[hks_kansei]

As per the title, I tend to have great difficulty with keeping my hands steady at anything around 1/125 or below.

Are there any tips/tricks/excercises to help?





(worth noting, this is with an *istDS, so no shake reduction)

[johnyates]

See if your Dr. will prescribe you some Propranolol. It helps me a bit with my tremors, but what works best is having a sufficiently high shutter speed, and failing that, a tripod or monopod.

For hand holding, shoot at as wide an aperture as you can get away with, focusing carefully.

Don't forget you can up the ISO. Better to have noisy and sharp vs soft from camera shake.

[vonBaloney]

Cigarettes.

[johnyates]

Cigarettes.

Ya, they work too.

[blackcloudbrew]

Use a tripod and remote shutter release?

[southlander]

There is an excellent article on how to improve steadiness of handheld camera shots right here on this site:

Making the Most of Long Exposure Handhelds - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

[crewl1]

There is an article written by member Heie that provides tips on best methods for holding the camera for steady shots.
See Making the Most of Long Exposure Handhelds - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

[crewl1]

Hey Southlander great minds!

[hks_kansei]

Tripod works perfectly, but it's not really practical for everyday shooting.

Medication works....... but I tend to use photography as a relaxation hobby so I don't need medication


I'll read the link posted.

[Bramela]

I have a genetic shake (Essential Tremor : Google it) as have a number of extended family members
My Doc prescribed Inderal, which does help a bit, but as he said a few glasses of alcohol is the best remedy, but he didn't recommend it really. More cons than pros with that.

I try to keep the shutter speed up as much as possible and practical, under the circumstance at the time.

[Eric Auer]

No Coffee and work on your breathing.

Google what competetive marksmen do......

[Heie]

There is an excellent article on how to improve steadiness of handheld camera shots right here on this site: Making the Most of Long Exposure Handhelds - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

There is an article written by member Heie that provides tips on best methods for holding the camera for steady shots. See Making the Most of Long Exposure Handhelds - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

I saw the thread title and was going to post the article, but apparently you guys beat me to it.

I'm honored it has had such an effect that you recommend it to others.

Thank you

And I hope that helps, hks_kansei. Feel free to pm me if you have any specific questions and/or I didn't explain myself well enough in the article.

-Heie

[JohnX]

As per the title, I tend to have great difficulty with keeping my hands steady at anything around 1/125 or below.

Are there any tips/tricks/excercises to help?

(worth noting, this is with an *istDS, so no shake reduction)

You don't say why? It's going to be either technique (which you can improve with practice) or physical.

As has been said, if it's a condition that might respond to medication, that's one route. If on the other hand it's age or disability,etc, then tripods, monopods, 'gorilla' pods, bean bags, etc are all worth exploring.

If you find a solution, don't forget to share it here. There are plenty of us in the same boat.

[Checking...jono]

I recommend Heie's article, also. It was a great help for me.

[bossa]

One method that I find useful is to:
1. Stand looking to your left (over your shoulder)
2. Spread your feet to about shoulder width.
3. Raise your left arm to shoulder height, crossing horizontally in front of your body and bent at the elbow.
4. Raise the camera and rest it's base (or grip base) on your left shoulder pointing it away from your side but holding it with your right hand in the usual manner.
5. Place your left hand on top of your right forearm facing downwards, holding that arm at about the elbow. This is for extra 'core' balance.
6. If you are using a longer lens then support that lens with your left upper arm.
7. Look through the camera viewfinder with your left eye.
8. Take a deep breath and exhale in a smooth relaxed manner and imagine breathing into the VF whilst gently squeezing the shutter button without jamming down.

This works best with a battery grip attached.
Long lenses can be supported by the left upper arm in this context.

A few more tips:
1. You can lean on a wall, fence, or any other stable object, that is conveniently placed for the shot as well. Your hand/s should placed between solid objects and the camera so as to not damage the camera and/or lens.
2. With long lenses and traditional technique you should support the lens as far along it's barrel as possible (with the left hand) so as to minimize rotational movements.. i.e. You can even hold the hood to support the lens in the left hand if it's not too heavy.

Hope this helps.