Unfortunately, things are not that simple. No two people are alike or are able to steady a lens with the same rate of success. Also, standards differ. What may be considered acceptably sharp to someone is unsharp to another. Good technique can be acquired and improved with practice. Use a tripod whenever possible. I shoot with a 5D and never want to go past ISO 800 as the noise is objectionable .... to me.
Allan Bruce wrote:
If I can handhold a 300mm f/4 and a 500mm f/6.3 then I am sure you can handhold a 135mm f/2
pthompson wrote:
[Now, the long, light lens that I cannot hold steady no matter what is the 70-200 4.0L - which is odd, because I have never seen anyone suggest that is a problem for them...]
5D, 135L, 1/80 s.. 2.0, ISO 800...handheld:
Well, Peter, I also find the 70-200 f/4 (non-IS) rather hard to hold steady for similar reasons outlined above. Ironically, I seem to have only a moderate difficulty holding the 500 f/4.5L steady at shutter speeds close to the 1/FL rule. Similarly, no big problem with the 400 f/5.6 and 300 f/4 non-IS as long as they are mounted on my MkIIN.
PetKal wrote:
BTW, that's a nice well lit portrait.
Thanks! My special portrait lighting recipe: the world's ugliest florescent ceiling fixture with a kitchen sink window for fill. Color balance is a challenge...thank the Lord for ACR and the temp, recovery, and fill sliders.
lexvo, dst.zero - Those are both knockout pictures!!
This is one of the reasons I am waiting on this lens. I have seriously considered it many times, but since I have convinced myself Canon will implement an IS system (yes, thats right...IS) into this lens or its successor I have decided to wait it out a bit longer. This statement is going to rub some people the wrong way, but a 135 f/2 IS with the same IQ would absolutely rock not only my socks, but the socks of countless others. Heres to hoping.
Wile everyone has made good points and rule of thumb their is more to it.
I have been shooting the 100-400 for couple years now. I can get amazing handheld shots with this IS lens. I have shot this long lens so long that I have developed some "Technique".
I reciently purchased the 135L also and reconized instantly how much more difucult a lens like this can be to shoot. Its been 2 or 3 weeks now and my confidence is much improved as my Technique has improved.
The shallow depth of field is also a factor along with light conditions as mentioned. I dont see allot of "Exact" talk on technique frequently and will try and discribed what Im doing. Hopefuly others will be able to support or etify.
Basicly im working on "Finger" control on the shutter release button. Im pressing half way and aquiring focus, aquiring focus, aquiring focus and then timing a good release when it feels right. Some shots because I know that DOF is shallow, I aquiring focus,aquiring focus,aquiring focus / bang take the shot sec focus locks. This should help with head bob ect where the split second you aquire desired focus you are shooting. It is almost like shooting a bench gun less breathing Technique, but the triger control is still there.
I can say with out a doubt my handhold "Technique" has improved shooting this lens. Best I can explain it for you at the moment. I pick up my 100-400 now and its like a rock.
Just work on your technique, and no matter who you are low light conditions can be dificult.
Waiting foe IS on this lens is pretty risky and considering the other much higher priorities is probably a recipe in frustration. Get this awesome lens and don't worry about the hand holdability IMO.
Ive never used 5D, but at least with 1D there are no problems shooting with 135.
1Ds2, 135L, f5.6, 1/45, one handed!
Hold on. Your lens must have been at least 3 ft away from your other hand with the bug on it.....which is quite a strech for average built people. Then you have compensated for the movement not only of your lens but also of your other hand with the target, all at 1/45 sec ?
All I can say is you'd be wasting money on any image stabilized lens.
PetKal wroteHold on. Your lens must have been at least 3 ft away from your other hand with the bug on it.....which is quite a strech for average built people. Then you have compensated for the movement not only of your lens but also of your other hand with the target, all at 1/45 sec ?
All I can say is you'd be wasting money on any image stabilized lens.
It had an extension tube, but cant remember if it was 12 or 25mm.
i've LONG thought that on a camera like the 5D, the 70-200/2.8L IS is a much more capable hand-held lens than the 135L, because you get more of a gain from the IS than the one-stop improvement of the 135L. I've always been slightly dissatisfied w/ the low light performance of that lens (135).
