Your Opinion: Nikon SLR with lowest camera shake?

[DominikDUK]

The Nikon on the tripod. Loud but not necesseraly heavy vibrations Nikon F of Nikon F2 with Mirror lock Up.

 

[Frank Petronio]

If it mattered then every shot from a FM-FE series would be a jiggly mass of Jello!

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Probably an N80. The ones I owned were very, very quiet. And the shutter/mirror slap is spread out through the whole body, rather than just the mirror area. It's an exaggeration to call it mirror slap, because the N80 is as quiet as a Leica (and lots quieter than the little screwmount Leicas).

I'd probably agree. I had an F80, and always felt it had the smoothest mirror+drive of any camera i've owned — with Contax RX and Arias also in the discussion. I've also had an F100, F6, F4, FE2. Even though i would 'vote' for the F80, i don't think there's anything significant between it and the F6 or F100. And, even as the FE2 feels significantly different, its mirror impact feels delicate in its own way — so, who knows?

I also kinda believe buying a camera based on this criteria is a wasted effort. Any small half or full stop of difference between camera models is not something that can be relied upon. If shake is this much of an issue, you need more light or faster film or faster glass. Or a tripod.


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[Calzone]

If shake is this much of an issue, you need more light or faster film or faster glass. Or a tripod.


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Or perhaps a MF camera with a leaf shutter.😀

Cal

 

[Vincent.G]

I think it depends on the type of lens you mount onto the body. Some lenses balances well with the body and can help handling.

Nonetheless, I have used a FM2, FM3A, F80, F3 and F5 so cannot comment on the rest. Among them, the Nikon F5 has a surprising advantage because of its ergonomics and heft. Balances nicely with most lenses I used.

The F80 I used have the smoothest damping but it is too light.

 

[Rob-F]

Not trying to bring logic into a thread meant for entertainment

No, I meant it for information. I really want to know what some experienced photographers think about this. I have some data, but I want to see how it compares with observations drawn from the experience of others. Thanks for the interest and the votes so far.

 

[MikeL]

No, I meant it for information. I really want to know what some experienced photographers think about this. I have some data, but I want to see how it compares with observations drawn from the experience of others. Thanks for the interest and the votes so far.

Okay, sorry Rob, I'll delete my comment. I'm not an experienced photographer. While the S2 sounded/felt more 'shakey' than the S3 or SP, none were more consistent at slow speeds than the others. I haven't noticed a significant difference between the rangefinders and an F2 or Spotmatic. Longer focal length, my movement working the shutter, and subject movement give me most of my problems. Jamming the camera against my skull helps.

 

[Rob-F]

Funny, I thought I clicked on the option for the poll to remain in effect indefinitely, yet it's slated to close after only a few weeks. I wonder if I made a mistake, or the mods thought it wasn't worthy of staying up longer?

 

[Rob-F]

I'm surprised that the FE2 didn't get a higher rating. It has a counter-rotating counterweight that is supposed to cancel (or at least reduce) mirror impact.

It does make sense that the heavier cameras such as the F3 would exhibit less unsharpness from mirror movement, compared to lighter cameras.

I wonder how the FM3a compares in this respect.

 

[nikonosguy]

my f4s handheld with 75-300 af lens