A real life mystery that turned out well.

[Dennis S]

Set the scene: We have traveled to monument valley, and I am really looking forward to taking a lot of pictures. Very often the most dramatic pictures of this kind are taken in the early morning or late afternoon. In order to get good pictures under these low light conditions, the camera needs to be mounted on a tripod so there is no camera movement during the unusually long exposure rerquired for these conditions. In addition to the tripod, you need a cable to snap the picture. (Touching the camera with your finger to snap the pictures causes enough movement to ruin the exposure).

Getting my equipment ready, I realized that I had forgotten the cable. After mentally kicking myself for forgetting the cable I took a few moments to assess my situation. I have a relatively new, and nice digital camera, with the usual bells and whistles. All of a sudden, I realized I already had everything I needed to take my pictures. The mystery-what is there about your average new digital (and probably film) camera that handles the problem perfectly? Don't make the mistake of thinking too hard-this is a simple one once it occurs to you.

 

[Nancy]

timer?----

 

[aussie girl]

shakeproof-anti blur mode or image stabiliser ???

 

[Dennis S]

(Timer). Exactly, Nancy. It saved the day. I am sitting in a great hotel, with WI/FI, but so far can't post any pictures. I have tried everything I can think of. If anyone has any ideas how that can be done, I would love to send out some pictures. This place has made a big impression on me. The views through the lobby window, the windows in the elevator, and the deck attached to our room could knock your socks off.

 

[Dennis S]

shakeproof-anti blur mode or image stabiliser

I am familiar with a type of lens that helps stabilize the picture. In the States, I think they are mostly referred as a vibration reduction lens, e.g. a VR lens. However, I don't have one of this at this time.

 

[Woodbutcher]

I once got flown out to Frankfurt (Germany) to photogragh the SAS Scandinavian Air services huge towering and modern hotel.
The best vantage point was from ther next tower, a massive tall block of offices.
My art director, assistant, a German aid, me and a full outfit of 5x4 inch plate camera, related and relentless stuff made our way up to the top of this other building which looked across at the SAS hotel. Found an office with a good view point and I set about setting up my camera as my assistant loaded some dark slides with film and art director looked on. I had a very heavy duty tripod which I set up first, when I had one of those moments of realisation, I knew in my mind it was a disaster but also new I couldn't say a word to anyone... Like all those sort of photo shoots there's a lot of money involved ! Three men flown first class to Germany for a couple of days, 5 star hotel and loads of expenses !! Looking at the top of the tripod I knew right away that i'd forgotten the little plate that clipped onto it and joined the camera to the tripod !!!! I had one but knew it was for a different format camera, not a stonking great plate camera !!?
I was probably white as a sheet as the art director asked if everything was ok ?
Yep no problem I said very convincingly, asking him to gather up some books to build a sort of a camera stand on the sill of an open office window goodness knows how many floors above road level !
I ended up half hand holding and half propping this big bellow mono rail camera on the office window and looking like it was a good plan !!!
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail... It was a huge lesson !
I'm glad you figured out you didn't need a cable release though... I'd have locked up the mirror, used the timer and of course a tripod !

 

[Nancy]

I use the timer all the time. I take tons of close up photos because I sell online in several venues. That plus the tripod saves the day for close ups.

My camera also has a stabilizer, but it isn't sensitive enough for really good close up work.

 

[Nancy]

does your camera have a removable card and does your laptop have an access for that card? If you have printer software on your laptop, you should be able to download pics from the inserted card. I have Lexmark software that can do that.

 

[Dennis S]

Nancy-I take my laptop most everywhere I take my camera. I am definitely still learning, and I find that when I can (nearly) immediately download my pictures to the laptop it becomes much easier to learn from my mistakes.

Woodbutcher--I didn't mention it in my first post, but the other thing I forgot was the exact piece you described. I enjoyed reading your "work around".

I was able to buy, in a remote part of Utah, a very flimsy substitute tripod. As I have used it, I stand there with my hands below the camera just in case. So far no disasters or close calls.

 

[njean]

Can't wait to see the photos from Monument Valley when you get back Dennis! The views there are awesome! Bill & I went thru there many, many years ago & I have some very fond memories of the area!

P.S. The new zoom lens I just got for my camera has an "image stabilizer" which seems to be working out quiet well for me. Here is a picture I took some weeks back of the moon shining thru the pecans trees......the moon looks kind of fuzzy but I kind of like the look....but then, I'm kind of querky anyway!

View attachment 6615

 

[Dennis S]

Jean--How powerful is your zoom? You will really notice the value of the stabilizer as you zoom in on far away objects.

 

[njean]

Jean--How powerful is your zoom? You will really notice the value of the stabilizer as you zoom in on far away objects.

I got a EF 55-250 but I'm wanting to upgrade to a 75-300; it's actually cheaper than the one I just got. It will be a while though before I do.