low shutter speed question

[wiselion]

Hey everyone:
My question is this. In low light outdoor situations when taking pic's of wildlife, what is the lowest shutter speed I can use with my 300 f/4 IS on a tripod without blur? I would be using obviously the tripod, a remote shutter release, my lens will be set at f/4, and an ISO at about 800.What is the lowest shutter speed I can go without blur with the above mentioned? I'm using a 20D if that matters.

[copter105]

What exactly is the subject in your photo? A humming bird would be different than a turtle you know what I mean?

[PhotosGuy]

Inside, with a great tripod, we used to run average exposures in the minutes, but you have other variables to think about. I think you'll have to run a test.
Mirror lock-up? Probably not, so mirror slap may be a factor.
More important, how steady is the tripod? Like a rock? In the wind, too?
Finally, what's the speed of the wildlife? ;-)

[Jim_T]

A tripod and IS will help hold the camera still, but you're still shooting a moving target.

It depends on WHAT you're shooting.. Birds and squirrels tend to move rapidly and it's not uncommon to see parts of them blurred when using low shutter speeds. If you photographed deer standing about, then you wouldn't have the same problem.

I shoot a lot of wildlife with my 100-400 IS lens.. I've managed some good shots as low as 1/60 sec.. But these were still and slow moving targets.. If you want to freeze the wings of a bird in flight, you have to go to 1/2000 second or faster.

I shoot mostly at ISO 400.. 800 will work fine, but if you have to do heavy level correction and sharpening, the grain always seems to come out. I only go over 400 as a last resort. (My lens is f/4.6 to 5.6... I wish it were f/4 at the long end).

On a sunny day you shouldn't have to worry about shutter speed. The problem only crops up on very cloudy days, or in the evening, or under heavy trees

Best bet is to go out and try :) You'll soon learn the capabilities of the camera and lens..

[wiselion]

A tripod and IS will help hold the camera still, but you're still shooting a moving target.

It depends on WHAT you're shooting.. Birds and squirrels tend to move rapidly and it's not uncommon to see parts of them blurred when using low shutter speeds. If you photographed deer standing about, then you wouldn't have the same problem.

I shoot a lot of wildlife with my 100-400 IS lens.. I've managed some good shots as low as 1/60 sec.. But these were still and slow moving targets.. If you want to freeze the wings of a bird in flight, you have to go to 1/2000 second or faster.

I shoot mostly at ISO 400.. 800 will work fine, but if you have to do heavy level correction and sharpening, the grain always seems to come out. I only go over 400 as a last resort. (My lens is f/4.6 to 5.6... I wish it were f/4 at the long end).

On a sunny day you shouldn't have to worry about shutter speed. The problem only crops up on very cloudy days, or in the evening, or under heavy trees

Best bet is to go out and try :) You'll soon learn the capabilities of the camera and lens..

Jim:
Yes, my main targets are Deer. So I guess I can get away with the 1/60th if they are feeding or doing their stare thing. I guess you know a few things about Whitetails in your neck of the woods. The land of the giants.

[gasrocks]

I hope you realize that you are one of those areas where people "brag" about their abilities. "I can hand hold it down to......" Sorta like I can name that tune in 2 notes. I have pix of deer in my front yard, 300/4 L IS, hand held, before dawn, through the picture window, iso 800, 1/8 to 1/30 that came out sharp. Very iffy though below 1/60.