I don't get the "your shutter speed should not be less than the focal length" rule.

[vimwiz]

That rule assumes handheld, and without IS.

Its usually fairly accurate. I.e. when handholding my 75-300mm lens (no IS), and im zoomed in, I struggle to get a clear image below 1/300.

OTOH, there's people who can hand-hold non-IS 1,000mm lenses and shoot at 1/100.........

....while in a canoe.

if there is perfect lighting and they have fast glass, maybe.

But for average joe with no flash, and a cheapo lens, the rule is valid.

 

[480sparky]

That rule assumes handheld, and without IS.

Its usually fairly accurate. I.e. when handholding my 75-300mm lens (no IS), and im zoomed in, I struggle to get a clear image below 1/300.

OTOH, there's people who can hand-hold non-IS 1,000mm lenses and shoot at 1/100.........

....while in a canoe.

if there is perfect lighting and they have fast glass, maybe.

But for average joe with no flash, and a cheapo lens, the rule is valid.

What's perfect lighting have to do with it? 1/100 is 1/100 regardless of the lighting.

And what's fast glass got to do with it? 1/100 is 1/100 regardless of the aperture.

 

[KmH]

Nikon VR explained

The first and most important rule of VR is this: never turn VR on unless it's actually needed.

Rule #2: VR should normally be off if your shutter speed is over 1/500.

Rule #4: If your subject is moving, you still need a shutter speed that will stop that movement.
Rule #5: VR doesn't remove all motion, it only removes camera motion.

Rule #8: You MUST read your lens manual and see what it says about use on tripods.