Camera shake!

[witchy]

Has anyone got any tips to help with camera shake.

I am OK with my smaller lenses but with the big one I am terrible :(

It's heavy which doesn't help and I do try to rest it on something but that is not always possible. What do you all do, do you drag a tripod everywhere with you?

[tim]

Unfortunately a tripod or monopod is the best solution to camera shake. There are image stabilisation lenses which help a lot, but you still need to stay reasonably still. You can do things like tuck your elbows into your sides, and try and brace yourself on a fence/wall/object, that can help.

[Jesper]

The standard advice with regard to avoiding camera shake is to use a shutter speed not slower than 1 divided by the focal length of the lens you're using. So, for example, if you have a 200mm lens (or if you've set your zoom lens to 200mm), use a shutter speed of 1/200 second or faster.

Some people believe that if you have an 1.6x crop factor camera (300D, 350D, 10D, 20D) you should also divide the shutter speed by the additional factor, so for 200mm you'd need a shutter speed of at least 1/320s.

If you use a lens with IS (Image Stabilizer), you will be able to use much slower shutter speeds and still get a reasonably sharp photo. It works really well. I have the 70-300 DO IS USM and I wouldn't want any other telephoto lens without IS...

[Andy_T]

Some people believe that if you have an 1.6x crop factor camera (300D, 350D, 10D, 20D) you should also divide the shutter speed by the additional factor, so for 200mm you'd need a shutter speed of at least 1/320s.


Common logic would suggest that - look at the X factor thread :shock: .

But even more important, it very much depends on how steady your hands are. You have to make some tests to find out what works for you. One guy can hand-hold 1/125 at 200 mm focal length with the 20D, while the other might need 1/500 to actually make it work.

Best regards,
Andy

[Toogy]

I suggest pratice, pratice & more pratice. Squeezing the shutter, not pushing it helps ALOT.

[rent]

i do bicep curls with my 300/f4. 100 reps/set, 3 sets/arm. rest 1 minute between sets. :p

-alex

[madplower4]

I've found that a few drinks help steady my hands! Pack a cooler and I bet you see improved results.

Just kidding of course, without a tripod or monopod, at length I need to be at least at 1/250 to eliminate blur.

[witchy]

HHHHHHHH I like the drink idea the best :)

Thanks for the info everyone, I will practice more and try some of the stuff that you said.