Holding a DSLR!?

ok so im a n00b still ive had my camera for almost 6 months but ive only had time to shoot maybe 200 photos but thats beside the point

THE FIRST THING I LOOKED UP was how to HOLD the DSLR camera and from what i learned you hold the grip with the right hand and you support the lens with your left hand, keep your elbows in and try to steady your self using ur elbows on ur body....

what i keep seeing more and more as i see beginner photographers around me (wedding spectators, students, and people on facebook is holding the camera correctly but supporting the lens like a telescope (holding the lens as you would if you were drinking a can of coke)

it seems awkward to me but is this acceptable.. i want to tell them theyre doing it wrong lol but i dont wanna make myself look like an ARSE lol

You support the weight with your left hand under the lens and guide the camera with your right.

The "Claw" method of holding a camera is not correct and can lead to unsteadiness.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9959405
You support the weight with your left hand under the lens and guide the camera with your right.

The "Claw" method of holding a camera is not correct and can lead to unsteadiness.

haha "claw" yeahhh i figured.. but i wanted to be sure before a noob like myself tries to give advice on photography.. dont want to seem snooty either

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9959405
The "Claw" method of holding a camera is not correct and can lead to unsteadiness.

No to mention a good case of arthritus ..

Don't forget to either hold your breath while taking the picture, or exhale steady when you press the shutter button. Its a technique marksman use but works in photography to!

Tomi Hawk wrote in post #9959441
No to mention a good case of arthritus ..

haha yea i mean to me it was natural to hold the camera that way .. any other way would be uncomfortable... have you guys seen this alot? its weird that ive seen it like 3 times in like 7 days lol

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9959405
You support the weight with your left hand under the lens and guide the camera with your right.

The "Claw" method of holding a camera is not correct and can lead to unsteadiness.

True, but holding it the right way makes using the zoom ring (for me anyway) significantly more tiresome.

mbellot wrote in post #9959524
True, but holding it the right way makes using the zoom ring (for me anyway) significantly more tiresome.

There's a really nifty trick I learned that can make this quicker and easier...

Instead of ungripping and re-gripping to turn the zoom ring, keep your grip on the zoom ring and rotate the camera body instead. More leverage and you don't have to change your grip to do it.

Quick move up or down with the right hand and you're right back to a level horizon.

Try it and see for yourself if it makes a difference.

Does the Push-Pull zoom lenses use the same method of holding?

When we used the manual focus zooms, the focus was on the same ring as the zoom (at least on the Vivitar Series 1).
Is there a separate ring for focus on the P-P AF zooms?

DAMphyne wrote in post #9959929
Does the Push-Pull zoom lenses use the same method of holding?

When we used the manual focus zooms, the focus was on the same ring as the zoom (at least on the Vivitar Series 1).
Is there a separate ring for focus on the P-P AF zooms?

There is a separate ring but you can still shoot supporting the lens from underneath.

I see people shooting like this all the time with their kit lens or nifty fifty, etc. I would love to see someone attempt to support a 70-200 2.8 IS or a 100-400L like this. Holding the camera like this is not safe because it puts unsupported stress on the connection point of the lens and camera.

masterwillems wrote in post #9959454
Don't forget to either hold your breath while taking the picture, or exhale steady when you press the shutter button. Its a technique marksman use but works in photography to!

And shoot between heart beats like a sniper.

Just picked mine up to check how I hold it.

I hold the body with my right hand, and I form a "U" with the thumb and forefinger of my left hand. The lens rests on the third and fourth knuckles, and is also cradled by the thumb and forefinger. Not as a claw, but it could be interpreted as a grip when in fact it is just resting on the pads of those digits.

I also tried putting my hand around the lens as a claw. IMO, as long as the lens is just resting on the palm, and the hand is not actively gripping the lens, this is as valid a way of holding the camera as any other; the lens is supported by the hand, as it should be.

I think it is irrelevant. How you hold the camera is immaterial, what matters is the pictures. Think, Jeff Healey and the guitar.

MotoXPunk481 wrote in post #9962308
I see people shooting like this all the time with their kit lens or nifty fifty, etc. I would love to see someone attempt to support a 70-200 2.8 IS or a 100-400L like this. Holding the camera like this is not safe because it puts unsupported stress on the connection point of the lens and camera.

when I shoot with a 70-200 2.8 I put my left hand on my right shoulder and make a base, and rest the lens near my left elbow. This way I can use the muscles in my whole are to support the lens I can can shoot for days.

No, no, NO! You've all got it wrong.

You're supposed to hold the left and right side of the camera at arm's length and compose the picture on the LCD. This is the digital age, dad gum it!

Duh!?