Originally posted by raider Just want to get some feedbacks here.
I took many many photos using handheld (SR=on) and no tripod. I would not say I have "very unsteady" hands. However, most of the photos when zoom to say 1024 x 768 resolutions, the picture appears to be sharp but when zoom further in, it is apparent that there are some motion blur.
What I would like to know is that are there any others who experience the same thing? If so, would you discard these photos and labelled them a failure, or ignore the slight blur altogether?
I have seen many ppl's photos using handheld (SR=on), no tripod, and the pics appear to be really sharp (even when zoom in)! I just find it frustrating that I can't duplicate their skills myself.
What would be the slowest shutter speed (using SR=on, no tripod) that will (almost) guarantee a sharp picture?
Thanks
I think you have answered your own question, it is all a matter of how big you intend to print.
There are a few issues you need to address,
- first, is the ratio of shutter speed over focal length,
- second is the focus, and how much you have stopped down the lens. Remember that if you are shooting wide open, only a portion of your subject, at the exact focusing distance is in focus, everything else will be slightly out of focus.
- third, is the use of a flash. No matter what shutter speed, some objects especially things that move, will be slightly blury. a flash on the other hand, is measured in terms of microseconds, or 10's of microseconds, this can really freeze the image, and also allow for smaller apatures and better depth of field.
to illustrate, I have attached 2 images, one shot (chickadee) with a 500mm Equivelent, stopped down several stops, and shot with a flash at 1/150th of a second and no shake reduction (*istD), the other (Blue Jay) with a 300mm equivelent shot wide open at 1/30th with shake reduction.