Shutter Speed Suggestion

[NikCan]

If I were to buy the Canon 100-400mm Telephoto Zoom.
How fast of a Shutter Speed would I need to keep my...
Pictures Sharp at 400mm?

I Know the old Basic rule was to use your focal length like
1/400th of a sec so I'm thinking if I go 1/500th or faster I should be safe.
without risking any handheld Blur.., Is this correct?

My Camera Will be the T2i with 100-400mm
And my main subject will be White-tailed Deer.
If that helps.

[pharris201]

Look at the post help with 100-400 lens. It should near this one on the list. A lot of folks have posted very useful information. I am renting this lens and I am glad I paid for an extra week to lean how to use the thing.

[RichardTaylor]

It's a guide line, and an individual thing.

1/500 (without IS) is a good starting point.
1/250 with IS on

Why not run some tests and see what you can do?

I almost always use a mono pod with my 100-400, mostly because on long shoots it takes a lot of the weight off your arms and does add a little stability.

[sk66]

I think you'll actually want to be closer to 1/600 or above for handholding without IS due to the pixel density of your sensor (18MP aps-c). Maybe 1/400 with IS.

IME it seems that the "rule of thumb" applies best to a 12-16MP FF sensor and 8-12MP crop sensor. As the pixel densities go up so does the SS required. Individual technique/skill will have a significant impact on results.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by sk66

I think you'll actually want to be closer to 1/600 or above for handholding without IS due to the pixel density of your sensor (18MP aps-c). Maybe 1/400 with IS.

IME it seems that the "rule of thumb" applies best to a 12-16MP FF sensor and 8-12MP crop sensor. As the pixel densities go up so does the SS required. Individual technique/skill will have a significant impact on results.

Depends on the IS system. With my 70-300 VR on a D80 I was able to get sharp photos at 300mm at 1/60s.

[sk66]

As noted, technique makes a big difference. I've always been able to handhold well below ROT, even before IS.

So, I guess the question is, "who is the ROT for?" IMO "the rules" are for beginners to apply and for the more advanced to ignore.
By applying them you learn them and incorporate them into your "normal practice". After that, you learn when you can choose to ignore them.