tripod use

1andyw

Hi,

I am new to this camera, a Nikon D50 with 18-55mm F3.5-4.5 G ED Nikkor Lense. My question regards applying the convention for tripod use:

"If your shutter speed is slower than the reciprocal of the focal length of your lens, you must use a tripod."

Do I use the value of the lense or the 35mm equivalent?

Thanks,

AndyW

DoctorIt

1andyw wrote:

Hi,

I am new to this camera, a Nikon D50 with 18-55mm F3.5-4.5 G ED Nikkor Lense. My question regards applying the convention for tripod use:

"If your shutter speed is slower than the reciprocal of the focal length of your lens, you must use a tripod."

Do I use the value of the lense or the 35mm equivalent?

Thanks,

AndyW

If in doubt, put it on a tripod. It's just a guideline anyway, so don't sweat it. I hope you're not breaking out the calculator to check your reciprocal!

Anytime you get close to that slow of a shutterspeed, you'll get better results tripod mounted. That being said, I know some photographers with pretty darn steady hands who can hand hold a 50mm in low light at 1/20 or 1/30 second with acceptable results.

marlof

1andyw wrote:

Do I use the value of the lense or the 35mm equivalent?

The 35mm equivalent, so 1.5 times the value of your lens with your Nikon D50. But as Erik stated, it's just a rule of thumb. Some can get amazingly sharp shots breaking that rule, and others have to rely on a tripod sooner. Working on your technique (what works for me: tuck elbows in, relax, breath in, then breath out and while exhaling roll your finger over the shutter in stead of pressing with force) by practicing a lot does really help.

gus

Also just as important as a tripod is the remote shutter release. Its not hard at all to introduce just the smallest amount of movement with you finger on the camera.