When would a camera’s 1/8000s maximum shutter speed matter over 1/4000s?

Asked 10/24/2013

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I’m comparing two DSLR models. One has a fastest shutter speed of 1/4000s and the other reaches 1/8000s. I understand that faster shutter speeds can freeze motion, but in real-world photography when does 1/8000s actually provide a useful advantage over 1/4000s?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

12y ago

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In most scenarios the extra stop between 1/4000 and 1/8000 second will make very little difference in terms of freezing motion. 1/4000 will freeze all but the fastest objects you are likely to encounter, and even 1/2000 will freeze world class human athletes and most animals at typical shooting distances.

Where the extra stop will come in handy is when you are in very bright light, have already adjusted your camera to the lowest available ISO and want to use a wider aperture to reduce the Depth of Field (DoF). If you find yourself shooting in such situations often, you will probably wind up eventually acquiring and learning to use Neutral Density (ND) Filters. These reduce the amount of light entering the camera without adding a color cast (hopefully) in order to enable slower shutter speeds and/or wider apertures when desired. Once you start shooting with ND filters the difference between the two camera's fastest shutter speeds will not mean much.

Having said that, there are often other features that differ between such models. In the case of the Canon 5D mark III versus the Canon 6D, for example, the 1-series focus system of the 5D3 is worth the difference in price compared to the less capable 'prosumer' focus system in the 6D, but only if you need the faster, more accurate, and more consistent focus system. On the other hand, the 6D includes built-in WiFi and GPS. If you need those extras, it will cost quite a bit to add them to the 5D3 via external modules.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

12y ago

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For most photography, the difference is minor. The extra stop from 1/4000s to 1/8000s usually won’t make a noticeable difference for freezing motion; 1/4000s is already enough for most subjects, and even 1/2000s can freeze many athletes and animals at typical distances.

Where 1/8000s helps most is in very bright light when you want to use a wide aperture for shallow depth of field. If you’re already at the camera’s lowest ISO and still have too much light, the faster shutter speed gives you one more stop of control. Otherwise, photographers often use an ND filter to reduce light so they can keep the aperture wide.

It can also help for very fast action shot from close range, but for most users this won’t be a deciding feature. If these are the two cameras you’re comparing, other differences are likely to matter more than whether the top shutter speed is 1/4000s or 1/8000s.

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