Tips on how to hold small camera steady?

[ib2loud]

I can take fine pics with my S3, but when using my small nikon P&S camera, i have a hard time holding it steady. What are some tricks to use to not get blurry pictures when a tripod just won't fit in the area you're in?

open for discussion....

[Robukincan]

My 2 cents...

1. Breath out as you hit the shutter
2. If it has a strap, pull it taught (around your wrist for example)
3. Hold in both hands with arms/elbows against you
4. Lean against something if possible
5. Can you rest the camera on something?

Sure other folks have more ... good luck

[Transit]

use the viewfinder if it has one :)

[ss_kiran]

Use the 2 second delay. That way you will get 2 seconds to be steady and still .

[ib2loud]

use the viewfinder if it has one :)


I think that's why my S3 pictures are so much better, because i always use the viewfinder instead of holding it out to use the LCD...well that and the IS lens helps too

sadly the nikon only has a 2.5" LCD and it has so much shutter lag it's hard to time when it'll actually take the picture, half the time i think it's taken and i start to move only to find my picture isn't framed like it was supposed to be.

[Jon]

With no viewfinder you're kind of hampered. Lean against a wall, a tree, another person to help keep yourself steadier.

[BBoi]

Relax, breathe slowly (yoga is great for teaching you how to do this properly) to reduce the BPM of your heart, then try and take the shot inbetween beats.

[beeGjay]

to reduce the BPM of your heart, then try and take the shot inbetween beats. Buy a good stethascope. ;)

You can get one of the small light weight tripods, steady that on your leg or something without the legs extended. Sort of like using a small pole to seady something. That probably did not make much sense.

[JustShootin']

Buy a good stethascope. ;)

You can get one of the small light weight tripods, steady that on your leg or something without the legs extended. Sort of like using a small pole to seady something. That probably did not make much sense.

Small light duty monopods can be very handy when there's no room for a tripod. I have a very light duty, but sturdy one from walmart with a small slik ballhead on it. It works great. Of course, if there's no room fo that either, and you have no viewfinder, just do like beeGjay says, and get a stethascope, or maybe just go to a yoga class or something. :)

[Olegis]

I suggest this (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/709BR/site/manfrotto/cache/off?livid=68|69&idx=72). It's very small and light and yet very sturdy - it can even hold my 10D with a medium lens (Sigma 10-20 or Tamron 28-75 for example). With compact camera it can be placed almost everywhere, including pressing it against the vertical surfaces (walls, columns etc).

[Curtis N]

You need one of these (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=85089).

[O_T]

I agree with the above folks that suggest a small table top style tripod. It acts as a handle for your camera and helps give excellent support. One of the real inexpensive flex leg models works well also.

[ib2loud]

that gun handle idea is awesome, I'd definitely get some funny looks out on a car lot with that thing! I do think it's my heartbeat that's causing the blur, because i'm holding my hands as steady as possible and I can feel my heart beat when i'm taking the picture

[SaNdMaN82]

to me, using the EVF, makes all the difference... that's why i don't use LCD at all...

when you look trough the EVF, the cam is against your forehead, and your arms are in a way, they are pretty solid... Better results, if your arms are near or touching your body.

another thing: practice pressing the button without moving another hand mussle than the basic required ones... because of the grip the s2 has, if another finger is moved, the camera will slightly move...

and, remember that the sX series, has IS.... that also helps.

Now, about the compact ones... try the same things, don't use the lcd, use the vf... push the cam against your face, hold it with both hands... and press the shutter release correctly ;)

[JustShootin']

Now, about the compact ones... try the same things, don't use the lcd, use the vf... push the cam against your face, hold it with both hands... and press the shutter release correctly ;)

That's the problem. I don't believe the OP's compact Nikon has a viewfinder at all.

[ib2loud]

yeah it's a coolpix L1, just has a big LCD screen. I really hate the camera for the shake (my own fault) and how it overexposes anything in bright sunlight, it really does take crappy pictures IMO, but it's what the company gave me. I've been using my S3 the last few days, but I hate to use it and wear it out or even worse, drop it and not get reimbursed for it

here's an example of the difference in the coolpix & the S3 pictures

coolpix:
http://api.cdmdata.m7z.net/ftproot/Dealerfiles/4205/Photos/JTKKT624465003278-0.JPG

S3:

http://api.cdmdata.m7z.net/ftproot/Dealerfiles/4205/Photos/5TEJU62NX5Z119699-0.JPG

I know neither is that great, but there's definitely a difference