4x5 camera for long exposure

[Dan Fromm]

Hmm. The OP is talking about 4 to 8 minute exposures in daylight, not that that matters. A few seconds of vibration should hardly register.

[Pfsor]

Hmm. The OP is talking about 4 to 8 minute exposures in daylight, not that that matters. A few seconds of vibration should hardly register.

Sure, if the vibration calms down and the vibrating parts come to their original optical position, then a few seconds of vibration don't register. That is surely not case of a vibrating, sliding tripod on snow, on sand or even on a bending floor plank. Once the tripod slides deeper to the snow, sand or the floor plank bends because of your steps it is impossible for the tripod to find its original position, hence the optical path is changed and the picture is consequently ruined.

[Serge S]

This past Fall I took a number of long exposure photos (2 to 3 minutes / by the ocean) & although it was quite windy the negatives came out sharp.
The dark cloth was something I needed to minimize as it also as it tended to flap around if I was not careful.
I could shield the bellows to some degree with my body or an umbrella.
Also waited for the wind drop in intensity as it went in ebbs & flows.
The tripod did not move but the bellows did vibrate a bit a times I'm sure, even if just a minimal amount.