Getting the best out of long lenses

[Hamish Gill]

I have heard about the shutter speed equal to the lens focal length but cannot say that I have been able to prove any advantage to this.

I think it's a rule for hand held shooting really!

 

[Rudi Venter]

I think it's a rule for hand held shooting really!

Yes, without IS/VR/OS

 

[Ralph Thornton]

I agree. With IS you can go a little longer on the exposure. But it one is not using a tripod then it is very important to develop strong lens handling techniques and practice keeping any motion to a minimum.

 

[Rudi Venter]

I agree Ralph, as useful as a tripod is I have a real love/hate relationship with them I love what they can do but I hate the way they limit my movement. I think more than 95% of my images are taken hand held. Practice helps but so does IS/VR.

I don't think I would easily buy a lens longer than about 150mm unless it has IS/VR these days.....

 

[Hamish Gill]

I agree Ralph, as useful as a tripod is I have a real love/hate relationship with them I love what they can do but I hate the way they limit my movement. I think more than 95% of my images are taken hand held. Practice helps but so does IS/VR.

I don't think I would easily buy a lens longer than about 150mm unless it has IS/VR these days.....

Yes same here!

It's funny how we get so used to these inventions to the point that the idea of going back to not using them seems very alien!