Shutter Speeds. In this fourth issue of The Art of Photography, the focus is on using shutter speeds with your AF 35mm EOS cameras in creating better pictures. Also, beginning with this issue, the Canon EOS users as well as other photo enthusiasts will find the techniques described in Art of Photography using various features of EOS cameras will now be more candid than ever in addition to the technical descriptions of photography's fundamentals essential towards improving your photography knowledge. Still, let it be known that all the techniques as described here are meant to serve as mere guidelines to help the EOS users improve their photography expertise. If any EOS users have their own techniques or ideas which work well or better, do continue using them by all means. All the techniques being described here, are additional tips to be added or refined towards any techniques the EOS users may already have. What is a shutter speed? For the EOS users and other serious photo enthusiasts who already know what shutter speed really is can skip this page and proceed straight to Why Are Shutter Speeds So Important? (on next page) and other text describing how to use shutter speeds further to create better pictures. Simply put, shutter speed refers to the length of the exposure time. A fast shutter speed of 1/2000 sec., 1/4000 sec., etc. means the shutter curtains is open for only that brief instant. A slower shutter speed of 1/30 sec., _ sec. means the opposite, the exposure is made with the shutter curtains open for a comparatively longer period of time. In EOS cameras, the shutter speed readouts are displayed via digital numerical in the LCD panel atop the camera bodies where the numbers such as "4000" means 1/4000 of a second and a 4" display means the shutter speed selected and displayed on the LCD panel is 4 seconds long. The fraction indicator of 1/ is left out to simplify things; so when you say you are shooting at "four thousand", you are actually shooting at "one four-thousandth". All these numbers refer to the time the shutter curtains are left opened to let in the light that is coming through the photographic lens in order to strike the film and form an image. The timing of the respective shutter speeds are therefore important in determining the outcome of your photographic results. The shutter mechanism used by EOS cameras is a vertical-travel focal plane shutter with soft-touch electromagnetic release. All speeds are electronically controlled for absolute precision. A twin curtain mechanism is employed. The first curtain opens when the film is advanced and the second curtain opens at the instant of exposure. The first curtain then closes to end the exposure and followed by the second curtain closing. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 .