Vibration Isolation for Tripods

[Michael Erlewine]

I am doing some very long stacks of images, 150 or so, as part of focus-stacking and checking out a new lens that itself is long and heavy. I have my subject isolated so there are no vibrations, but there are some vibrations coming up through the tripod legs, making it difficult.

I am using a Really Right Stuff carbon-fiber tripod, a Series 3.

If anyone has ideas how to dampen the vibrations coming up from the floor, I would appreciate hearing about it. The vibrations are coming from my own movements just standing on the floor, so it’s a little subtle. 

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Best approach is having the subject and tripod both resting on the same slab of material. You could also put sharp spikes on the tripod feet and let these rest on a small coin or similar, but that gets pretty awkward if the tripod is to be moved around as you probably need to realign and put the feet onto the support again.

The Gitzo by the way isn't known for its vibration-dampening efficiency, but in the scenario you describe nearly all tripods would cause issues because of the shifting foundation caused by footfalls. A common coupled, rigid platform would make camera and subject move together to effectively eliminate that source of vibration.

For my stacking projects I use the heavy metal base of a surplus Nikon Multiphot photomacrographic system. The Stackshot is securely screwed into that heavy base.

[Michael Erlewine]

Best approach is having the subject and tripod both resting on the same slab of material. You could also put sharp spikes on the tripod feet and let these rest on a small coin or similar, but that gets pretty awkward if the tripod is to be moved around as you probably need to realign and put the feet onto the support again.

The Gitzo by the way isn't known for its vibration-dampening efficiency, but in the scenario you describe nearly all tripods would cause issues because of the shifting foundation caused by footfalls. A common coupled, rigid platform would make camera and subject move together to effectively eliminate that source of vibration.

For my stacking projects I use the heavy metal base of a surplus Nikon Multiphot photomacrographic system. The Stackshot is securely screwed into that heavy base.

It would difficult to get them on the same platform. It would have to be a big platform because some the lenses have a long minimum focal distance.  Any more ideas about what I can place under the feet of the tripod?

[Akira]

Do you extend the tripod legs fully?  I use a long-leg version of three-section Gitzo 3 series CF tripod, and when I avoid extending the lowest (thus slimmest) section, the stability improves dramatically.

If you can lower the whole set up in order to allow you to avoid extending the lowest section, the stability should improve.  Of course, that wouldn't solve the problem of the bouncy floor.

The ideal base should be something like the basis of a record cutting machine (a concrete foundation built directly from the ground).   

[Michael Erlewine]

Do you extend the tripod legs fully?  I use a long-leg version of three-section Gitzo 3 series CF tripod, and when I avoid extending the lowest (thus slimmest) section, the stability improves dramatically.

If you can lower the whole set up in order to allow you to avoid extending the lowest section, the stability should improve.  Of course, that wouldn't solve the problem of the bouncy floor.

The ideal base should be something like the basis of a record cutting machine (a concrete foundation built directly from the ground).   

I'm using a RRS Series-3 carbon-fiber tripod. And I will try only using two of the three legs. Good idea.

Any other solutions welcome.

[armando_m]

perhaps a mat that dampens your foot steps

camera and subject on the same platform , ie: a solid table

move the photo studio to a location with a more solid floor

[Michael Erlewine]

perhaps a mat that dampens your foot steps

camera and subject on the same platform , ie: a solid table

move the photo studio to a location with a more solid floor

Move the studio, sure. 

I am not walking on the floor, but just standing there... and not moving. It's that subtle.I will try some neoprene pads... and get some small buckets of sand, etc. I will see if there is a way to prop up the long lens and still use tilt, etc.

[David H. Hartman]

For years I printed on the second floor of a 2x4 stick construction house. By care in my movements I was able to make sharp prints. The enlarger sat on a heavy IBM punch card file. A fly in the ointment was any time someone walk up and down the stairs a print was wasted.

The freeway construction maybe 400 to 500 meters away made printing during the day impossible. The problem was heavy earth moving equipment.

A problem I've never faced is rail road trafic. Even if a darkroom were set up on a concrete slab construction building the vibrations would rase hell when a train passes.

Michael, if possible I'd move to a first floor location. A concrete slab floor would be best. I'd take a hard look at your tripod. Don't use the lower section if possible.

Radical: consider making a box with a 1" (25mm) plywood floor and 2x4 sides large enough for camera and subject Place the box on something that will absorb vibration. Poor a 3.5" (90mm) concrete slab (in place). Someone who owns the building later will hate you.

Dave Hartman

[Michael Erlewine]

Thanks, but I am not moving my studio. If there are any other suggestions that don't involve relocation or pouring concrete, I would like to hear them.

[David H. Hartman]

Thanks, but I am not moving my studio. If there are any other suggestions that don't involve relocation or pouring concrete, I would like to hear them.

Are you saying I struck out?

Dave

[typo corrected]

[Michael Erlewine]

Are you sating I struck out?

Dave

Yeah, if only because I don't know what sating is. 

[pluton]

If just de-vibrationing the tripod (and not the subject) was all that was required, I'd consider acquiring a large piece of 1/2" aluminum plate that the tripod could stand on. 
But I think Bjørn's note about rigidly linking the tripod and subject to the same substrate is the right direction to go.

[Jack Dahlgren]

What is the result of the vibration? Is it motion blur in each shot or is it changes in framing
between shots?

For the first,  brighter light for higher shutter speeds would help. Perhaps control your movement or stand on a soft mat.

For the second, you could register images in post production so they are correctly aligned. I think that there are many tools out there which can do this. I’ve used Hugin to do this in the past. You could try it on your stacks. T

[David H. Hartman]

Yeah, if only because I don't know what sating is. 

This phone makes a fool out of me one way or another (and I don't need help with that).

[Grahame Hamblin]

vibration basic it will travel as far as there is metal contact Cure simple when mounting camera on tripod place a piece of plastic or thin rubber between camera mount and base plate problem solved no metal contact sharper images.
Grahame