Interactive reference for every stop value
Selected: 1/250s — see relative blur for common subjects
| Subject | Min Speed | Ideal Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports / Action | 1/500 | 1/1000+ | Freeze fast motion |
| Birds in Flight | 1/1000 | 1/2000+ | Sharp wings |
| Kids / Pets | 1/250 | 1/500 | Unpredictable movement |
| Street / Walking | 1/125 | 1/250 | Casual motion |
| Portraits (still) | 1/60 | 1/125 | Handheld rule |
| Landscapes (tripod) | Any | 1/4 – 1s | Tripod required |
| Waterfalls (silky) | 1/4 | 1–3s | ND filter + tripod |
| Panning (cars) | 1/30 | 1/60 | Track subject |
| Night Sky / Stars | 10s | 15–25s | 500 rule for no trails |
| Light Trails | 5s | 15–30s | Tripod, low ISO |