PhotoCamel: Your friendly photo community, with free discussion forums, digital photography reviews, photo sharing, galleries, downloads, blogs, photography contests, and prizes.
Photo of the Week Photo of the Week

Go Back   PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum > The Photographer > Photography Talk

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-01-2005   #1
dc2
Photocamel Master
 
dc2's Avatar
 
Posts: 7,032
dc2 has a reputation beyond reputedc2 has a reputation beyond reputedc2 has a reputation beyond repute
CamelKarma: 238
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Quote:
Originally Posted by bauerman
All,

What is the slowest shutter speed that you can handhold and get acceptable results? After posting the shutter speed that you can get down to - tell us about your techniques of how you steady your equipment to achieve these results.

Mine would probably be 1/30 (not always - but sometimes) and I simply hold the camera with both hands firmly, tuck my shoulders against my body and hold my breath a bit (literally - not figuratively) as I press the shutter.

Jared
1/30 would be asking a lot from me on most focal lenghs Ilike a little faster


__________________
Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.
__________________
Feel free to edit any of my photos<br />All comments welcome and appreciated<br />London England<br />Canon 1Ds2<br />I lost faith in religion as a child when I saw a lightning conductor being fitted to the local church.
RSPB Member.
dc2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #2
dc2
Photocamel Master
 
dc2's Avatar
 
Posts: 7,032
dc2 has a reputation beyond reputedc2 has a reputation beyond reputedc2 has a reputation beyond repute
CamelKarma: 238
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Quote:
Originally Posted by bauerman
Yeah - I should have posted that the 1/30th figure is for a mostly a lens at wide angle rather than zoomed. 1/30th at 300mm would not work in most cases for me.............

Good point...

Jared
At wide angle I might get away with 1/30
__________________
Feel free to edit any of my photos<br />All comments welcome and appreciated<br />London England<br />Canon 1Ds2<br />I lost faith in religion as a child when I saw a lightning conductor being fitted to the local church.
RSPB Member.
dc2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #3
senses working overtime
 
Paul Shields's Avatar
 
Location: Blighty
Posts: 11,322
Paul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armor
CamelKarma: 2096
Editing OK?: Yes
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

It really depends on the focal length - I can get down to 1/30 or lower with a small lens, but with something equiv to 400mm then I'm really lucky if I get shake-free shots at 1/125. There is definitely a stop or two to be gained by holding and breathing correctly. Would be interested in any tips myself.
Paul Shields is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #4
senses working overtime
 
Paul Shields's Avatar
 
Location: Blighty
Posts: 11,322
Paul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorPaul Shields strides over the forum like a knight in shining armor
CamelKarma: 2096
Editing OK?: Yes
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

OK - only tip I'll offer is really a cheat, but it is to have your camera set up to continually fire while the shutter is depressed. I find that if shooting 3 or more frames per second (depending on shutter speed) then one or more will turn out to be steady.
Paul Shields is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #5
PhotoCamel Supporter DONATED
Camel Breath
 
JDArt's Avatar
 
Location: Far out, man
Posts: 16,960
JDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armor
CamelKarma: 6996
Editing OK?: Yes
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

This is dependent upon both the camera and the lens. The heavier the camera, the easier it is to hold steady. The longer the lens, the harder it is to hold steady. So a heavy camera and a short lens are easiest to hold steady. With a 1d-series camera and a 50mm lens, I can hold steady at 1/16 sometimes. Yes, shooting off several frames helps, as does not breathing while depressing the shutter.
JDArt is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #6
Guanaco
 
Posts: 337
Neil V will become famous soon enough
CamelKarma: 25
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

I try to stick to one and a half times the effective focal length. I am looking forward to getting a 70-200 VR just for that vary reason.




Neil V is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #7
Dromedary
 
Sidebyte's Avatar
 
Location: Medellin, Colombia S.A.
Posts: 1,646
Sidebyte has a reputation beyond reputeSidebyte has a reputation beyond reputeSidebyte has a reputation beyond reputeSidebyte has a reputation beyond reputeSidebyte has a reputation beyond reputeSidebyte has a reputation beyond reputeSidebyte has a reputation beyond repute
CamelKarma: 724
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

This is entirely relative to how steady you are....the older I get, the worse the situation. That's why I am investing in new VR lenses. Worth a couple of stops or resign yourself to using a tripod.
__________________
“A fool seeks vengeance. The wise man seeks justice.”
Sidebyte is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #8
PhotoCamel Supporter DONATED
Photocamel Master
 
cyclohexane's Avatar
 
Location: SF Bay Area or Los Angeles, California
Posts: 5,441
cyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorcyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorcyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorcyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorcyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorcyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorcyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorcyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorcyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorcyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorcyclohexane strides over the forum like a knight in shining armor
CamelKarma: 1642
Editing OK?: Ask first
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

