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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Handheld shutter speeds
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 09/11/2004 01:47:07 PM · #1
What do you guys all use for different focal lengths as a minimum? I know a lot of people refuse to use 300mm handheld at all but sometimes it's your only option. Just wondering how fast it has to be to start cancelling that dreaded motion blur. I tend to keep it at least 1/60 with my 28/80... but for macro's that's still too slow. Let's hear your thoughts!
 09/11/2004 02:00:37 PM · #2
The common answer is "1/focal length", i.e. if you are using a 50mm lens, 1/50 is about as slow as you should go. But on the 300D, you need to use the apparent focal length, so that would be 1/(1.6*50) = 1/80.
Now if you're a bit caffienated, or just naturally shaky, you may not get away with this. Conversely, if you're unusually steady, you can get way with a slower speed. You can also gain quite a bit through practicing good technique. Interestingly, a heavier camera/lens combination can be beneficial, since it's more resistant to small movements.
09/11/2004 02:01:39 PM · #3
I think the basic rule is never to use slower shutter speed than your focal lenght. Excample: For focal length 300mm you try not to use slower speed than 1/300 sec.
 09/11/2004 04:43:34 PM · #4
To cancel motion blur, the shutter speed has to be faster than the time it takes the moving image to cross enough pixels to appear blurry. (And the image on a handheld camera is always moving!) A lot depends on how steady you are; practice can help to a degree, but that's different for everyone. The rest depends on how much the image is magnified. I suppose this could be analyzed mathematically in terms of arcseconds per second, but intuitively higher magnification comes from high focal length or close subjects. The "1/focal length" is a common estimate that doesn't require much math. But my advice is to always use a tripod when possible. Otherwise, use the highest shutter speed possible.

Another problem I run into with handheld macros is back and forth movement between focusing and releasing the shutter. So the focus was correct when set but off a bit when it matters. High shutter speed may stop motion blur, but it can't put the focus in the right place!
 09/11/2004 04:46:49 PM · #5
Originally posted by kirbic:
The common answer is "1/focal length", i.e. if you are using a 50mm lens, 1/50 is about as slow as you should go. But on the 300D, you need to use the apparent focal length, so that would be 1/(1.6*50) = 1/80.
Now if you're a bit caffienated, or just naturally shaky, you may not get away with this. Conversely, if you're unusually steady, you can get way with a slower speed. You can also gain quite a bit through practicing good technique. Interestingly, a heavier camera/lens combination can be beneficial, since it's more resistant to small movements.


Thanks for pointing that out Kirbic! I mean, duh! Just never considered the lens crop factor when doing hand-held shots.
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