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Thread: Long exposure with light camera

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    Long exposure with light camera

    Hello,
    I'm interested about the 4x5 by Intrepid, but I often do long exposures (5 to 8 mins).
    I thought the camera might be too light and not stable enough for it. I've used a Toyo 45A before, and never had an issue.

    Does anyone have experience with the Intrepid?

  2. #2
    Drew Wiley
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    Re: Long exposure with light camera

    It all relative to the mass and stability to what's under it. A good solid tripod support is important. Lighter camera sometimes need heavier tripods to do the same job well. But if you need to save carry weight with respect to the tripod itself, bring along a mesh bag you can put rocks in, and suspend from a hook beneath the tripod head. If using a tripod head, make sure it is solid and vibration-free too. Then, of course, you're going to have more of an issue with longer lenses and bellows extensions than shorter ones. The solidity of the ground beneath is an issue, and whether there is wind of not. You know doubt already know much of this. But going lightweight camera-wise always makes it trickier.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    3,901

    Re: Long exposure with light camera

    So much marketing fashion and want to believe the lowest weight field foldable view camera is best, then results in the need for a weightier tripod or camera support to help stabilize the lowest weight camera...

    Overly focused in a single aspect of a much more complex system required to create GOOD view camera images.


    Bernice

  4. #4

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    Re: Long exposure with light camera

    There's a good deal of discussion about the Intrepid, including posts by an owner, in this recent thread: https://www.largeformatphotography.i...-field-cameras

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
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    Oregon now (formerly Austria)
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    Re: Long exposure with light camera

    I don't know about the Intrepid, but I manage sharp long exposures on a number of lightweight cameras (Wista DX, approx. 3 lbs, Horseman Woodman, less than 3 lbs, Wista SW, slightly more than 3lbs). And, I use a pretty lightweight tripod in the field as well.

    For me, a good tripod head that locks securely is more important than the weight of the tripod itself. Cheap heads have a lot of play/spring in them, which tends to amplify instead of dampen vibrations, and there's nothing more frustrating than having your carefully-chosen camera position slip because of a head that won't lock securely. The same with focus locks on your camera if you are pointing it down. And then there's film movement; tapping the holder a time or two to get the film seated at the bottom of the holder in whatever orientation you are using solves this pretty well.

    If the camera (and the subject) isn't moving, the images will be sharp. Identifying and avoiding causes of camera movement is the trick. The bag of rocks Drew refers to is good for dealing with wind-caused camera shake. Avoiding vibrations from traffic (and even your own walking around), not to mention shock waves from big rigs driving by can be a problem when set up next to roads or streets. Waiting for lulls in the traffic works as does dividing a long exposure into smaller increments. Sometimes I'll turn a five-minute exposure into six or seven 20-30 second exposures (or even shorter) to make sure the shutter is open when the camera is still and closed when it's not. A good cable release or a deft hand with the lens cap is important with this technique. In windy situations, setting up in a sheltered place or using a wind block can be really helpful. I've used a small umbrella to block wind several times with good results. Sometimes releasing the shutter can cause a bit of movement. In this case, making a longer exposure can actually be helpful; the bit of movement you get releasing the shutter or removing the lens cap becomes an insignificantly small fraction of the total exposure.

    Set up carefully, lock things down well, don't kick your tripod during exposures, watch out for vibrations and deal with them and you should be fine.

    Best,

    Doremus

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Mar 2002
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    now in Tucson, AZ
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    3,613

    Re: Long exposure with light camera

    Long before I knew that it wasn't possible, I made successful pictures with exposures several minutes long- using a 3.5lb 4x5 camera and an inadequate tripod. (And for that matter, a lens not designed for the format.)
    As so often, Doremus' advice is good. And an umbrella to is a useful tool as a shield from the wind, if there is any.

  7. #7

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    Re: Long exposure with light camera

    I appear to be in a minority on this, but I've never owned a tripod with a centre column and I figure that mounting a large format camera on a raised centre column is just asking for trouble

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Tennessee
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    Re: Long exposure with light camera

    Quote Originally Posted by r.e. View Post
    I appear to be in a minority on this, but I've never owned a tripod with a centre column and I figure that mounting a large format camera on a raised centre column is just asking for trouble
    It depends on how high you raise the camera, 1,2,3 inches won't create much vibration but fully expending the post will act like a flag in the wind. To me, it is much better to have an oversized heavyish tripod that allows for the height needed without using the center column. Using a weight, e.i. bag-o-rocks, gear bag on the bottom of the column is great unless it starts swinging in the wind. Needless to say if the wind is strong enough to swing the weight it might be very difficult to get a sharp exposure.

  9. #9
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Dec 2011
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    22,319

    Re: Long exposure with light camera

    I add weight to my way too light Wanderlust

    by using heavy Horseman QR as base too, posted yesterday here

    https://www.largeformatphotography.i...Camera-ARE-Box
    Tin Can

  10. #10
    Corran's Avatar
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    Re: Long exposure with light camera

    There are no issues with long exposures on an Intrepid compared to any camera, assuming a reasonable tripod or low wind.
    Bryan | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Portfolio
    All comments and thoughtful critique welcome

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