Reciprocal Shutter Rule Calculator
Handholding a camera introduces tiny shakes, and the longer the lens the more those shakes magnify into visible blur. The reciprocal rule gives a safe starting point for the slowest shutter speed you can handhold: use one over the full frame equivalent focal length in seconds. This calculator applies that rule using your focal length and sensor crop factor, so a 50mm lens on a 1.5x crop body needs about one over 75 of a second. It also lets you factor in image stabilization, adding the stops your lens or body claims, since modern stabilization can buy several extra stops of steadiness. Enter your focal length, pick a sensor, and set your stabilization, and it returns the recommended minimum shutter speed. This helps you avoid soft shots in low light and decide when you truly need a tripod. All calculation runs in your browser with nothing sent to a server.
How to use Reciprocal Shutter Rule Calculator
- Enter your focal length.
- Select your sensor size.
- Enter how many stops of stabilization you have, if any.
- Read the slowest safe handheld shutter speed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the reciprocal rule?
It suggests a handheld shutter speed at least as fast as one over the full frame equivalent focal length, so a 100 mm lens needs about 1/100 second to avoid shake blur.
How does image stabilization change it?
Stabilization buys several stops, so the tool slows the recommended speed accordingly, letting you handhold longer when your lens or body has stabilization.
Does sensor size matter?
Yes, it uses the full frame equivalent focal length, so a crop sensor effectively needs a faster shutter than the marked focal length alone would suggest.
What is Reciprocal Shutter Rule Calculator?
Handholding a camera introduces tiny shakes, and the longer the lens the more those shakes magnify into visible blur. The reciprocal rule gives a safe starting point for the slowest shutter speed you can handhold: use one over the full frame equivalent focal length in seconds.
Is Reciprocal Shutter Rule Calculator free to use?
Yes. Reciprocal Shutter Rule Calculator is completely free, with no sign-up and no usage limits.
Does Reciprocal Shutter Rule Calculator work in a web browser?
Yes. Reciprocal Shutter Rule Calculator runs in any modern web browser. There is nothing to download or install.
Is my data private with Reciprocal Shutter Rule Calculator?
Yes. Reciprocal Shutter Rule Calculator runs entirely on your device in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded to a server.
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