Shutter Speed

[EchoingWhisper]

How do I calculate the shutter speed needed handheld without VR based on the focal length and the sensor of the camera?

 

[Robin Usagani]

typicall at least it is (1/focal length) second.

 

[Overread14 2]

Though it can also be 1/(focal length*crop factor from 35mm)

So for example a 200mm lens on a Canon crop sensor body (1.6 crop) would be:

1/(200*1.6) = 1/320

 

[Big Mike]

Keep in mind that this is still just a rule of thumb.

If you have good posture and good technique, you can probably get away with a much slower shutter speed.

 

[scifitographer]

i always figured in the crop factor too when i had a dslr with a cropped sensor. with vr you can attempt to shoot two stops slower.

 

[EchoingWhisper]

Actually three stops for a Nikon. Actually the shutter speed also depends on the pixel size, so any calculations for it?

 

[Robin Usagani]

It depends on your subject. They may move a lot

 

[EchoingWhisper]

True, and your distance from your subject too. If you are nearer, the slightest hand move may blur the picture. Hard thing to consider. But since the current megapixel counts are higher and pixel size are smaller compared to the cameras before, doesn't that make it require faster shutter speed to achieve more clarity?

 

[Robin Usagani]

i dont think megapixel of the camera matters. It depends on what print size you are going for.

 

[EchoingWhisper]

Woah. So to just decide the shutter speed, you have to decide the print size, subject movement, distance from subject, crop factor, hand stability, wind movement etc. Big headache.

 

[EchoingWhisper]

Really hope one day there will be a usable ISO 102400 and everyone will be using 1/4000 shutter speed for maximum clarity. lol.

 

[D-B-J]

Depends on the situation. The 1/focal length is of course a rule of thumb. I mean, if i'm shooting sports, i want at least 1/1000th as often as i can. But if i'm shooting a stationary picture, with good posture, etc, maybe 1/100th will suffice.