a quick technique for grip improvement.

link

came across something other people might find useful.

I'd not been happy lately with how I've been standing when shooting and I was starting to feel that technique was playing a big part in the lack of keepers I was getting. sometimes I get a shot bang on and then the next one was lacking.

then I did a bit of looking online, came across this video and bingo, big improvement. two samples attached showing the difference.

Both are iso 3200 with very slow shutter speed and about F4 or 5 on the 18-55 WR lens on the K3 body. low shutter speed NR is turned on and shake reduction is turned on too.

First shot is with my normal techinque. As you can see, very prone to shake due to exposure times. The second shot, much crisper and more solid.

Very interesting - good link - thanks!

So, Lancer3397, are you a 'left eye' too?

Crikey!He must have a very short and twisty neck compared to mine! Can't get near the viewfinder!

Lol I was thinking that as well, with regards to squishing the camera into my shoulder. Possibly easier for a lefty!

Good to raise the importance though, good technique shouldn't be overlooked. Actually having a laugh at how the 'spec's crawlers' might be missing the point about iso and shake reduction performance with fundamentally dodgy basic techniques.

Interesting video. I jsut tried something similar to what he did at 3:330 and rested the lens on my upper left arm while using my left hand to grip my right arm. It felt much more solid.

I find this works quite well - straps to the shoulder and you can use whichever hand suits.

However I worry slightly about using it on the street.

Roger

to answer the questions, no I wasn't a left eye shooter.

what I've found with this technique is by using my left eye, my nose mashes into the pad of my right thumb gripping the camera, so straight away I have an extra thing to press against and hold steady.

I don't know so much about having a swivel neck but I am quite broad shouldered which does help. Also, doing it without the grip attached to the camera body makes it a bit difficult to get your shoulder to the camera.

this is what my rig looks like.




I came across the hama shoulder mount quite by chance and snagged it for £20 on ebay last summer.

Tried that myself today and it does work. Left elbow feels a bit out there but it's certainly steady.

Thanks for sharing. It certainly works. Tried some shots at 1/15sec and the results were noticeably sharper.

I watched the video. looked good. then i tried it and now my wife is trying to untangle my arms.

I possible stick to my existing method.

Regards, Horst

For modest lenses just pass the strap round the back of your head then twist it as many times as required that a final twist with your right hand effectively clamps the camera to your face. Not for every day shots but a very useful technique if you need to use a fairly low shutter speed! With film cameras I could go down to 1/8th without noticeable camera shake.

I too have adopted this and seen drastic improvements, thanks for the link.