OK just a bit of fun.
How slow have you shot handheld and got an acceptably sharp image.? and if you have the image postable i'm sure many would like to see it

My guess would be that the champions in this would be either the 17-55 or maybe the 24-105.


OK more points awarded for the longer focal lengths and lower ISO/smaller Fstops

400mm @ 1/20s.

If I remember correctly, something like 1/5 s - 1/10 s on my 24-105. I have to look it up later.

I think 1/4 or maybe 1/3 with the 24-105L on a 5D. I will try to dig up a photo when I get home later.

Of note, I seem to remember getting the 70-200 f4 IS + 1.4x on a 40D (so 448mm f5.6 equiv) down to 1/10 or so with monopod. The IS on that lens is excellent.

The new 18-55 IS is pretty amazing. If I remember correctly, I was getting about 1/3 without a worry and I couldn't even hear the IS working!

At 24mm, I can do 1/3sec, with my 70-200 f/2.8 at 200mm, ~1/60sec.
It really depends on the weight of the lens. And I'm not that strong with a bad back.

At 24mm (full frame) I can get sharp shots at 1/2 a second. Bracing myself steadily against a wall or something, I've gone as long as a full second with excellent results. Obviously, the subject needs to be stationary....

I'm generally good to 1/30 with a 70-200L IS at 200mm.

Pics or it didnt happen!!

Handheld, 1/80, 600mm, f/5.6, ISO 640 on a 40D. (with exif to prove - except the 'handheld' part)

Is it crap shoot ?

300mm at f4, 1/20 sec, ISO 800. Flash fill at -1 2/3 stops. Bamboo lemur, Madagascar. It was so dark, that all I could see was brownish fur. The light level was so low that color vision was beginning to fade. Light level was too low for autofocus, so I had to resort to manual focus, but could barely see the focus screen. I was astounded to see this picture, showing gray face and reddish brown cap. I could not see this coloration difference with my eyes at this low light level.

I have gotten sharp pics at 1/8 at 200mm with my 70-200.

1/80 sec 800/5,6 lens

Just happened to have the shots from this show open tonight. These are not at all the slowest shutter speeds you can get with IS but these are 1/30...the B&W is 1/60. I can get down to about 1/15 and be good for many shots with IS.

The last one is not that sharp...I just like the photo.

30D + 17-55 @ 20mm f/2.8 ISO 400 0.6sec

I got as low as 2 sec. but I cheated. It's a WA lens.

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

Unsharpened, 800 and 1.4, 1120mm @ 1/50 sec.