How to minimize the camera shake: Hi Guys, I’m a amateur photographer and using a Canon SX60 Bridge camera. With this camera it is very hard (almost impossible) to take a clear picture...

suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

Hi Guys,

I’m a amateur photographer and using a Canon SX60 Bridge camera. With this camera it is very hard (almost impossible) to take a clear picture when using long zoom. I know I can use a tripod. But it is not practical at all time. What are the techniques I can use to minimize the camera shake ?

Thanks and Best Regards,
/Suneth

Chwlo

suneth wrote:

Hi Guys,

I’m a amateur photographer and using a Canon SX60 Bridge camera. With this camera it is very hard (almost impossible) to take a clear picture when using long zoom. I know I can use a tripod. But it is not practical at all time. What are the techniques I can use to minimize the camera shake ?

Thanks and Best Regards,
/Suneth

A monopod is much easier to carry around. Some people carry a small sand or bean bag and stage them for preset shots. Not practical for action shots.
Hope that helps.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Simple DIY trick: buy 2+" plastic 1/4 20 screw at ACE HdWare. Go to the Tennis court and grab a ball and run to beat hell... cut a slit in the ball and fill with Plaster of Paris embedding the screw into the PoParis. extend the bolt out far enough you can get your fingers between the ball and the camera. There is a snug nut that is available on Ebay for next to nothing... this snugs the camera to prevent rotation on the screw.

You hold the ball eagle grip and put the right hand against the camera and fire with rt index finger. This grip prevents shake. Oh! yes, the weight in the ball stabilizes based on added weight... camera and ball are like a dumb bell.

https://lifehacker.com/5383615/diy-tennis-ball-photography-stabilization-unit
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Metal-Pro-1-4-inch-Dual-Nut-Tripod-Mount-Screw-To-Flash-Camera-Hot-Shoe-Adapters/291861807404?hash=item43f451c12c:g:cXQAAOSwi0RXx6X9

CO

You can make a stringpod. It consists of a piece of rope and a 1/4-20 thread size eyelet bolt. You tie the rope to the eyelet bolt and thread it into the tripod socket on the bottom of the camera. You then step on the other end of the rope and pull up so there's a little tension in the rope. The tension in the rope helps to stabilize the camera. It actually works. You can roll up the rope and put it in your pocket.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Using a fast shutter speed helps. If you are in the car, put a beanbag over the edge of the car door and rest the camera on that. But - this is why photographers use tripods and monopods.

suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

Chwlo wrote:

A monopod is much easier to carry around. Some people carry a small sand or bean bag and stage them for preset shots. Not practical for action shots.
Hope that helps.

Thanks for commenting Chwlo. Yes, I'm thinking about to buy a monomod. But still I like to walk around only with the camera.

suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

dpullum wrote:

Simple DIY trick: buy 2+" plastic 1/4 20 scre... (show quote)

Thank you very much !! Definitely I'll try this.

suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

CO wrote:

You can make a stringpod. It consists of a piece of rope and a 1/4-20 thread size eyelet bolt. You tie the rope to the eyelet bolt and thread it into the tripod socket on the bottom of the camera. You then step on the other end of the rope and pull up so there's a little tension in the rope. The tension in the rope helps to stabilize the camera. It actually works. You can roll up the rope and put it in your pocket.

Thanks for commenting. I'll try this too.

suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

sb wrote:

Using a fast shutter speed helps. If you are in the car, put a beanbag over the edge of the car door and rest the camera on that. But - this is why photographers use tripods and monopods.

Thanks for commenting. I've tried with fast shutter speed but not much help. Since I'm using a relatively small camera and no additional lenses, I like to carry only the camera. So, thinking about learn few tips and tricks from professionals.

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

[quote=suneth]Hi Guys,

I’m a amateur photographer and using a Canon SX60 Bridge camera. With this camera it is very hard (almost impossible) to take a clear picture when using long zoom. I know I can use a tripod. But it is not practical at all time. What are the techniques I can use to minimize the camera shake?]

I see lots of folks trying to hold their DSLR like they used to hold their old Instamatics. It is just the natural way that people with little experience grip their cameras.

Take a look at the link below for the proper technique. The keys are, support the center of the camera/lens weight with the left hand, elbows tight against the body, lean into the front foot as if your shooting a shotgun, take a breath and hold it as you squeeze the shutter release.

https://digital-photography-school.com/prevent-dslr-camera-shake-with-these-3-techniques/

Using this technique, I was able to take sharp shots down to 1/15 second shutter speed...that was in my younger days, I can't do it now.

Another overlooked tip is to brace your body into a nearby solid object if possible, such as a tree, doorframe, etc.

Good luck and good shooting.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

dpullum wrote:

Simple DIY trick: buy 2+" plastic 1/4 20 scre... (show quote)

dp, for gods sake, that's the most complex thing I've ever read about! Where does that hacker guy come up with that useless info?! Remind me to never read his blog!!! LoL
For ten dollars, he can buy one of these and he doesn't have to worry about getting beat to death with a tennis racquet, in case the girl outruns him!!! LoL
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/930213-REG/revo_vb_110b_3_hand_grip_for.html
Or he can make one for $1 out of an old broom handle using a hanger bolt, that's what I did!!!
Good luck
SS

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

suneth wrote:

Thanks for commenting. I've tried with fast shutter speed but not much help. Since I'm using a relatively small camera and no additional lenses, I like to carry only the camera. So, thinking about learn few tips and tricks from professionals.

Then you didn't try a high enough shutter speed. Go to higher ISO if necessary to get a speed that will shop camera motion. Are you sure it is motion and not a focus problem?

Leitz Loc: Solms

suneth wrote:

Hi Guys,

I’m a amateur photographer and using a Canon SX60 Bridge camera. With this camera it is very hard (almost impossible) to take a clear picture when using long zoom. I know I can use a tripod. But it is not practical at all time. What are the techniques I can use to minimize the camera shake ?

Thanks and Best Regards,
/Suneth

Practice your hand-holding technique, gently squeeze the shutter release while exhaling

Chwlo

suneth wrote:

Thanks for commenting Chwlo. Yes, I'm thinking about to buy a monomod. But still I like to walk around only with the camera.

Me too. Mine has a Velcro strap so I hang it from my belt when not in use. I forget it is there most the time, until I go to sit in my car. 🙂👍

jmvaugh Loc: Albuquerque

Another trick that works is to adopt the shooting stance mentioned in the links and put your left elbow, which is holding the lens, against your abdomen, right around/below your rib cage. Hit the shutter after a long slow exhale. Practice it repeatedly. I was able to steady my handhold down to 1/15 seconds.