Using - or not - mirror lock-up with a long lens

[JCL]

I recall reading somewhere that using Mirror Lock-up (Customer Function Cfn12) with a supertelephoto (in my case, 400 DO IS USM with 20D) is a good thing, in that it reduces vibrations and thus increases IQ. But when i tried it recently for the first time, I hit two disadvantages: a) you can only take a single frame at a time and b) you have to depress the shutter twice to take a picture, which is next to pointless for bird photography.

Am I doing something wrong? Or is mirror lock-up not what i thought it was cracked up to be?

James

[PWG]

Mirror lock up does reduce bounce caused by the movement of the mirror, but as you say it has to be on a tripod and with a still subject. Using a cable release will reduce the movement of the camera even further.

It's not much good for flight shots though 3:-) :-O

[postcardcv]

I don't think that MLU is much good for most bird photography, if the birds on the move it's not easy to use. I would have thought that your IS lens would have countered any shake for the mirror, so doubt MLU would be any use for you.

[deshojo]

Mirror lock up on my lovely Contax bodies is a lever on the side which you just flip up.
Unfortunately Canon have buried it deep in the electronic menu, and as you say used a two-stage system. This makes it pretty much useless for super-telephoto work.

In practice (on my 600mm f4) I have found that it provides no real advantage anyway.
The best technique is to rest one hand on top of the lens, above the tripod mount, and press your face tightly against the back of the camera. This seems to steady the set-up and absorb vibrations effectively.
Also you should always leave IS on, even on a tripod.

[Andrew03]

As i understand it, on the 'long' Canon's (300 2.8, 400 4.0, 500 4.0, 600 4.0), the IS should be left on when using a tripod. Once the IS is activated, the lens realises it is on a tripod by the lack of shake, so shifts to a different mode that compensates for mirror slap. There's a far better explanation somewhere.
Cheers
Andrew

[SMC2002]

JCL.
I agree with Pete. I just don't see how MLU will help all that much on fast shutter speed pics? Sort of like IS, it does reduce vibration. But at higher shutter speeds IS doesn't really help much and neither would MLU. Especailly once you consider the drawbacks of using MLU (double release, really should be on a tripod and used with a remote release and not very good for capturing moving subjects - as in how the heck would you keep your focus point on your subject once the mirror lifts?)


Steve

[Norfolkbirder]

I have a 1D Mark 2N and have never used the facility - been lazy working it out. However, I read recently in a magazine of a pro wildlife photographer (I think it was Geoff Simpson) using this function for shooting Hares in the peak district in combination with a 1D2N and a Canon 400/5.6 so it must be possible and useful, also I remember him saying as he had a long walk in he would be lying down using a bean bag. Again this seems contrary to all of the above - perhaps someone with more experience can comment.
I had been thinking only the other day about trying this function, particularly in low light with macro photography.

Chris

[postcardcv]

I had been thinking only the other day about trying this function, particularly in low light with macro photography.

Hi Chris

For macro photography MLU can be vey useful, but much less so when using fast shutter speeds and long lenses. Given that you have to press the button twice it is basically useless for moving subjects. If you're using an IS lens then using MLU will make little or no difference anyway.

[Norfolkbirder]

Sure, but I will try and dig out the magazine which covers Geoff Simpsons' article on photgraphing Hares, cos he definitely mentions using it, one would assume as he is a pro he knows what he is talking about - unless I have taken his comments out of context.

Will let you know when i have had a poke thru some old magazines tonight!

Ta Chris

[postcardcv]

Sure, but I will try and dig out the magazine which covers Geoff Simpsons' article on photgraphing Hares, cos he definitely mentions using it, one would assume as he is a pro he knows what he is talking about - unless I have taken his comments out of context.

Will let you know when i have had a poke thru some old magazines tonight!

Ta Chris

he might have done, if the hares were static then it may have been useful, especially as he wasn't using a tripod or an IS lens.

[postcardcv]

Sure, but I will try and dig out the magazine which covers Geoff Simpsons' article on photgraphing Hares, cos he definitely mentions using it, one would assume as he is a pro he knows what he is talking about - unless I have taken his comments out of context.

Will let you know when i have had a poke thru some old magazines tonight!

Ta Chris

he might have done, if the hares were static then it may have been useful, especially as he wasn't using a tripod or an IS lens.

out of interest what lens are you using with your 1Dn mk II, the 100-400 IS?

[Leif]

MLU is most useful in the danger range of about 1/15 to 1/60 second. At higher shutter speeds the exposure freezes the vibrations, and at lower shutter speeds the vibrations soon die away and do not have an influence during most of the exposure. But for critical work, MLU is advisable, assuming a fixed static target, or as good as, and a tripod mounted camera.

That said, some lenses do seem to resonate rather a lot. The Nikon 200mm F4 AIS lens must have been designed by a campanologist, given the way that it rings. Even at 1/100 second exposures, vibrations are bad. I suspect the light build is the cause of the high frequency vibrations. Heavier lenses tend to ring less.

Here is a nice little article with a nice picture:

http://photo.net/learn/nature/mlu

As to whether or not IS cancels all of the vibrations, I know not and defer to others. Experimentation is the best way to find out.

Leif

[Norfolkbirder]

he might have done, if the hares were static then it may have been useful, especially as he wasn't using a tripod or an IS lens.

out of interest what lens are you using with your 1Dn mk II, the 100-400 IS?
Yes 100-400 5.6, I am despearate to try & find a good condition secondhand 500 F4, don't want to go around the 400DO versus 500mm loop again!, but I feel that it really is the extra reach I want. I won't sell the 100-400, so if I am birding abroad and just point & shooting thats what i will use.
However, the other afternoon it was a short walk from the car to the waders showing at 5.0m, I really wish I'd had 500mm + 1.4. that would have nailed them. If you can afford the glass then it's worth having it in the car, you don't have to carry it around all the time with you.

Ta Chris