If using a 200mm lens, what is the slowest shutter speed advisable for hand-holding the camera?

When using a lens, the traditional guideline for determining the slowest shutter speed that can be hand-held without introducing camera shake is to use the reciprocal of the focal length of the lens. For a 200mm lens, this means you would ideally want a shutter speed of 1/200 seconds or faster.

However, many photographers account for slight inconsistencies in their hand-holding technique or any potential movement by opting for faster shutter speeds than the calculated reciprocal value. The common recommendation is to round up to the nearest standard shutter speed.

In this case, after rounding 1/200 seconds, the next typical standard shutter speed would be approximately 1/250 seconds. This ensures that even with the little movements that might occur while hand-holding the camera, the image remains stable and sharp.

Thus, choosing a shutter speed around 1/250 seconds allows for a safer margin and higher likelihood of avoiding motion blur, making it the advisable option for hand-holding a camera with a 200mm lens.