviews.

Mar 06, 2017 at 11:49 PM

mysh
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

its not the filters don't worry. You took a 4 minute exp. You need the right conditions for that

Mar 06, 2017 at 11:53 PM

hijazist
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

mysh wrote:
its not the filters don't worry. You took a 4 minute exp. You need the right conditions for that

Thanks for the suggestions Dave

I will look into getting some weights to attach to my tripod's hook. It's a Gitzo GT2530 with a Markins Q10 ballhead.

Mar 06, 2017 at 11:58 PM

morris
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

The trees are wind, the buildings a tripod or support system issue. I agree about weighing down the tripod though you should also do this test:

-Mount the camera on the tripod and head as you were using it
-push down hard on the lens hood or lens if no hood
-Now quickly release the down pressure
-The camera and lens should snap back to the original position with no vibration or movement

If there is any vibration or movement you need to debug your support system

Morris

Mar 07, 2017 at 07:37 AM

kaplah
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

hijazist wrote:
I've got the Haida filter system for my Tamron 15-30 along with a 15 stop filter, and a 6 stop one. My first try out with the filters was quite disappointing, but I am not sure if it's the filter itself, or if it was due to camera shake. It was quite windy at the beach, so could it have been shake caused by wind?
Do you want to be sure? Try a long exposure indoors with no-one moving around.

Mar 07, 2017 at 08:33 AM

hijazist
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

morris wrote:
The trees are wind, the buildings a tripod or support system issue. I agree about weighing down the tripod though you should also do this test:

-Mount the camera on the tripod and head as you were using it
-push down hard on the lens hood or lens if no hood
-Now quickly release the down pressure
-The camera and lens should snap back to the original position with no vibration or movement

If there is any vibration or movement you need to debug your support system

Morris

Thanks Morris for the suggestion! I will try it out tonight.

Mar 07, 2017 at 12:29 PM

hijazist
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

kaplah wrote:
Do you want to be sure? Try a long exposure indoors with no-one moving around.

I thought about that, but with a 15 Stop filter at F/8 the exposure time would be astronomical!

Mar 07, 2017 at 12:30 PM

kaplah
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

hijazist wrote:
I thought about that, but with a 15 Stop filter at F/8 the exposure time would be astronomical!

It would, so open it up and bump the ISO - you aren't testing for grain or depth of field, just blur / image degradation. Or point the lens out a window to a bright area.

Mar 07, 2017 at 12:32 PM

tntcorp
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

ha... no color cast, which i would expect from haida filter :-)

+1 due to wind.

Mar 07, 2017 at 01:41 PM

Lance B
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

Also, make sure VC is off just in case that could be causing an issue.

Mar 08, 2017 at 04:42 PM

hijazist
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

Lance B wrote:
Also, make sure VC is off just in case that could be causing an issue.

oooooooooooohhhh! I never thought of that, even though it'd be the first tip I'd tell anyone using a VC lens on a tripod

Mar 08, 2017 at 06:12 PM

Lance B
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Super Long Exposures - Shake or IQ Loss due to filter?

hijazist wrote:
oooooooooooohhhh! I never thought of that, even though it'd be the first tip I'd tell anyone using a VC lens on a tripod

I always forget too.

Mar 08, 2017 at 06:53 PM


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