Camera Shake Tips

[dinduboy14]

Hi all,

Any tips on keeping hand steady while catching photos?

i seem to have this problem where most of my pictures are bluury due to hand shaking. (worse bit is that I am using VR2 lens but still poor picture quality!!!)
Problem is that i hold the camera body on right hand and left hand if on the bottom bit of lense and when i click shutter, my left hand seem moves too which causes this.

Pictures seem much better when I only use my right hand but that kinda feels weird.. (not sure where to put my left hand) :?

Any of you guys with this problem too? :redface: Plz advise? Thanks

[limgt]

1) Bump ISO to increase shutter speed

2) Use widest aperture possible, also to increase shutter speed

3) Use self-timer (Set to 2 or 5 secs), click shutter then make sure both hands steady

4) Use Continuous/Burst shot mode, click shutter and hold it to take 3-4 pics continuously then select the sharpest image (Usually 2nd - 3rd pic)

5) Use the tripod!!!

[kiankheong]

The rule of thumb for your shutter speed is 1/focal length.

Let's say you are shooting using a 50mm lens, the minimum shutter speed is 1/50 sec. Blur/shake is noticeable when you are at 1/30 sec or longer.

Furthermore, brace the camera against something solid (wall) or your face for added support.

[ShaolinTiger]

You can also use bracing techniques, pull the camera strap tight around your elbow to steady the camera, or lean your body on a wall or something sturdy so your body is firmly positioned.

The most important though is having fast enough shutter speed.

The normal rule is 1/focal length * multiplier (if it's a cropped cam).

So for example if you are shooting at 100mm * 1.5 multipler is 1/150s shutter speed to get a shake free photo.

You can go a bit lower because of VR (1-2 stops usually) and a little slower if you have good technique.

[dinduboy14]

much thansk guys for the helpful tips.

i do not have an external flash and usually snap pictures at night which results in higher ISOs and slow shutter speed. This could be part of the the cause for bluur.

just wanted to find out if for low end DSLR cameras they have a strap which you can strap around the palm of your end. Kinda like the onces used for camcoder or even the professional Dslrs like nikons D3 or canon Mark3s.

[dinduboy14]

wohoo! ok i've found it so ignore this message :D :D

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Trigonal-Hand-Strap-for-Nikon-D40-D40x-D80-D200-D300_W0QQitemZ260206991042QQihZ016QQcategoryZ50507 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[mki88]

The strap could help but it is not the solution. Most importantly, U need to practise the correct way of holding the SLR, brace yourself and hold your breath when taking the shot. U will need several practise to achieve steady shot.

[noordin]

The other trick is to focus using *AF-ON* and just click the shutter when you're ready. The hand grip helps but not that much.

[atim]

The rule of thumb for your shutter speed is 1/focal length.

Let's say you are shooting using a 50mm lens, the minimum shutter speed is 1/50 sec. Blur/shake is noticeable when you are at 1/30 sec or longer.

Furthermore, brace the camera against something solid (wall) or your face for added support.

Sorry to interrupt.. noob question here... it is mean if i used 28-70mm..my minimum shutter speed is depend on focal length..?..if im at 70mm..it minimum at 1/70sec..??..mind to confirm from u all..thanks..

[ND40]

Sorry to interrupt.. noob question here... it is mean if i used 28-70mm..my minimum shutter speed is depend on focal length..?..if im at 70mm..it minimum at 1/70sec..??..mind to confirm from u all..thanks..

70mm X 1.5 crop factor (vary) = 105mm
so shutter speed should be 1/105....closest i think is 1/100 or 1/150....

[kiankheong]

ST's formula is more polished.

Another trick is to be aware of your breathing. Usually, hold your breath before pressing the shutter.

[ShaolinTiger]

Actually if you hold your breath you'll get vibration from your heart beat which will cause slight shake in the picture.

Best is to take a deep breath, then slowly but smoothly breath out whilst pressing the shutter, much less chance of any shake.

[atim]

nice...thanks ND40 and other peoples... good tips to encounter my camera shake problems..

[dinduboy14]

Wah! Great tip! didn’t think about breathing technique! *wonders in astonishment* gees this forum is truly wonderful. Much thanks gurus!

[goliath]

Actually if you hold your breath you'll get vibration from your heart beat which will cause slight shake in the picture.

Best is to take a deep breath, then slowly but smoothly breath out whilst pressing the shutter, much less chance of any shake.

I've to agree with this. I always breathe out slowly whilst pressing the shutter button.. It is definitely better than holding your breath..

[dinduboy14]

Gurus, more silly question for newbie;
how about standing posture?..im sure that would help but not sure what is recommended?

i dont think both legs open wide (kang-kang) is a good idea :D :D
For me its left leg in front, right leg back and "click"
Any proper posture to use?? (e.g. body angled 90degrees)
Much thanks!

[tools4fools]

Saying that tou take a lot of night shots with high ISo and still low shutter speed me thinks:

- your speed must be really low. None of above will really help. For that kind of shooting you do need a tripod. High ISO and VR cannot replace a tripod for night shooting.

- You will have motion blur in your pictures at those low shutter speed. People move all times. Depending on how much they move you can get motion blur already easily at 1/60 sec. Down at 1/15sec they will have to be frozen to get sharp shots...even slow and slight movement will result in motion blur at such slow speeds.

All in all you simply seem to have hit the capabilities of your set up. Solutions: get faster lens, get tripod, get camera with higher ISO capability...

+++++

[ARDTM155]

wohoo! ok i've found it so ignore this message :D :D

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Trigonal-Hand-Strap-for-Nikon-D40-D40x-D80-D200-D300_W0QQitemZ260206991042QQihZ016QQcategoryZ50507 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Nikon has got their own handstrap too. It's called the AH-4. This is what I'm using at the moment.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Nikon-AH-4-Leather-Hand-Grip-Review.aspx

[dinduboy14]

thanks bro for that info
this is truely poison!!..need time to ponder now :D

[lawrenz]

Talking about camera shake, found this link on a flickr group discussion..

$1 image stabilizer for any camera (http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1041948/1_image_stabilizer_for_any_camera_lose_the_tripod/)

[noordin]

Here's a tip from photo.net (http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00NpFf)

[liewwk]

Hi all,

Any tips on keeping hand steady while catching photos?

i seem to have this problem where most of my pictures are bluury due to hand shaking. (worse bit is that I am using VR2 lens but still poor picture quality!!!)
Problem is that i hold the camera body on right hand and left hand if on the bottom bit of lense and when i click shutter, my left hand seem moves too which causes this.

Pictures seem much better when I only use my right hand but that kinda feels weird.. (not sure where to put my left hand) :?

Any of you guys with this problem too? :redface: Plz advise? Thanks

Try this... I tried.. it is useful for me..

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1041948/1_image_stabilizer_for_any_camera_lose_the_tripod/