Lacking image stabilization, are freehand shots pointless? Is a tripod always necessary? I normally try to rest any camera against a solid surface.
838696
I wouldn't say freehand shots are pointless, depending on the light conditions. Indoor, poorly lit shots might require bracing oneself rather well or a flash, but daylight-twilight shooting always turns out well. It has a f2.8 max aperture, so the calculations are pretty easy to do. here is a link to some handheld pictures in cloudy conditions. This is not my website, http://diglloyd.com/blog/2013/20130321_1-SigmaDP3M-examples.htmlI can endorse the following commentator's answer also, since he is a discerning Sigma vet, perhaps at times a bit too discerning. :)
1743243
Make yourself into a triangle- elbows sticking to your sides so there is no daylight between them. Legs spread out like a tripod. You do not need them way out just so you are steady. I. Know there will be times that you won't have time to set your self up until becomes a habit. Do not worry what others think or say. This might be an award picture that's what counts. Also no matter what way you are standing or sitting take a deep breath and hold it OR let your breath out then breath in again and CALMly let it out when have to. You can buy a tripod or a single tripod - looks like a stick. THE MAIN THING YOU HAVE TO DO THROUGH ANY OF THE ABOVE SUGGESTIONS - is push the button down slowly and keep the camera in place until you hear it click and be silent. Too many people are in a hurry and the picture looks it. Also if you push button halfway it will focus it then you push further. Remember you have a digital take several pics you are not wasting any film. Patience, perseverance, practice and prayer. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a tripod. I did not like it at first but with the 4 pc's I learned to Not let it get in my way. I shoot most of my photos on the fly. I take a lot of photos. Good luck and I hope you like this camera. I do. Don't forget the 4 p's
1974760
No stabilization. However, you would not really need it unless you are planning on shooting with very small apertures, in which case I'm not sure why one would buy this lens. This is an absolutely phenomenal lens BTW.
2020153
Consider priorities. I do not shoot videos. That eliminates many heads. Through many years of learning from "how to" pro books I seldom use image stabilization lens, saves many hundreds, but instead I use tripod or monopod 95%. This allows more cropping with greater detail. My budget and amateur desires limited to highly popular, with Amazon buyers, about $180 ball head. With practice my Manfrotto ball head works as per the high opinion of many other Amazon buyers. Based on always using extra support and 75% crops without loss of high detail on 13" x 19" prints around $200 ball head should balance results. Happy Trails Consider priorities. I do not shoot videos. That eliminates many heads. Through many years of learning from "how to" pro books I seldom use image stabilization lens, saves many hundreds, but instead I use tripod or monopod 95%. This allows more cropping with greater detail. My budget and amateur desires limited to highly popular, with Amazon buyers, about $180 ball head. With practice my Manfrotto ball head works as per the high opinion of many other Amazon buyers. Based on always using extra support and 75% crops without loss of high detail on 13" x 19" prints around... » Read More Consider priorities. I do not shoot videos. That eliminates many heads. Through many years of learning from "how to" pro books I seldom use image stabilization lens, saves many hundreds, but instead I use tripod or monopod 95%. This allows more cropping with greater detail. My budget and amateur desires limited to highly popular, with Amazon buyers, about $180 ball head. With practice my Manfrotto ball head works as per the high opinion of many other Amazon buyers. Based on always using extra support and 75% crops without loss of high detail on 13" x 19" prints around $200 ball head should balance results. Happy Trails « Show Less
229066
Hello i don´t really thing that is stable on its own, is the same that using the camera hand held, i recommend the use of a good tripod.
1180205
I have one with and one without. The answer is no, you don't have to but sometimes when walking a fair distance between shots it is nice to have the stabilization that this provides. I suggest trying it both ways.
1820311
Tripod is fine. Monopod you're risking shaky footage. Image is incomparable, but I use the 24-105 IS if I have to do handheld or monopod work.
1688967
Yeah, it comes with an adapter screw thread that makes it work without a tripod head. But i would strongly suggest using it with a tripod head. Otherwise the camera is only stuck in one position on the slider and it's direction is determined by where the thread of the screw stops. So this can make it very hard to set up your shot.
1218520
NO, it doesn't need two tripods. You do need to make sure you have a steady tripod for it to work well and be very deliberate in your movement. Having two tripods would definitely make it more stable, but you don't have to have two tripods to get a nice smooth shot.
2029650
No tripods, just the slider. Honestly, I regret this purchase. I'm forced to make several attempts at every shot! It's much too wavy. Take it from me, spend more money on a higher quality slider. Try Kanova instead. If you can swing it though, go for a Kessler or a Cinevate.
1544530
Hand held is my preference. A camera mounted on tripod will be well protected also. I use a remote shutter trip device if I use the tripod.
2263345
I never use the tripod and have not taken a fuzzy picture due to shakiness. This is also with the telephoto lens fully extended.
1686348
Hi William. I was able to get better hand held pictures by increasing my shutter speed. Sometimes it is not convenient to carry a tripod when the objective is to find a bee on a flower. By the time you get set up, the object is gone. I have two good tripods and will use them when I have to. I really appreciate your insight on VR and how it doesn't help in macro photography. I feel a lot better about my lens now and am getting some really good detailed shots with it. Thanks again. Ken
596249
I would just hold it steady. For me, it works fine, and, I don't have no tripod! I got a lovely view of the Orion Nebula without that much shake. And, after viewing for a while, I would put it down and rest my arms. And for uses with telescopes, OH YES:D
1201024
I have found it works well for me. I love it. I do recommend a tripod for stability, not as many blurred pictures due to shaky hands.
1847491
The optical image stabilization used for still images is very good. The sensor is an older version of current sensors (this is a $250 body) so it has some noise. The digital stabilization for video is about what one would expect. On a tripod, the camera gives excellent video. Hand-held, it isn't as good as a dedicated video camera (as one would expect). It's a good camera for the price IMO. A nice, impartial review can be found at dpreview dot com. I added an excellent Richard Franiec handgrip to the too-smooth body. (Google him if you're interested).
505057
Hi Silvia. I have not found it a problem at all. Without the use of a tripod, nobody is perfectly steady. My shots come out clear. I have no complaints.