Relationship between lens focal length and not having to use a tripod?

I was just reading that they suggest you use a tripod when your shutter speed is less than the maximum total focal length of your lens. So if you are shooting with a 200mm lens you want to shoot at least 1/200 second or greater if shooting hand held, and everything slower you want to use a tripod. Now what happens when you have a lens that has some sort of vibration reduction or image stabilization?

IS or VR usually gives you about 2 f/stops. That said, a tripod STILL gives you a sharper image, especially at distance. At least that has been my experience "shooting" eagles.

It's true. In the end it's a guide line. The VR lenses just help a little bit for when you need to shoot hand held. When I had my 70-300 VR lens, I loved shooting hand held when a bird was flying above. It's neck breaking to bend like that on a tripod. I know all too well, I do it often with my 50-500. I could be following a bird, that is straight out in front of me, then flys above, I continue to follow and get a pain in the neck. lol

There are a lot of tricks that can be performed to give you a stable shooting platform. Camera grip and body stability are the most common. For example, use the viewfinder and bring your elbows into your body. Now sit down or lean against something immobile like a tree or building. Another fine trick is to use a strap or cord to tie the lens barrel to a tree or post. Prop the camera with a sandbag or perhaps the crook of a tree limb. Anything that would stabilize a rifle would work for a camera... They both give you a better shot.

chasrich wrote: There are a lot of tricks that can be performed to give you a stable shooting platform. Camera grip and body stability are the most common. For example, use the viewfinder and bring your elbows into your body. Now sit down or lean against something immobile like a tree or building. Another fine trick is to use a strap or cord to tie the lens barrel to a tree or post. Prop the camera with a sandbag or perhaps the crook of a tree limb. Anything that would stabilize a rifle would work for a camera... They both give you a better shot.

About image stabilization, it can have a big impact. I get sharp results with a 75-300 IS USM set to 200mm handheld at 1/60 second easily with the IS on. I've even gotten acceptable shots all the way down to 1/20 @ 300mm. If you're familiar with shooting rifles, it'll be no surprise that breathing technique will work wonders in steadying a camera too.

Yasko wrote:

chasrich wrote: There are a lot of tricks that can be performed to give you a stable shooting platform. Camera grip and body stability are the most common. For example, use the viewfinder and bring your elbows into your body. Now sit down or lean against something immobile like a tree or building. Another fine trick is to use a strap or cord to tie the lens barrel to a tree or post. Prop the camera with a sandbag or perhaps the crook of a tree limb. Anything that would stabilize a rifle would work for a camera... They both give you a better shot.

About image stabilization, it can have a big impact. I get sharp results with a 75-300 IS USM set to 200mm handheld at 1/60 second easily with the IS on. I've even gotten acceptable shots all the way down to 1/20 @ 300mm. If you're familiar with shooting rifles, it'll be no surprise that breathing technique will work wonders in steadying a camera too.

With both.
It is called the 1to1 Rule. You dont need VR/IS either to shoot slower with proper technique.