Long ago, before IS lenses, I developed good habits for holding a 35 steady. I had too, since I was always pushing the limits of ASA 400 Tri-X and using relatively slow shutter speeds for candids. But, with a DSLR, I've grown quite accustomed to using IS lenses. For the past two years, the 70-200 f2.8 II has been my most used lens, supplemented by the 24-105 f4 during the past year. Both are used on 5D3 bodies.
With last week's sales and rebate, I took the plunge and ordered the 24-70 2.8 II. It arrived today. So, the first thing that I try is comparing it with the 24-105, both at 70mm and taking shots at a wall calendar -- my makeshift test chart. To my surprise, I'm not as steady as I thought I was. With the 24-70, it was a challenge to hold the center focus point steady against intersecting lines on the calendar. It seemed clear that I've been spoiled by IS.
For hand-held, non-IS shots, I've always adopted the minimum shutter speed = inverse focal length rule of thumb. At 1/80 second (and 70mm), most test shots were sharp, but it wasn't consistent. Some shots were blurry. In contrast, the 24-105 at 70mm and 1/40 with IS on was more consistently sharp. (To be fair, a few of the sharp images from the 24-70 were sharper than any of those from the 24-105).
Shooting candids and sports with shutter speeds of 1/200 and up was a key motivation for the purchase -- plus, I'm looking forward to its renowned IQ. But, I have a question. For those who own this lens, what's your most comfortable hand-held slow shutter speed at 70mm (assuming a sufficiently stable subject)?
With last week's sales and rebate, I took the plunge and ordered the 24-70 2.8 II. It arrived today. So, the first thing that I try is comparing it with the 24-105, both at 70mm and taking shots at a wall calendar -- my makeshift test chart. To my surprise, I'm not as steady as I thought I was. With the 24-70, it was a challenge to hold the center focus point steady against intersecting lines on the calendar. It seemed clear that I've been spoiled by IS.
For hand-held, non-IS shots, I've always adopted the minimum shutter speed = inverse focal length rule of thumb. At 1/80 second (and 70mm), most test shots were sharp, but it wasn't consistent. Some shots were blurry. In contrast, the 24-105 at 70mm and 1/40 with IS on was more consistently sharp. (To be fair, a few of the sharp images from the 24-70 were sharper than any of those from the 24-105).
Shooting candids and sports with shutter speeds of 1/200 and up was a key motivation for the purchase -- plus, I'm looking forward to its renowned IQ. But, I have a question. For those who own this lens, what's your most comfortable hand-held slow shutter speed at 70mm (assuming a sufficiently stable subject)?