Steve'sDigicams

Eveone · Jul 31, 2012, 9:56 AM

Hi, my question is when a lens length is say 200mm does it require 1/200th + shutter speed or does the 35mm equivalent lens length of 300mm mean that it has to 1/300+ to ensure a shake free shot.
Not counting any I.S of course,
Thanks

tclune · Jul 31, 2012, 10:57 AM

The "reciprocal of the focal length" meme is just a swag. It varies with user technique, crop factor, number of pixels in your sensor, and how picky you are about such things anyway. It really doesn't make much sense to over-interpret it AFAICS.

TCav · Jul 31, 2012, 11:16 AM

It's a Rule of Thumb based on experience with 35mm film SLRs. When applying it to APS-C dSLRs, you should use the 35mm equivalent focal length. There are a number of factors that affect the reliability of the premise, not the least of which is technique.

Of course, the use of image stabilization technology makes its application superfluous.

Eveone · Aug 19, 2012, 7:47 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Ozzie_Traveller · Aug 20, 2012, 10:54 PM

G'day eve

TC above is pretty much on-the-button here > and it does depend upon so many variables there's no clear answer

The 'however' comes along as - Q: is it windy? - do you have any body-shakes? - how heavy is the camera & lens combo? - etc etc
I find that I can hand-hold my Fuji X-s1 over its 400- 600mm max lens zoom, down to 1/4second ... provided I use 'burst' mode and after taking 3-4-5 images, I then look very-very carefully to select the best of the bunch.

Using burst means that the 1st image is often blurred a bit via the very-gentle pressing of the shutter > after then I am just hand-holding and letting the camera do the hard work

I can post some images if you wish...
Regards, Phil

SIMON40 · Aug 21, 2012, 10:48 AM

I think one thing often overlooked with regards zoom/shutter speeds is your subject matter...
If your subjects are moving around quickly,you'll need a FAST shutter speed- regardless of focal length...!

TCav · Aug 21, 2012, 12:53 PM

True. There are two types of motion blur:

Motion blur due to subject movement
Motion blur due to camera shake

The way to avoid either is to use a faster shutter speed, but that's not always possible or desireable.

But I believe that since the OP referred to a presumed relationship between zoom length and shutter speed, I believe it's the camera shake he/she is referring to.

Eveone · Aug 27, 2012, 3:52 PM

Thanks for the replies and yes I was wondering about lens shake .
TCav gave me the answer I was looking for in his first reply.
Sorry for any confusion there.

Jul 31, 2012, 9:56 AM	#1
Eveone Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: U.K. Posts: 32	zoom length and shutter speed Hi, my question is when a lens length is say 200mm does it require 1/200th + shutter speed or does the 35mm equivalent lens length of 300mm mean that it has to 1/300+ to ensure a shake free shot. Not counting any I.S of course, Thanks __________________ Nikon D5000 18-200 Nikkor Manfrotto Tripod. Sb400 flash

Jul 31, 2012, 11:16 AM	#3
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 13,826	It's a Rule of Thumb based on experience with 35mm film SLRs. When applying it to APS-C dSLRs, you should use the 35mm equivalent focal length. There are a number of factors that affect the reliability of the premise, not the least of which is technique. Of course, the use of image stabilization technology makes its application superfluous. __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'. "One good test is worth a thousand expert opinions." - Tex Johnston, Boeing 707 test pilot.

Aug 19, 2012, 7:47 AM	#4
Eveone Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: U.K. Posts: 32	Thanks for the replies. __________________ Nikon D5000 18-200 Nikkor Manfrotto Tripod. Sb400 flash

Aug 20, 2012, 10:54 PM	#5
Ozzie_Traveller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Australia, New South Wales central coast Posts: 3,645	G'day eve TC above is pretty much on-the-button here > and it does depend upon so many variables there's no clear answer The 'however' comes along as - Q: is it windy? - do you have any body-shakes? - how heavy is the camera & lens combo? - etc etc I find that I can hand-hold my Fuji X-s1 over its 400- 600mm max lens zoom, down to 1/4second ... provided I use 'burst' mode and after taking 3-4-5 images, I then look very-very carefully to select the best of the bunch. Using burst means that the 1st image is often blurred a bit via the very-gentle pressing of the shutter > after then I am just hand-holding and letting the camera do the hard work I can post some images if you wish... Regards, Phil __________________ Has Lumix mirrorless & superzoom cameras and loves their amazing capabilities Spends 8-9 months each year travelling Australia Recent images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Aug 21, 2012, 12:53 PM	#7
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 13,826	True. There are two types of motion blur: Motion blur due to subject movement Motion blur due to camera shake The way to avoid either is to use a faster shutter speed, but that's not always possible or desireable. But I believe that since the OP referred to a presumed relationship between zoom length and shutter speed, I believe it's the camera shake he/she is referring to. __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'. "One good test is worth a thousand expert opinions." - Tex Johnston, Boeing 707 test pilot.

Steve'sDigicams

Recent Camera Reviews

Most Active Forums

Most Popular Deals

Latest Feature Articles

Jul 31, 2012, 10:57 AM	#2
tclune Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,093	The "reciprocal of the focal length" meme is just a swag. It varies with user technique, crop factor, number of pixels in your sensor, and how picky you are about such things anyway. It really doesn't make much sense to over-interpret it AFAICS.

Aug 21, 2012, 10:48 AM	#6
SIMON40 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bangor,North Wales Posts: 3,766	I think one thing often overlooked with regards zoom/shutter speeds is your subject matter... If your subjects are moving around quickly,you'll need a FAST shutter speed- regardless of focal length...!

Aug 27, 2012, 3:52 PM	#8
Eveone Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: U.K. Posts: 32	Thanks for the replies and yes I was wondering about lens shake . TCav gave me the answer I was looking for in his first reply. Sorry for any confusion there. __________________ Nikon D5000 18-200 Nikkor Manfrotto Tripod. Sb400 flash

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search