Why P&S's should do some reading before taking the plunge with real cameras

In rec.photo.digital James Nagler wrote:
On Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:43:52 +0100, bugbear
wrote:

James Nagler wrote:

My 16" diameter (20" dia. OTA) reflector telescope weighs a total of 255
lbs. when completely set up. The cast-iron mount and counter-weights alone
weighing in at about 150 lbs. of that. Yet I can lightly tap the telescope
tube and it take about 20-40 seconds for the vibrations to completely
dampen down. (The "tap test" is well known to amateur astronomers, anything
under 60 seconds for vibrations to dampen down is considered "good".) It is
a well balanced telescope, just a standard 9v battery is enough to power
the tracking and go-to system (it is that well balanced). But at high
magnifications (600x-1000x) even the slightest disturbance will set up
visually obvious oscillations.

Indeed. Fortunately most photographers are working
at the equivalent of MUCH smaller
magnifications.

BugBear

This is true, but for the pixel-peeper, the above is valid information. You
will not get pixel-level resolution on any DSLR unless you lock up the
mirror and allow vibrations to damp-down before the exposure is made.

Unless the shutter speed is fast enough.

--
Chris Malcolm
Warning: none of the above is indisputable fact.