Why are long exposures soft at 200mm on a tripod with one lens but sharp with another?
Asked 10/15/2018
4 views
2 answers
0
I'm using a Canon 1300D with a Tamron 18-200mm lens. At 200mm, shots with 5-second or longer shutter speeds often come out soft or blurry even though the camera is on a tripod. With the same settings, my Canon 55-250mm lens gives much sharper results.
At shutter speeds shorter than about 5 seconds, the Tamron images look crisp. Does this suggest a fault with the Tamron lens, or could it be caused by technique or stabilization settings?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
3
Sample images would be awesome - as there's a few questions here that might help you:
How can I prevent blurred images when using a tripod?
My own hunch is what WayneF commented: you're probably getting a bit of wobble from pressing the shutter release button. If this is actually the case, you've got options!
- Look into a remote shutter release
- Use your cameras timer mode - if there is a short and a long timer, the short should be sufficient
- Use mirror lock-up with either of the two methods above. The first shutter release will trigger the mirror to lock up. The second will trip the exposure. This allows you to add some time in between the mirror slapping and the exposure, further reducing any possible movement.
This answer, however, is highly speculative - and I'd really like to update it with something more relevant to you. So, please edit your question and add some samples to it! Thanks!
Originally by user67377. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67377
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
It may not mean the Tamron is faulty. The most likely causes are vibration and stabilization behavior during long tripod exposures.
If image stabilization is enabled on the Tamron, try turning it off when the camera is on a tripod. Some stabilization systems can react to tiny or phantom movements and actually soften long exposures.
Also reduce any vibration from the camera itself:
- use the self-timer or a remote release instead of pressing the shutter directly
- enable mirror lock-up if your camera offers it
- make sure the tripod is rigid and fully tightened
- add weight or improve tripod stability if needed
At 200mm, even small movements are magnified, so a lens/body/tripod combination can behave differently from another lens under the same settings.
Since your shorter exposures are sharp and another lens works better, this points more toward stabilization or vibration than an obvious optical defect. Testing with stabilization off, timer/remote release, and mirror lock-up should help confirm the cause.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI7y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Why is my Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS blurry at longer focal lengths?
Why do city lights look soft or blob-like in long-exposure night cityscapes?
Should Tamron VC be turned off for long exposures on a tripod?
Which telephoto upgrade is best from a Canon 55-250mm for birds and nature on a Canon 700D?
Does image stabilization help at very fast shutter speeds, especially for birds in flight?