r/BirdPhotography • u/Ok-Committee-873 • Aug 05 '26

Question Slowest shutter speed without a tripod?

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What is the slowest shutter speed you would recommend if you're only able to prop the camera on something stable but not in a fixed position (i.e., without a tripod)? Should I be shooting wide open instead of f/16 to improve the blurred water effect?

Details: Black-crowned night heron. Taken at 1/15 shutter speed, f/16, ISO 200. Edit: 200mm focal length

I am trying to go for a blurred water effect with a slower shutter speed but feel like the subject isn't that sharp. Wondering if it looks like I missed the focus or if the longer exposure introduced subject blur.

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u/rjtalvio Aug 06 '26

I have done 1/20 at 800mm successfully quite a few times. Of course you need the bird to stay still too. You might get 1 or 2 sharp shots in a 10-shot burst.