Holding a 20d

[wintoid]

I need help with holding my camera!

OK, sounds stupid right? But I do. I'm fine in landscape mode, but when I take pictures in portrait orientation, I have problems.


I have always supported weight of the camera by the palm of my left hand. Well, right where I would support the 20d, there's an eyelet for the strap, which is annoying and uncomfortable.
In portrait mode, my fingers struggle to turn the zoom ring without arching my hand to push the camera away a bit.
Most annoyingly, I find that I am often putting pressure on the side of the internal flash's mounting with my thumb, which can't be good for the camera, as this feels like a delicate mechanism (not that I use it really).


Does anyone else have these problems, or better yet a solution?

[Dante King]

just why I got a Grip and a different strap. Grip makes it much easier for me to hold the camera plus operate the controls in portrait mode. That will allow you to grip the cam with the right fingers and operate controls with same hand. Frees up the left for focus and scrathing body parts. W/O Grip it is more difficult for me. Had the same problem witht he neck strap so got a wrist strap and removed the other. Suits my handling. Would like to hear what others think about non neck straps and how they rate.

[dhbailey]

I always support my camera by the lens with my left hand, and by the body with my right hand (sort of have to, to operate the shutter release, don't I?)

I've never had a problem with either landscape or portrait mode, no matter the lens, holding the camera that way. This grip goes way back to my old manual-focus Canon AE1 film days.

[robertwgross]

First of all, are you using a battery grip or not?

Second, if not using a grip, do you hang the shutter button side down, or do you point the shutter button side up?

I never use a grip, and I always hang the shutter button side down. So, the camera weight is still with my left hand. Sometimes I twist my left hand around so that my fingers go onto the zoom barrel one way or the other way.

I don't know if you are shooting with an external flash unit. If you are, you can mount everything on a flash bracket, which is held by the left hand. That works well for weddings.

---Bob Gross---

[LisaMarie]

You want to have a solid grip of the camera with your right hand and cradle the lens from underneath with the left.



you can see further explanation for example at this link (http://www.vividlight.com/articles/112.htm)

* when the camera orientation is turned I still have a firm grasp of the body with my right hand ( except now my right hand is atop ) and my left hand will still cradle the lens from underneath. The only thing that changes is my right hand being up above instead of on the side.

[robertwgross]

Lisa, that doesn't address the portrait orientation.

---Bob Gross---

[dhbailey]

Keep your left hand on the lens, and simply rotate the body so the button is on the top, held in the right hand.

[wintoid]

Thanks all for your responses, I've been away this weekend...

First of all, are you using a battery grip or not?

No, no battery grip. I am unlikely to buy one, but just out of interest, does the grip duplicate the * button? That's what I'm using to focus with, so if it's not duplicated, then I will never buy a grip anyway :D

I'm using a 20d and (usually) a Tamron 28-75 lens.

Second, if not using a grip, do you hang the shutter button side down, or do you point the shutter button side up?

From my perspective, I rotate the camera body 90 degrees anticlockwise (counterclockwise), so the shutter button is at the top.

I never use a grip, and I always hang the shutter button side down. So, the camera weight is still with my left hand. Sometimes I twist my left hand around so that my fingers go onto the zoom barrel one way or the other way.

I didn't quite follow that. I must have misunderstood what you said. If the shutter button is at the bottom, surely your right hand is supporting the weight?

Hmm.... wow I just tried twisting my left hand around so that the palm faces away from me, and it's much better! Perhaps this is the solution I needed! Thanks, that may be the most genuinely useful piece of information I've got from this forum (which is saying a LOT!).

I don't know if you are shooting with an external flash unit. If you are, you can mount everything on a flash bracket, which is held by the left hand. That works well for weddings.

Yeah I probably wouldn't do that for the same reason I avoid the grip... I just don't want extra bulk.

Thanks again.

[RichardtheSane]

No, no battery grip. I am unlikely to buy one, but just out of interest, does the grip duplicate the * button? That's what I'm using to focus with, so if it's not duplicated, then I will never buy a grip anyway :D

The grip duplicates botht he thumb buttons so your * and focus point selection button will be there. I have the grip and use it frequently, but agree that it is sometimes nice to be without the extra bulk :)

[rfreschner]

I have the grip and use it frequently, but agree that it is sometimes nice to be without the extra bulk :)

I don't know anyone that has one and this is what keeps me from pulling the trigger and getting one. I'd love to have the buttons on top, but just don't know about the size.

[CyberDyneSystems]

If you shoot a lot of portrait I would highly recomend the grip.

I used to have one for the 10D and it's built inot the MkII...

I don't have one for the 20D as it is my "portable option" as compared to the beastly MkII,. but the first time I had the 20D out for a shoot where I used portrait a lot,. I certainly wished I had the grip.

I know one photographer whom iin the absence of a portriat grip allways turns his camera "the other way"... with the shutter side down. He tucks his elbow and arm in tight to his body and thus uses his body to stabilize the whole affair...

I tried it for a while,. and find it awkward,.. but he swears by it. It makes sense I have to admit as opposed to extending one arm up above the camera as we do.

[rfreschner]

If you shoot a lot of portrait I would highly recomend the grip.

It's only a matter of time before I stop hemming and hawing, I'm sure...