Question on night shots

[Eyesthruthelens]

Hi,
I have a simple question..
With KM DSLR camera with great ISO noise control + AS feature, most of us can capture night shots without using a tripod..
Will the photos be sharper if a tripod is used as compare to hand held?

I'm asking this questions as I went down to Orchard last Thursday to capture some lighting shots with KM5D + 50mm lens and kit lens.. and it's amazing, I can just keep on shooting as thought it's in day time.. no blur image especially with my 50mm lens.
When I compare to other shots from other user postings in clubsnap, realized that my shots are not that sharp..
Is it because of f setting?

here are some of the photos: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=163619

 

[jsbn]

Nothing beats a tripod.

Anti-shake is not an excuse for lousy handheld techniques.

 

[ryanvios]

If you processed your picture, it might look as sharp as the others.

 

[Eyesthruthelens]

Nothing beats a tripod.

Maybe another stupid question, why use tripod when you can capture a shot with handheld, unless you want to have long exposure for the special light trail effect on the cars..?

 

[dynaxattack]

Maybe another stupid question, why use tripod when you can capture a shot with handheld, unless you want to have long exposure for the special light trail effect on the cars..?

That depends on how well you can keep the camera firm while snappin the shutter.

But then again, nothing beats the tripod.

 

[jsbn]

Unless u are made outta solid concrete, nothing wins ultra-stability of a tripod and the concrete ground.

I do not really like shooting night lights like that handheld as I'm not a piece of concrete, neither do I have arms like Arnold Schwarzenegger. So I lug my tripod around. Its a matter of preference in this case.

 

[deslim27]

Maybe another stupid question, why use tripod when you can capture a shot with handheld, unless you want to have long exposure for the special light trail effect on the cars..?

your pic look sharp to me!

In any case, tripod should get you a sharper picture, or can help to cut down the noise with lower ISO. But then, stablizer will help to get the shots where setting up tripod is too troublesome or not possible.

 

[Drudkh]

a couple of shots taken handheld at ISO1600
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=158476&page=3

 

[TME]

Your shots are sharp. But perhaps they are a little underexposed. That may make the shots look blur. U can pump up the levels slightly.

 

[dynaxattack]

a couple of shots taken handheld at ISO1600
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=158476&page=3

Very well taken Drudkh! And this ISO1600 thinggy sure beat some C's to the shore. ;p

 

[Eyesthruthelens]

Very well taken Drudkh! And this ISO1600 thinggy sure beat some C's to the shore. ;p

Interesting, all my shots are at ISO400.. especially when I use 50mm f1.7 lens at f2.6 or 2.8.
Don't really need to use ISO1600 at all.

 

[Drudkh]

yes agree, but f/2.8 is quite shallow. my shots are mostly shot at f/4 to f/8, hence the ISO1600.