Slowest SS for handholding the 24-70ii

So my new 24-70ii is the first zoom lens I've owned without IS. I try to keep it at the 1/FL rule for shutter speed at a minimum. I get useable results, but for maximum sharpness I find I need to bump it up about 1 stop, I try to use at least 1/125 regardless of focal length if the lighting conditions aren't too horrible.

I was wondering what shutter speeds you can get down to with this lens handheld and the techniques you use to achieve this.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17274225
I was wondering what shutter speeds you can get down to with this lens handheld and the techniques you use to achieve this.

I have this lens that I use with my 6D. I often shoot indoors and in museums, where light can be dim. I shoot in Av mode and try to keep the ISO up enough so my shutter speeds don't go lower than 1/125s.

But...some times I end up with shutter speeds as slow as 1/30s. Many of these are sharp enough to keep. Here's one at 1/30s...

I don't have a 24-70II, but I can easily handhold my 28-75 down to about 1/30, especially if I brace against something. I've used 3-shot bursts to get decent results at 1/4. I'd rather crank the ISO.

I wouldn't go slower than 1/30s, especially at 70mm.

Don't be afraid to crank up the ISO to keep the shutter speed at 1/100 or faster.

A noisy photo is better than a blurry photo.

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17274467
I don't have a 24-70II, but I can easily handhold my 28-75 down to about 1/30, especially if I brace against something. I've used 3-shot bursts to get decent results at 1/4. I'd rather crank the ISO.

Bursting works too. Take enough shots and you'll usually get at least one that's pretty decent.

The focal length and intended use are factors too. You'll get more usable shots at 24mm and web resolution than 70mm and wall-sized.

The old 1/FL rule was for average folks looking at a medium sized print (A4 roughly) held at arms length. If you want to scrutinize shots 1:1 on a monitor or make very large prints, you will probably find that you need to use higher shutter speeds than suggested by the 1/FL rule.

For sure the 1/FL rule isn't applicable for people who are using high end, very high resolution lenses and looking to get all the performance the lens is capable of. For that, there's tripods.

You can also better your performance through practice and attention. If you brace yourself, use stable positions, control breathing and really work at being still you can gain some performance over the 'average person'.

For me, I usually try to shoot at about 1 / 2xFL because this dramatically improves resolution for me. Or I use IS, or a tripod.

the 1/FL rule doesnt really help. that is an estimate and shouldnt be held as a standard especially on other lenses that are heavy. on that 6D i would just crank the ISO. i do love the new 24-70II on my 5D3, such a beautiful combo

im with JeffG on the 1/2FL. thats what i use as i prefer to get the sharpest shot possible and slow SS can kill a shot sometimes.

at the end of the day it does depend on what youre doing because there is no official right or wrong answer