"In Photography, timing IS everything"
A-700 does high speed Photography
By: C. Garrard 1-29-2008
Tamron 90mm 2.8 Di Lens provided by www.alphalensrental.com
Hello folks!
Did some experimenting today with the A-700 at its highest shutter speeds 1/6400th sec - 1/8000th sec only. I wanted to see what could be caught at these shutter speeds incorporating the A-700's max SS and 5FPS. This is my first attempt at such a test, and I will do another (cuz this was a blast!... uh no pun intended) with higher quality photos and a more controlled environment next time around.
The purpose of this test was to see what you can do with the A-700 @ its highest shutter speeds, in other words.. press its boundaries a little bit. However, anyone can duplicate this test setup at home as long as you have a safe area to shoot (always have a safe backstop) and the basic requirements outlined below. I wanted to give the shooter (doesn't that term really apply here?) a basic setup that doesn't cost a ton. Practice makes perfect in this case.
My basic everyday equipment list is as follows:
-Picnic table
-Sony A-700
-Tamron 90mm F2.8 (a bright lens is best for this test)
-Slik Sprint Pro tripod (center column removed)
-Crossman Classic Model 1377 Air Pistol
-Pellets
-15 Baby carrots
-15 Red grapes
-exacto knife and a base of steel sockets to hold it upright (you can use whatever you want there obviously).
-Favorite coffee cup (please don't take offense to it!) filled with Bolivian home brewed coffee
Settings:
ISO 1000-1600, Auto white balance, Shutter Speeds 1/6400-1/8000th sec. Drive mode set to Continuous Advance.
Too much light?
Did you use a nd filter? It seams that iso 1000 or greater even with a high shutter speed would result in too much light. I need to try this I guess. Anyway, cool test! I think I'll try this with my pellet rifle while holding the [wired = more reliable] remote. If I press it at the same time as the trigger it should work. Yes? (Damn, and I just gave up coffee too... we'll see how long that last)
Gene
Hey thanks! and no nd filter
It was overcast and I stopped down until my exposure was at the SS I wanted. I varied ISO too, from 1000 to 1600 :).
I need a wired remote for sure.
As far as capturing is concerned, I recommend firing a sequence of shots at 5FPS and firing the pellet gun in between that sequence. Keep repeating it till you get a "keeper".
Good luck please post your results!
Carl
Great tests.. I would like
Great tests.. I would like to see something done with .45 ACP ! Any one up for it? George
Hi George
I'd have used .45 ACP on three conditions, one, if I had one (I only have a .40 HK USP, two the A700 went up to 1/24,000th of a second, and 3, if I shot at a range :).
Otherwise, screw taking pictures, lets go out and shoot! (targets of course). ;)!
Carl