Depends on what you shoot. My camera can do 9 fps or something like that. I only use it for action shots where I can't guarantee I'll get the timing right.
Even then, it's usually in 3 frame bursts (like a machine gun).
When I moved up from my D70 at 3fps to my D300 at 7 fps I definitely appreciated the difference, with sports, movement sequences in stage performances and active wildlife. It's difficult to judge the exact moment to press the shutter sometimes and a high frame rate improves the chances of a good shot, though it doesn't make up for poor judgement. With all the skill in the world there is still an element of luck in these situations and a higher frame rate helps. I'm getting more and better action shots now (and lots more junk photos but with digital that doesn't matter). The move up was absolutely worth it.
On the other hand, I could go up from 7fps to 8fps if I purchase the battery grip, a different battery, the required "optional" grip part to fit the different battery, and, in my case, a new L-bracket to fit my camera plus grip. That's several hundred dollars worth of stuff for +1fps - definitely NOT worth it to me. If I earned my living from sports photography maybe, but I don't.
Whenever I shoot high speed continuous I'm reminded of something I once read that puts it in perspective. Say I have a shutter apeed of 1/1000 sec and a frame rate of 10 fps. If I shoot continuously for 1 second then I'm only capturing 10/1000 or one hundredth of that time. I'm still missing 99% of the action. The photographer's skill and judgement are far more important than the camera's frame rate.
MLKstudios wrote: Henri Cartier-Bresson, who gave us The Decisive Moment (shooting at just the right time and place) used a camera with 1 FPS.
He's also dead!
I agree, good timing is more important than spray and pray, but a burst rate is a good idea when you're doing sports and things that are really fast paced.
Henri Cartier-Bresson was a street photographer/journalist, not a sports/wildlife photographer.
MLKstudios wrote: Henri Cartier-Bresson, who gave us The Decisive Moment (shooting at just the right time and place) used a camera with 1 FPS.
He's also dead!
I agree, good timing is more important than spray and pray, but a burst rate is a good idea when you're doing sports and things that are really fast paced.
Henri Cartier-Bresson was a street photographer/journalist, not a sports/wildlife photographer.
Shooting an eagle taking off and landing is a great spot for high FPS. It is amazing how many different wing, tail and talon positions are in one one takeoff.
Number 7 wrote: FPS is only as good as the memory cards transfer rate correct? If the card can't write the data quick then you just spinning your wheels?
Get a Hoodman memory card, their transfer rates are the fastest
Number 7 wrote: FPS is only as good as the memory cards transfer rate correct? If the card can't write the data quick then you just spinning your wheels?
Usually the cards have a buffer. When that fills up the FPS slows down till it can clear itself (i.e. you stop shooting for a while). The speed the card clears the buffer depends on the speed of the card.
Which is why I (usually) only do 3 shot bursts (which is the correct way )
For wildlife I want all the frames I can get. It isnt like they will stand there and let you get the shot, the only place I see them do that is at the Grand Canyon.
Bubbagoat 28mm
Joves wrote: For wildlife I want all the frames I can get. It isnt like they will stand there and let you get the shot, the only place I see them do that is at the Grand Canyon.
Bubbagoat 28mm
When they move, their legs get in interesting positions that a single shot may miss.
I think it depends on what you are shooting, and how fast it moves. I can see how sports and action photographers might find very high fps handy. For the subjects I shoot getting more than a shot or two a second just means more photos to delete.
I do use it when shooting available light hand held with very slow shutter speeds. Sometimes the second or third shot exhibit less camera shake. Very occasionally I use it for hand held HDR bracketing.
MLKstudios wrote: Henri Cartier-Bresson, who gave us The Decisive Moment (shooting at just the right time and place) used a camera with 1 FPS.
You think he could get 1 fps? Those older Leicas have a wind knob instead of a lever.
I agree with Henry and Rob posted a perfect example for high FPS. It is just like ISO, Aperture and shutter speed. It is situational as to when it's needed. Henry's w light example is spot on. The initial shake from pressing the shutter release has passed and your second or third shot might well be sharper. 's guys.
Here is a continuous shot series of an eagle landing. The last five are continuous.
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Shooting an eagle taking off and landing is a great spot for high FPS. It is amazing how many different wing, tail and talon positions are in one one takeoff. 
) 
's guys.
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