Photographers; at what point must you use a tripod to photo images?

[Deja Q]

For me, anything lower than 1/90 second is likely to induce motion blur because of my degenerated condition. :cry:

As I also do lengthy zooms, autofocus won't work so manual focusing cvan be trifling too - but that I can still usually do successfully. :D

[Octafish]

1. Using a 50 mm, about 1/30th sec.

The rule of thumb is you can use the inverse of the lens focal length. So, a 125 mm telephoto requires a shutter speed of 1/125 sec.

In reality, you can usually finagle a bit more. Try bringing in your elbows to your sides when shooting. This constricts movement, but will brace your hands and the camera.

For pans, also keep your elbows in to your sides and move at the waist. Twisting there and following the action keeps the camera level while it follows the action and blurs the background.

[gmoney]

2. I've always heard this rule of thumb...

If the number of your focal length is higher than the denominator of your shutter speed, you probably need a tripod.

200mm lens at 1/250 or faster (1/500, 1/1000) should be OK
200mm lens at 1/125 or slower (1/60, 1/30) will probably show camera movement

Image stabilized lenses, of course, really don't apply.

Your mileage may vary.

[mcscajun]

3. It depends on the focal length of the lens you are using...

..if you're using a 50mm lens, any exposure longer than about 1/50 second ought to be call for a tripod. Basically, you're looking at an inverse ratio here.

If you are without a tripod and taking a longer exposure, bracing the camera well against your body and exhaling on the exposure helps. :)

And minipods are a good thing to have when lugging around a full-legged tripod is just too bloody much trouble.