Sharpness, shutter speed and weight

[Webster]

So, after spending a month in the gym buffing up enough to be able to pick up my new 1D MKII (that's one heavy camera), I took it out for a stroll. It being summer in San Francisco, the fog had settled in, and there was plenty of opportunity for both high ISO and long shutter speed shots. The high ISO results were wonderful, as expected. The surprising thing was how good handheld long shutter speed shots were. I don't think there's anything in that camera designed to reduce camera shake - that's the job of the IS lens. The focal length multiplier is less, but I got some usable half-second shots! So it got me thinking, and now I'm wondering:

Does the weight (mass) of a camera reduce camera motion, and allow the use of handheld shots at a longer shutter speed?

Perhaps this is one of those Duhh, no brainers that I've somehow managed to miss all these years?

[Tapeman]

I think it does help a little, but not at one half second. Probably in the fifteenth to thirtyith second range it helps to minimize the mirror shake a little.

[Andy_T]

Perhaps this is one of those Duhh, no brainers that I've somehow managed to miss all these years?

So I would think :lol:

On the other hand, maybe your stronger muscles help you to keep it steadier. But half a second shots ... that's something :shock:

Best regards,
Andy

[timmyquest]

My 300D out of the box was really nice and lite. But when i added the grip, aside from the added bulk, the weight helped me a ton. I dont know if it's so much that there is weight, but where the weight is.

When it's located in your hand the center of gravity isnt such that the lens rocks the camera up and down. This is especially true with fast telephoto lenses.

I dont know if i could handhold my 70-200 2.8 without the grip.

[scottbergerphoto]

The 1D Mark II is really excellent for hand held, low light, high iso photography. The weight and grip help to stabilize it.

These were shot at ISO 1600, han held on a moving tour boat:

http://www.pbase.com/image/31607976.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/31607975.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/31607975.jpg

Regards,
Scott

[Steven M. Anthony]

I think it must because I've noticed that with my 10D--which is a lot heavier than my old Sony 707. I'm not getting any younger, but my hand seems steadier--I can get a very decent (okay, certainly not pin sharp) shot at 1/3rd or even 1/4 sec. I also find if I set the camera for continuous shooting, and squeeze off 2 or 3 shots at once, the 2nd & 3rd shots are sharper.