I've managed to handhold a Nikon D70 with the 18-70mm DX that came with it at 1/3 sec in the dark by leaning against a tree and breathing as if shooting a rifle. Take a breath, exhale slightly, hold, and release the shutter. In general though, I rarely hand-hold under 1/40 sec. My dad used to do 1/15 sec consistently, but I don't think I'm as good at 1/15.
__________________
-Michael
"Remember, the 'P' mode on your camera is for 'Professional'!"
cyclohexane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #9
Photocamel Master
 
ohenry's Avatar
 
Location: Medford OR
Posts: 6,928
ohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorohenry strides over the forum like a knight in shining armor
CamelKarma: 5655
Editing OK?: No
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Depends on how big I print ... it tends to be more obvious when examined critically .... anymore, I try not to shoot at low shutter speeds without support of some kind ... Not as steady as I used to be, I guess ... good thing I don't shoot guns
__________________
The RAW file is my clay. The print is my vase.
ohenry is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #10
Dromedary
 
Posts: 1,528
mikej is just really nice
CamelKarma: 65
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Jared, if you can tuck your shoulders against your body, you should be able to hand hold to a lot slower speed than that... but then looking through the view finder might be a challenge.

Mike
__________________
Hillsboro, Oregon<br />Canon 1DMKII<br />24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L IS, 100-400 4.5/5.6L
mikej is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #11
PhotoCamel Supporter DONATED
Camel Breath
 
Mr. Pickles's Avatar
 
Location: Old Folks Home
Posts: 12,657
Mr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorMr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorMr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorMr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorMr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorMr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorMr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorMr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorMr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorMr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorMr. Pickles strides over the forum like a knight in shining armor
CamelKarma: 7932
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Since this question is probably in reply to you asking me about an image I posted, then what I tld you applies.

1/13th sec.

Of course, it was a wide angle, and it wasn't drop dead on, but it was pretty darn good. Didn't work always either. Get arms and elbows in close, stop breathing, and a really easy trigger finger. Burst mode works too, but I didn't use it on my shot.
__________________

Dumpster Diving Challenge


Idiot Savant AND trouble-maker...
What's Camel Karma?
Posting Images Tutorial
Mr. Pickles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2005   #12
Dromedary
 
Posts: 1,528
mikej is just really nice
CamelKarma: 65
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Jared, well, for all I know, you could be one of those circus people that can bend into a pretzel.


Mike
__________________
Hillsboro, Oregon<br />Canon 1DMKII<br />24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L IS, 100-400 4.5/5.6L
mikej is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2005   #13
Vicuna
 
dmacgee's Avatar
 
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 208
dmacgee will become famous soon enough
CamelKarma: 20
Editing OK?: Ask first
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

With the KM 7D's built in anti shake I can get away with 1/15th depending on the situation and have shot a couple even slower handheld. With the 75-300 1/25 is really my limit especially at the 300 mm end.

Dave
__________________
Dave MacGee
London, ONTARIO
Email: dmacgee2@gmail.com
dmacgee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2005   #14
Vicuna
 
dmacgee's Avatar
 
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 208
dmacgee will become famous soon enough
CamelKarma: 20
Editing OK?: Ask first
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Quote:
Originally Posted by bauerman
Dave - did you mean 1/125 in your post above? If not - you are VERY steady......

Do you turn off the anti-shake system in your KM when you have it mounted on a tripod - just curious.

Jared
No I actually meant 1/25th I don't do it often but the anti shake seems to compensate enough. (I'm not that steady and depending who you ask I man be considerd unstable

When its on a tripod I turn the antishake off, if you leave it on the camera tries to compensate for shake that isn't there.

__________________
Dave MacGee
London, ONTARIO
Email: dmacgee2@gmail.com
dmacgee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2005   #15
Vicuna
 
dmacgee's Avatar
 
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 208
dmacgee will become famous soon enough
CamelKarma: 20
Editing OK?: Ask first
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Quote:
Originally Posted by bauerman
Wow - Dave those are some great results with the anti-shake technology - to be able to get 1/25 at 300mm is just amazing. And regarding the tripod - that was what I was not sure of - if you left the AS on while on a tripod if the results would be unacceptable - thanks for the information.

Jared
I think its a combination of the AS technology and the camera weight(see the note earlier in the thread). I also find I can hand hold at slower speeds with the vertical grip on and shooting landscape, the weight of the batteries acts like a counterweight for the lens.

