Stabiliser or no Stabiliser?


sin77

Senior Member
Nov 28, 2004
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I am using Nikon DX body and looking to buy a fast zoom lens, comparing between Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and Sigma 17-50 f2.8 OS. Price difference around $400.

So my question is:
If I often shoot at 1/40, do i need stabiliser?
At 50mm, what is the recommended shutter speed for handheld shot without stabiliser?
 

I am using Nikon DX body and looking to buy a fast zoom lens, comparing between Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and Sigma 17-50 f2.8 OS. Price difference around $400.

So my question is:
If I often shoot at 1/40, do i need stabiliser?
At 50mm, what is the recommended shutter speed for handheld shot without stabiliser?

It can help.

As per the golden rule, 1/focal length...
 

I am using Nikon DX body and looking to buy a fast zoom lens, comparing between Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and Sigma 17-50 f2.8 OS. Price difference around $400.

So my question is:
If I often shoot at 1/40, do i need stabiliser?
At 50mm, what is the recommended shutter speed for handheld shot without stabiliser?

Basically it depend on yourself. Although what Rashkae mentioned, yes, the golden rule of thumb is 1/focal length which is 1/50 sec if you are to shoot at 50mm.

However, that is not always the case, some people can shoot at 1/10 or more without the OS or VR at 50mm range.

Also have you consider a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 VC?
 

Tamron vc version image quality is not good.
 

Possible to shoot 1/10 handheld at 50 mm? That's not quite possible right?
 

get the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC.

its a very very good lens for its price
 

Possible to shoot 1/10 handheld at 50 mm? That's not quite possible right?

I have gotten 1/10 at 200mm... it is a matter of breathing technique and body posture.
 

I currently using Tamron 28-75/2.8 no-VC on D5100. No issues so far. IMHO anything above 70mm I believe VC is much more advantageous.

Anyway if you're still not confident at shooting at low speed, you always raise up the ISO (that's what I do most of the time).
 

At 50mm, u normally shoot at what speed?
 

I have gotten 1/10 at 200mm... it is a matter of breathing technique and body posture.

Not possible for me. Once the shuttle is released , the camera body vibrates quite much. I am two years marks man in army also cannot achieve.
 

Not possible for me. Once the shuttle is released , the camera body vibrates quite much. I am two years marks man in army also cannot achieve.

Once the shuttle is released, it launches into orbit.

For me, when I release the shutter, I use a gentle touch.

2 years training as a sniper taught me that. :)
 

At 50mm, u normally shoot at what speed?

Depends on the light level and aperture and ISO, same as in all photography...
 

Not possible for me. Once the shuttle is released , the camera body vibrates quite much. I am two years marks man in army also cannot achieve.

I did that with no problem at all. I am not trained as marksman or sniper, I nearly fail my marksmanship in the army. It is not whether you are excellent shooter or what, this thing came with practice, and knowing the characteristic of your camera and lens.

I did my 300mm f4L (the non-IS version) at as low as 1/50sec with no problem at all, I did my 135mm OM lens at 1/10sec with no problem either.

You need to practice and practice, then you can get it.

Btw... the Tamron 17-50mm VC is pretty good. My girlfriend has it and I played around with it alot, I find that the IQ is really not that bad.
 

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Btw... the Tamron 17-50mm VC is pretty good. My girlfriend has it and I played around with it alot, I find that the IQ is really not that bad.

It's usually only the pixel-peepers who do nothing but view at 100% who may notice a difference. :p
 

Quite surprised many of u can shoot beyond the recommended speed without stabiliser. Really admire
 

Quite surprised many of u can shoot beyond the recommended speed without stabiliser. Really admire

It's quite common. Just takes practice.
 

Practice practice practice. Breathing techniques and hand-holding techniques work.

Good for still imaging if you're able to, not so if you're shooting action.
 

Do u all place your eye to the rubber of the ovf? Those who wear specs can't achieve 1/10 right?
 

Do u all place your eye to the rubber of the ovf? Those who wear specs can't achieve 1/10 right?

Of course. It's called proper shooting stance. Dunno what weird things you are reading somewhere.