Comments on: How to Enjoy Photography When Your Hands Shake

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:28:32 +0000

Many years ago when people used 35mm film SLR’s (remember those) I had a friend with a similar problem. I don’t know who supplied it, but he had a neck brace with cantilevered arms so the camera could be swung up to eye level. He used to enter our photography club competitions with pictures that were pin sharp even at slower shutter speeds. Maybe this device is still available ??

By: Norm

Norm — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:02:39 +0000

This is a wonderful thread – very comforting to those who have similar difficulties to surmount.

I would add the following suggestions:

If you carry a mini-tripod capable of supporting your camera, or a camera clamp, you can brace the camera against any available object.

There are many phtographers who feel that a tripod should be used in every possible situation – the results will be much better for anything except subjects where you have to pan with the action – and even then, a good pan head can do the trick even for those whose hands shake a bit.

If you have a ball head, and find it difficult to adjust the camera because once released, the ball lets the camera “flop around” in every direction, then select a geared head, which lets you control the movement of the camera very precisely, and lock it in place – the Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head is an excellent example of this – check it out here:
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2344?livid=80|81&idx=85

If you have a tripod with a ball head, or a pan head that is just not working for you, take a look to see if the head is interchangable – if it is, and the tripod legs are appropriate for your needs, you can change just the head, and save a bundle.

Norm.

By: Allan

Allan — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:33:09 +0000

My hands shake all the time. Don’t be discouraged. Here is a website that I have found to be very helpful.

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-avoid-camera-shake

By: Linda Hanley

Linda Hanley — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:15:00 +0000

Possibly a “chainpod” would be helpful. You can make one with a small cable or cord & an eye bolt to fit the tripod screw mount. Adjust the lenth for your height so you can stand on one end & pull up with the camera on the other, it will add stability without the bulk of a monopod. It can be used where a tripod or monopod is not allowed.
If bulk isn’t a problem, a gunstock mount might help since you hold it against your body for stability & should reduce shake.

By: Alan B Steele

Alan B Steele — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:45:46 +0000

Try using weight to stabilize the camera. In the ‘old days’ it used to be said that a heavy camera was a steady camera. You will probably have to bolt some thing to the base of the body – like a motor drive for eg. to get this to work.

By: Mike Spivey

Mike Spivey — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:05:32 +0000

I don’t have tremors but I am not as steady as I used to be. I find that if I can jam the camera eyepiece into my face, I can steady it quite a bit. That pretty much means a SLR. The newer the model, the better the high ISO shooting will be. It may be that you just need to find something to lean on also if you don’t want to use a tripod. Good Luck