Rules of Thumb

rookies

rookies

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What is the rules of thumb of getting good sharp images of people shutter speed wise.

What mode do people use to take portrait images i.e. M or AV or what ever. Also what aperture and shutter..
 
Exposure mode doesn't matter as long as you get the desired effect.

Aperture depends on effect I want to achieve (and camera - sensor size makes a difference).

Shutter speed depends on the scenario, are they moving? Posed portraits? Other stuff moving around? Vibration control in the lens?
 
Why would aperture depends on the sensor size. So for the Canon 5D Mk3 sensor size what would you use I love to have good Bokah..

Ok for still images what the minimum shutter without IS... I would of though around 80? or is it all depends on how stable our hands are?
 
Because sensor size affects depth of field - typically you might want enough DoF so that the whole face is in focus but then leave the background blurry. This also depends on focal length and distance to subject so not necessarily an easy question to answer.

On a full frame sensor the rule of thumb is that you need to be at least 1/focal length to avoid camera shake, for posed people you would want 1/60 as an absolute minimum and preferably higher - I wouldn't really go lower than 1/125 if at all possible. Of course, this depends on focal length too.
 
Rookies - there are so many factors that effect that question, most of them being the light available and speed of subject.

a rule of thumb, as you want it is your shutter speed should be at least the same as your focal length -= ie no slower than 1/50 if shooting on a 50mm or no slower than 1/200 if shooting at 200mm.

But like all things in photography it is not gospel, just a guideline
 
Good thread as I was thinking this the other day.. dade_f's post sounds pretty clear and concise, I'll definitely give this a try/bear it in mind when next taking portraits. Not sure on 1/50 for a 50mm, would you still not get potential blur on small movements?
 
Jim. said:
Good thread as I was thinking this the other day.. dade_f's post sounds pretty clear and concise, I'll definitely give this a try/bear it in mind when next taking portraits. Not sure on 1/50 for a 50mm, would you still not get potential blur on small movements?
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The thing about the rule is that it doesn't take into account subject movement, the other thing missing is that the 'rule' more or less works for full frame, and you need to add a crop factor as required.

But the biggest issue is that you need to know your own limits, because the rule of thumb is just that. On a good day I can get a clear shot at double the 'good' shutter speed. On a bad day (tired, hungry), I can't do it at half.
 
That's about it, a guideline that gives you an indication, much like the Sunny 16 'rule'. They're both useful, with caveats, but that's where you need to apply your own interpretation.
 
rookies said:
Ok for still images what the minimum shutter without IS... I would of though around 80? or is it all depends on how stable our hands are?
Click to expand...

the general rule of thumb for this is... lens focul length * crop

so on a full frame camera using a 200mm lens you want at least 200 shutter speed

so you asking is it about 80? on a 80m or less lens yes.. on a 100+ lens then no.,.


your question doesnt supply us enough info to answer properly..
 
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