Comments on: Handholding: Making Sense of the 1/f rule

By: Joe Decker

Joe Decker — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:16:59 +0000

Fried: Indeed, it’s only a starting point. I think the 2 and 3 belong in the denominators, not the numerators, though.

By: Fried

Fried — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:43:40 +0000

The 1/f rule assumes that both you and the subject are not moving relative to one another (or at least moving slowly). Obviously, if at the time of shutter release both are moving at the exact same instantaneous velocity (magnitude and direction), then the motion blur is zero. However, if there is signifcant relative motion then the rule needs to be modified. For example, shooting a boat traveling 20 mph from another moving boat bouncing around in it’s wake requires modification. I’ve found on the water, that 2/f works if one or the other is stationary, and as much as 3/f can necessary if both are moving moderate speeds. There are some motion blur calculators on the www that allow you to calculate allowances depending on the speed and relative motion of you and the subject.

By: Joe Decker

Joe Decker — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:32:52 +0000

Tony: Technique is definitely part of the equation, too, of course. Even when using the same technique, though, individual photographers seem to vary by an even larger margin. As a result, I think it’s important for people to practice and critically assess their own abilities to handhold in different situations before a critical opportunity comes up, because “Oh look, a polar bear!” is not the time to be relying on untested technique.

By: Tony Ilardi

Tony Ilardi — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:00:51 +0000

I think the “rule” is generally wrong. For many years (generations?) it was generally accepted that a normal lens (50 mm on a 35 mm camera) could safely be handheld at 1/30 of a second, halving the time for each integral multiple of focal length (i.e., 1/60 for a 100 mm lens) and doubling for a wide angle lens (1/15 for a 25 mm lens). Over four decades, I have found this to easily work, but you have to know how to hold your camera. I see too many photographers, including professionals, holding the camera the wrong way. Their left hand is over the lens, not under and supporting it, as you would, say, if you were holding a rifle, and as shown in many camera owners manuals. Think about it: you pick up a whole stop merely by paying attention to how to hold the camera.