Discussion
I know about the rule of thirds where you imagine a grid over your framed subject in order to compose it properly but i wondered what other usefull rules of thumb there are.
I remember someone saying about shutter speed =>focal lenght for crisp images, i think
Also i heard there is a rule called the sunny 16 rule.
just wondering if anyone would like to contribute meanings to these and any other useful rules they know.
I remember someone saying about shutter speed =>focal lenght for crisp images, i think
Also i heard there is a rule called the sunny 16 rule.
just wondering if anyone would like to contribute meanings to these and any other useful rules they know.
the focal lenght/shutter sped one is quite simply, and useful to know
the shutter speed should be eqaul or greater than the reciprocal of the focal length. So if you are using a 300mm lens, your shutter speed should be 1/300 or faster. Remember that if you are using a DSLR with a crop factor of sort then this must also be taken into account. So if you are using a D100 (with a magnification effect of 1.5) then you will need a shutter speed of 1/450 for the same 300mm lens
the shutter speed should be eqaul or greater than the reciprocal of the focal length. So if you are using a 300mm lens, your shutter speed should be 1/300 or faster. Remember that if you are using a DSLR with a crop factor of sort then this must also be taken into account. So if you are using a D100 (with a magnification effect of 1.5) then you will need a shutter speed of 1/450 for the same 300mm lens
Bilko,
I've never heard of the Sunny 16 thingy, but the focal length/shutter speed one states that the two should be roughly the same figure to avoid camera shake. ie 28mm lens = 1/30th sec min...300mm lens = 1/300th sec min etc etc. Of course, Image Stabalising lenses shoot that theory right out of the water but it's a rule that has done a lot of good service to a lot of photographers. You can break the rules if you can, say, steady the camera against a tree or a wall also.
It is only a rule of thumb though. I have a very steady hand and I have taken ultra crisp shots 2 full stops lower than the rule would allow.
Hope this helps.
Martin.
I've never heard of the Sunny 16 thingy, but the focal length/shutter speed one states that the two should be roughly the same figure to avoid camera shake. ie 28mm lens = 1/30th sec min...300mm lens = 1/300th sec min etc etc. Of course, Image Stabalising lenses shoot that theory right out of the water but it's a rule that has done a lot of good service to a lot of photographers. You can break the rules if you can, say, steady the camera against a tree or a wall also.
It is only a rule of thumb though. I have a very steady hand and I have taken ultra crisp shots 2 full stops lower than the rule would allow.
Hope this helps.
Martin.
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