By comparisoin I've also got a Canon A85 and the slowest I can reasonalby shoot handheld without the flash is about 1/50th
__________________
Dave MacGee
London, ONTARIO
Email: dmacgee2@gmail.com
dmacgee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2005   #16
PhotoCamel Supporter DONATED
Camel Breath
 
JDArt's Avatar
 
Location: Far out, man
Posts: 16,960
JDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorJDArt strides over the forum like a knight in shining armor
CamelKarma: 6996
Editing OK?: Yes
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

I find that it's harder to get steady shots with the compact cameras because I can't really hold them still very well.
JDArt is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2005   #17
dc2
Photocamel Master
 
dc2's Avatar
 
Posts: 7,032
dc2 has a reputation beyond reputedc2 has a reputation beyond reputedc2 has a reputation beyond repute
CamelKarma: 238
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Quote:
Originally Posted by cyclohexane
I've managed to handhold a Nikon D70 with the 18-70mm DX that came with it at 1/3 sec in the dark by leaning against a tree and breathing as if shooting a rifle. Take a breath, exhale slightly, hold, and release the shutter. In general though, I rarely hand-hold under 1/40 sec. My dad used to do 1/15 sec consistently, but I don't think I'm as good at 1/15.
Nice to see you posting I read a article from canon saying that the more of an the smaller the pixcels you have the harder it is to prevent camera shake. I read this after I bought my 1ds2
__________________
Feel free to edit any of my photos<br />All comments welcome and appreciated<br />London England<br />Canon 1Ds2<br />I lost faith in religion as a child when I saw a lightning conductor being fitted to the local church.
RSPB Member.
dc2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2005   #18
Vicuna
 
Posts: 98
Wilt will become famous soon enough
CamelKarma: 23
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

>> but I am really curious of tips or tricks of how to get sharp handheld shots without all the "toys" like VR or IS. <<

As stated by MJordan, tucking elbows into the body helps or use a nearby support (wall, bench, tree trunk).
Stand with your feet apart slightly making a bipod base for your body.
Also, more techniques as for sharpshooting...breathe out slowly and steadily can be more stable than holding your breath.
And easily and slowly depress shutter rather than poke at it suddenly.

Another technique is a string from the bottom of the camera and held down to the ground underfoot, with slight tension upward on the body as you shoot (minimizes the degrees of freedom of movement).
Wilt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2005   #19
Vicuna
 
dmacgee's Avatar
 
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 208
dmacgee will become famous soon enough
CamelKarma: 20
Editing OK?: Ask first
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Wilt,

Besides breathing and using a wall or a support. Paul suggested burst mode, just to add to that if I'm a little uncertain, I'll bracket my shot. the KM does it automatically and I'm sure most of the others do to.

If the situation warrants it I'll drop to one knee and use use my elbow on my knee for support. In some situations I've also lain prone on the ground and taken the shot.

Best advice I was ever given was just experiment, find a technique that works for you and take lots of pictures, especially with digital its a lot easier to see what you need to correct.
__________________
Dave MacGee
London, ONTARIO
Email: dmacgee2@gmail.com
dmacgee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2005   #20
Guanaco
 
Posts: 287
JKSeidel will become famous soon enough
CamelKarma: 24
Default Re: Handheld Shutter Speeds

Quote:
Originally Posted by dc2
I read a article from canon saying that the more of an the smaller the pixcels you have the harder it is to prevent camera shake. I read this after I bought my 1ds2
I can believe that. I noticed a huge difference in my ability to handhold when I went from my old 300D to my new 20D. The 20D is alot less tolerant. I can usually do 300mm shots down to about 1/60 and even an occasional 1/30, lower than that is pure luck for me with that length of lens. I'm quite happy doing even that, given the old rule-of-thumb of 1/(focal length) = minimum handheld speed. I use a technique I learned in a gun training course. B.A.S.S. - Breathe, Aim, Slack, Squeeze. Seems to work for photography as it does for using firearms.

I've talked to two locally based pros who swear by this: http://www.pixelagogo.com/gopod/. I just haven't seen enough reviews and commentary on it to make the plunge. None of the local photo supply shops carry them, so I've been unable to try one out.


__________________
Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.
__________________
Squirrels are just rats with better PR.<br />&quot;The floggings will continue until morale improves!&quot;<br />Support the open RAW initiative: http://www.openraw.org
JKSeidel is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

« PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum > The Photographer > Photography Talk »


Bookmarks
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
SHUTTER ACTIVATIONS FOTOGRAH Canon Forum 10 11-27-2006 07:04 AM
Canon Digital Rebel shutter speeds Roddy1506 Canon Forum 8 05-16-2006 04:36 PM
Dragging the shutter Mark McCall Weddings 47 03-07-2006 08:42 AM
Shutter Replacement...?? mikaelwardhana Photography Talk 4 10-01-2005 09:11 AM
Egret Handheld "Grab Shot" Marc Kurth Birds 0 07-29-2005 11:09 PM