Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

Any advice, tips, resources?

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

In lieu of handholding the camera, I'd suggest using a tripod (or monopod depending on how severe the parkinson's is). A quick release plate should make it reasonably easy to attach/detach the camera. You could also use a remote for your shutter so you wouldn't have any direct contact with the camera.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I would consider moving to a body with IS (image stabilization) and lenses also. I’m beginning to develop a slight tremor which is causing me to consider trading my Fuji X-T2 for an X-T4 only to get the stabilization.

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

I have both a brother and a cousin with Parkinson's and I am fairly well acquainted with some of the challenges they face. First, use a good tripod. This a a requisite even for those of us who do not have Parkinson's. No matter how we wish it were not the case, just about all of us get a bit more shaky with the advancing years. The next thing I would do is use a remote shutter release. Get the camera set up and pointed in the direction you like and shoot away. And perhaps it goes without saying that photography with subjects that don't move too much will be easier. Not sure how you would undertake 'Birds in Flight' photography with too much success. Finally, enlist the help of a good assistant. If you are married, smile and explain what a great endeavor photography is. I now have one foot that does not work too well, so I drag my wife along and she is kind enough to carry things that are hard for me and we have a great time--frankly more fun than I used to have going out alone. For your shots, the fact that a helper assists in the set up and pointing of the camera, will in no way detract from your vision of what will make a good shot. Finally, take the time as soon as you can to go to the places you have always wanted to go and take the shots you have always wanted to take. I wish you the very best going forward and trust you will still have lots of enjoyable photographic outings and great shots to enjoy for long into the future. I will leave other technical suggestions to our fellow Hoggers. It's a great forum and I am always amazed at how willing our members are to help one another.

Quixdraw Loc: x

My experience, the last couple of years with various medical issues, fortunately diminishing, is that continuing photography is essential to retaining a decent life. There are all sorts of adaptive methods, just for basic living as well as for photography. Embrace all you require and continue to push on.

tramsey Loc: Texas

Here's what a professional wild life photographer with Parkinson's has to say

https://digitalrev.com/2016/04/29/wildlife-photographer-proves-parkinsons-is-no-obstacle/

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Sadly, I can relate to Parkinson's Disease, From the time I was 10-years old, my Mom's sister, who suffered from advanced Parkinsons', lived with us. At one point, her tremors were so pronounced and severe, that she finally underwent neurosurgery to mitigate some of the severity. After the surgery, she had some speech difficulty and would oftentimes lunge forward and fall when attempting to walk. She has diagnosed rather early in her life- in her mid-forties. Of course, there was medication as well. She still managed to work with her hands. The illness forced her to interrupt her career as a secretary and bookkeeper but she worked on a project with the Federation of the Handicapped in New York City. Seems they took on a contract to repair Weston Exposure meters, factory trained the personnel and my Aunt Celia went to work 4-days each week fix meters for 5 years. I don't know how she did it but she was able to control her tremors when concentring on precision work.

Nowadas, I understand the therpies, medication and surgeries have advanced and I hope you will be able to do some photography. I don't know what your level of mobility and hand control is but I am sure you can kinda improvise some ways of stabilizing the camera and find a way of doing some work that does not require physical strain. I have helped some of my fellow Vietnam Vets, who sustained serious injuries, continue on in photography by welding tripod center columns and heads to various mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, and walking sticks and canes. I once trined a man with one arm (an amputee) in wedding photography. I never, however, had to deal with a person with tremors. Digital cameras are electronically triggered, have auto-focus and stabilization. Perhaps custom-made grips would help. I envision a slightly oversized grip with padding and an electronic cable release. A tripod with a gimble head may be helpful.

If you let us know what kinda work you aspire to and what difficulty you may encounter, more definite ideas my result.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I have always asked my doctor for information about my ailments. They are professional and I have found that they are excellent resources for questions about your ailment.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I started using digital DSLRs in 2005. I had VR on my Nikon lenses. It almost worked.
Around 2015 I got a new 200-500 lens. It had the newer generation VR. It really worked. I was able to take photos hand held down to 1/10 second.

The new generation of lenses are significantly better at stabilization than they used to be. I don't have any Canons or other bodies with IS in the body but I would expect that they could also benefit from newer technology (comments from Canon people et al. welcome here).

One of the things that therapists tell people with Parkinsons is to use weighted eating implements. The added weight decreases the motion of the implements due to the tremors, making it easier to hold food on your fork and things like that. You can apply that to cameras also. A heavy body and/or lens will keep the camera steadier. That might be useful where a tripod is impractical. Since cameras have a tripod mount point that uses a 1/4-20 screw (in most cases), it would be possible to add weight to a camera. Of course that will tire you out more, but you'll get more exercise.

I suspect the tripod is the best answer. Of course you can also hold the camera against a table or a wall to help steady it.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Using a tennis ball filled with plaster of pairs increases the inertia of the camera and gives a better eagle claw grip. A design starting point is here:
https://www.instructables.com/iSteadii-20-Image-Stabilizing-Unit/

Fast shutter speed will freeze the moment of a fast-moving object... and also the fast-moving camera. Experiment. Los-Angeles-Shooter, I look forward to seeing your photos of a laser dot on the wall photographed with your shaking hand blur as a function of shutter speed.

jtm1943

Tripod and remote release. Best Wishes. John

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

A mono-pod might be easier to handle and work.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Probably for a time. I have arthritis in my hands and have had to make adaptations to my shooting technique. As others have also noted, use of a tripod with quick change adapters on the head, cable release, wireless RF triggers, smaller lighter lenses. I have thought about a newer lighter camera system, mirrorless such as a Fuji X-T4. But so far I am managing with my 4 Pentax DSLR bodies.

Note, master Photographer Edward Weston had to give up photography do to his advanced P. Disease. His last years were torture without his ability to do photography. I would imagine the medications are better since the 1950s.

Najataagihe

Camera gyro stabilizer.

Amazon has one on sale for $85.

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

Thanks for the advice and kind thoughts.