Does a heavier camera let you hand-hold slower shutter speeds?
Asked 10/28/2018
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I upgraded from a Canon 350D to a 5D Mark II and noticed I can get acceptably sharp handheld shots at slightly slower shutter speeds with the larger camera. For example, around 1/20s at 55mm feels usable on the 5D Mark II, while I struggled more around 1/30s at 55mm on the 350D. Could the extra weight of the 5D Mark II, especially with a WFT-E4/battery-grip-sized accessory attached, be helping reduce camera shake? Or is this mostly due to the move from APS-C to full frame?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
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You are able to use slower shutter speeds because you switched to a larger sensor. A given amount of movement is relatively smaller compared with a larger sensor than a smaller one, proportional to the crop factor. The type or cause of the movement does not matter (angular, linear, rotational, whatever). The 1/20 sec vs 1/30 sec speeds you mention corresponds with switching from a 1.5-1.6 crop sensor to full frame.
Weight does not seem to play a significant role in your case because, if it did, you would be able to use shutter speeds slower than crop factor alone could account for. In principle, increased weight could stabilize against movement by providing resistance against external forces (inertia), but it can also worsen camera shake by requiring greater muscle engagement, which would increase essential tremor.
Originally by user75526. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user75526
7y ago
0
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Mostly, this is likely due to moving from APS-C to full frame, not just the extra weight. A common handheld guideline is that minimum shutter speed scales with focal length and crop factor: a 55mm lens on APS-C typically needs a faster speed than 55mm on full frame. The difference you noticed between about 1/30s and 1/20s is roughly in line with that change.
Weight can have some effect, but it is secondary. A heavier body may resist small movements and internal vibrations a bit better because of greater inertia, including vibration from the shutter mechanism. On the other hand, extra weight can also make your muscles work harder and increase shake over time.
There may also be a human-factor effect: some people hold a heavier camera more firmly and steadily, at least for short periods.
So yes, added mass can help a little, but the main reason you can use slightly slower shutter speeds is the switch from a crop-sensor body to full frame.
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