Advice please for non os/vr zoom lens

[dexter35yrs]

hi all i am looking for advice when using non os/vr zoom lenses in particular 120-300 2.8 - what techniques would you recommend for getting sharper images. many thanks

 

[artyman]

Use a tripod or some other means of support, higher shutter speeds or combo of both. The general rule of thumb for minimum shutter speed was 1/focal length so 1/300 or 1/480 if on a crop sensor.

 

[Chris Wilson]

Hi Derek.
You could also try stopping down the lens a little - very few lenses are at their optimum wide open.
Hope that helps
cheers, cw

 

[dexter35yrs]

Thanks for the replies

 

[Tintin124]

You can always try craddling lens with the palm of your hand. I find I take much steadier shots that way. If a tripod or monopod is not an option.

 

[GeeJay57]

Shutter speed should be at least 1/focal length or faster where at all possible unless panning of course. And because it's a biggish lens, even at 120mm, I would think of 1/250th as the slowest shutter unless forced into to something slower.
Monopod is useful in some situations, tripod for others.
Depends on what you want to shoot, but I put a lens protection jacket on my non OS 300mm on the odd wall or fence without damaging the lens (or the wall)
Stopping down helps with sharpness, but hurts shutter speed, so your choice..

 

[dexter35yrs]

ok thank you - i'll mainly be shooting birds/wildlife i'll have to practise...

 

[Nod]

Unless you're going to be constantly on the move, a tripod with a gimbal head then.

 

[dexter35yrs]

thanks nod

 

[BBR]

If you are not able to use a tripod/monopod you could use a bean bag, easy to carry when walking around the countryside, and a strap with velcro on ends which you can put around branches and use as a sling. I actually used a belt wrapped around a small tree to hold my 2/400m steady when I found myself without a tripod once.
Generally though I find a mono pod works best for birds/wildlife bearing in mind you need a reasonable shutter speed to avoid motion blur anyway.

 

[artyman]

Another easy solution is the string and nut trick. Attach a large bolt or something you can stand on to a piece of string with a loop in it large enough to go round your lens, adjust the length so that it is in tension when standing on the bolt with the camera to your eye, keep the upward pressure and it will help stabilise your lens. You could be sophisticated and have a threaded ring to attach to the lens foot tripod thread, assuming it has one.