M8 or R-D1 owners - sensor size question

[dcsang]

As someone who owns a couple digital cams (Canon 5D, 20D, Fuji F31) I know that the smaller the sensor is, usually, the longer the shutter speed that I can handhold without experiencing any "camera shake" or "mirror shake". For example.. the F31, I have no issue hand holding at 1/10, the 20D holding dwn to 1/30, and the 5D to about 1/45.

That said, and knowing that with a full frame film rangefinder (i.e. M6, Bessa R, Nikon S3, etc.) I can usually go down to about 1/8 second and sometimes lower handheld; have you, owners of the digital rangefinders, found that you too can now expose for longer periods of time due to the smaller sensor size as compared to film ?

This is more a curiosity than anything..

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Sailor Ted]

Camera: Leica Camera AG M8
Exposure: 0.167 sec (1/6)
ISO Speed: 640
Exposure Bias: 0/65536 EV

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=377226512&size=l

Camera: Epson R-D1s
Exposure: 0.056 sec (1/18)
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 0/10 EV

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/323715269_a2f255a83b_b.jpg

 

[Topdog1]

I have no idea of my own experience with this, but it seems counter-intuitive. A smaller sensor should give a longer effective lens, hence more magnification, hence GREATER camera shake.

/Ira

 

[ferider]

Interesting question.

I have no idea of my own experience with this, but it seems counter-intuitive. A smaller sensor should give a longer effective lens, hence more magnification, hence GREATER camera shake.

/Ira

That is true if you keep the real focal length constant and vary the sensor size. But if you keep the effective focal length constant instead, you get higher DOF for smaller sensor size, and better hand-holding ability.

Roland.

 

[black_box]

With such slow speeds I think there are possibly a few too many variables.

This, http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/black_box/DSC_0183.jpg

was held at 1/10 @ 28mm on a Nikon D70 while down on one knee, whereas my 20D @ 28mm, with its more prominant mirror snap, wouldnt give me such a good time at 1/10th, unless standing up and taking my time to steady.

 

[dcsang]

Interesting question.



That is true if you keep the real focal length constant and vary the sensor size. But if you keep the effective focal length constant instead, you get higher DOF for smaller sensor size, and better hand-holding ability.

Roland.

Roland,

thanks for putting into words what was in my head 🙂
That's exactly it.

So basically.. because the M8 and R-D1 have smaller than full frame sensors, would they not have even better hand held capabilities than their full frame counterparts?

Dave

 

[furcafe]

Yes, though possibly not by much. However, I have heard from some Nikon shooters that the crop factor can be boon in certain situations, e.g., when they need a narrow FoV for sports shooting, etc., precisely because of the extra DoF & increase in handholdability.

Roland,

thanks for putting into words what was in my head 🙂
That's exactly it.

So basically.. because the M8 and R-D1 have smaller than full frame sensors, would they not have even better hand held capabilities than their full frame counterparts?

Dave