What shutter speed for macro?

[andrewcollier]

What should I consider a minimum shutter speed for hand held macro (flowers). I am mainly using a Sigma 105, rarely at minimum focus. I have been using 250 sec min (as set for when I use flash). Also but what would be a reasonable minimum when using a tripod, allowing for a little flower wind movement?

Thanks

[Desertraptor]

It annoys me that with onboard flash you are limited to max 1/250.
The faster the better for hand held. But on a tripod it would depend on the wind as to how slow you could get. I also hate going above ISO200 so slow without flash would be nice.
I recently found an old flash from years ago with no camera input and no adjustments so I am on full manual. I can get as fast as 1/400, F8 at ISO100 but the sync is a little slow so mostly I am using 1/320

[LordV]

What should I consider a minimum shutter speed for hand held macro (flowers). I am mainly using a Sigma 105, rarely at minimum focus. I have been using 250 sec min (as set for when I use flash). Also but what would be a reasonable minimum when using a tripod, allowing for a little flower wind movement?

Thanks
Really depends on the amount or wind movement going on but with a good tripod you should be able to go down to 1/10th or 1/50th sec or perhaps even slower.

Peter- the shutter speed with flash is largely irrelevant - assuming the flash is the major source of light then the flash duration becomes the shutter speed and this is around 1/1000th or faster. Using high speed sync flash (faster than 1/250th can actually give you slower apparent shutter speeds as the flash actually emits a series of flashes which may last longer than a single brief flash.
Brian v.

[andrewcollier]

Really depends on the amount or wind movement going on but with a good tripod you should be able to go down to 1/10th or 1/50th sec or perhaps even slower.

Peter- the shutter speed with flash is largely irrelevant - assuming the flash is the major source of light then the flash duration becomes the shutter speed and this is around 1/1000th or faster. Using high speed sync flash (faster than 1/250th can actually give you slower apparent shutter speeds as the flash actually emits a series of flashes which may last longer than a single brief flash.
Brian v.
Thanks Brian - Are you saying I need not have the flash synch 1/250, and use 1/60th?

[LordV]

Thanks Brian - Are you saying I need not have the flash synch 1/250, and use 1/60th?

If you are using the flash as the main light source then I doubt you would notice any difference between 1/60th and 1/250th shutter speed. If you are using the flash in fill mode (ie Tv or Av modes) then it will make a difference as the flash is not the major light source.
Brian v.

[labbai]

I've done some macro as slow as 1/60 and got it sharp. Now I have MR-14EX and a MP-E 65, so I can get some more pints of beer before going in to the wild... :lol:
1/200 hand held with flash is a heaven to me.
As long as the batteries last...