Shakey Focus Pulling! RAGE!

T

tommygdawg

Well-known member
This is something I've dealt with on multiple cameras and two different tripod setups, so I didn't really think it should go under a gear-specific section, though I think it may be a problem with the tripods/mounts. I'm currently shooting on an AF100, was shooting a GH1, and every time I friggin even lightly touch a lens to focus on something, I get a ton of micro jitters in my image. The same occurs while trying to pan or grab the tripod handle. I figured it was because my rig wasn't heavy enough, but the AF100 is heavier than my GH1 and I still have issues. Has anyone else experienced this? How do you fix it?

This is a quick example I just shot of what I'm talking about. It's frustrating as all get out.
 
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A couple of my adapters do have some play but most are very solid and the jitters feel like it's more the whole thing that's jittering, not just jitters from the lens forward. In this particular case it was a long and heavy Gold Crown Formula V 75-210mm I got used a while back for $18 bucks. It's not cinema glass, but it allows me to get in super close on that rare occasion when I need to. The weight of the lens on the front of the camera may be part of the reason, but I also experience this (perhaps not such a grand scale) with smaller lenses as well. Common sense tells me I just need a heavier rig to offset the jitters in my hand, but jeese how heavy does it have to be?
 
it's likely wobble from a very light tripod system. I bet if that was on ronford baker standards and an oconnor 2060, it would not wiggle like that... unless it is the lens mount... but I still think it's a tripod stability thing.

Sometimes when I use my small tripod (Manfrotto 503hdv) on really thin and light sticks, I get vibration on really long focal length lenses.
 
I'll look into a lens support for longer lenses. Unfortunately, I don't have gazillions to spend on sticks. I have a 504HD head, can you recommend sticks that won't put me in debt farther than college loans? :)
 
Well "gazillions" is subjective so it may not be hyperbole for everyone :P I'll add a new set of sticks to my list then. I'm never done buying stuff...
 
Before you spend money, check the balance of your rig on the tripod. The center of gravity of the whole camera/lens/rails system must be directly above the pivot point of the tripod. Being off center (either fore and aft or side to side) changes the resonance characteristics of the system and can make it more sensitive to handling jitters. Also, make sure all the mounting points (camera plate, rails and baseplate, etc.) are as tight and firm as you can make them.

- Greg
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
I'd recommend renting a very high quality and heavy duty tripod and testing this again. Just to be sure you've found the culprit.
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Or just take your rig into a shop and try out the tripods for free! I do this all the time although I feel a bit bad when I then go and buy the expensive stuff online. I at least buy a memory card or something from time to time because I get good advice from the guys at my local camera shop.
 
You may have answered a question you posted on another part of this forum regarding...baseplates. You said you didnt understand why they are so expensive.

Your whole rig ( lens, camera, head and legs) needs to be solid and stable.

I assume you are mounting off that little DLSR baseplate when you shot this jerky
video.

You also need a bit of "hand" technique (on lens and pan bar) and you also need to check the lens is not worn internally in the focus and zoom mechanism.
 
Shooter said:
You may have answered a question you posted on another part of this forum regarding...baseplates. You said you didnt understand why they are so expensive.
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I think so too. I had similar shake to that, which did come from my baseplate (a Gini i was about to exchange anyway).
 
If you're using still camera lenses, they often have this problem. They're not designed to stay perfectly aligned when focusing (they don't need to be to shoot stills) and many have a little play. I've got Nikon lenses that do this on my D7000; it's easy to test. Focus as close as possible on an object. Click into magnified view and touch the lens, focus it, etc. Even with a rock solid support setup, you'll often see some play, which is really apparent in closeups.

Take a look at that issue before dropping a lot of cash on support - the best tripod in the world won't fix that issue.
 
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