jak86094

Short version: PRESS THE VIEWFINDER REALLY SNUGGLY AGAINST THE EYE/FOREHEAD.

Long version: I was becoming discouraged with the sharpness of my photos. Camera: Nikon D500; lens: Nikkor 200-500 mm. I had worked hard on my stance, breathing, and handholding skills but my shots still seemed slightly out of focus. Since everything was slightly out of focus, I was pretty sure it was camera shake.

Last week, I came across a short YouTube video by Moose Peterson about how to hold the camera to get sharp photos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a6XaQ16aaE

and got a great tip that has greatly increased the sharpness of almost all of my photos. In addition to left hand under the balance point of the lens, elbows in tight to the body, and roll (not punch) the finger over the shutter button, he emphasized one factor: PRESS THE VIEWFINDER REALLY SNUGGLY AGAINST THE EYE/FOREHEAD. This anchors the camera to the forehead. Together with the elbows, this adds a third anchor point, essentially creating a tripod. Then snap as you gently exhale...what a difference.

I've implemented this suggestion...holding really firmly against my eye ridge as I focus and shoot. Several UHH members have commented on the sharpness of my most recent shots shared here on the UHH site. If you're not happy with the sharpness of your shots, take a look at the video referenced above and then try Moose's recommendations...especially the one about holding firmly against the eye. Good luck. Hope someone finds this useful.

Eric2018 Loc: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Or use a tripod.

fantom Loc: Colorado

Not always practical nor possible.

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

When available/feasible/allowed.

Chaostrain Loc: Hillsboro, Oregon

Looks like good advice. Thank you for sharing.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

Great advice, thanks for sharing!

CO

Good advice! I watched the video.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

This suggestion is good. I have also had success with shooting 3 or 5 images on Ch. Generally the middle shot is the best.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Sounds like this technique would work well, if I didn't wear glasses. I think I'd smash my glasses against my face in the process. So, good tip for some, maybe not so good for others. Maybe add a forehead brace?? 👍🤓👍

Alsweet Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

i have found that a simple trigger grip allows me to hold my long lens much more comfortably an stable than supporting the lens from underneath

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Interesting

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Camera shake? Have your considered using a shutter speed appropriate and germane for the focal length jak86094...
Not a fan of hand holding the 200-500mm with ambient illumination... simply a questionable choice of technique in my experience with this lens... I have shot league soccer with that optic and robust monopod... works well in this scenario...
Although it is painfully slow to lock focus... so I've returned to my 200-400mm f/4 which locks instantly...

btw, the 200-500mm has good to excellent acuity between 200-400mm not so much beyond that...
Currently use this lens a lot in the studio where flash duration is way above 1/5000... no worries here...
albeit on an FX body there is considerable vignette (which is clipped out on an DX body)

Hope this helps...
I wish you well on your journey jak86094

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Obviously, good photographic technic will reward us with excellent images.
I have always sustained that if we do our part the lens will do its part.

rustfarmer

Once again I suggest that if cameras were made upside down, with the body curved just a bit to fit against your forehead and the viewfinder built to be on the bottom edge, camera shake would not be a problem.

anotherview Loc: California

Yes, this part of hand-holding technique can improve the sharpness of images. Another one: Increase the shutter speed, even if you have to raise the ISO.

Recent cameras (some of them anyhow) have achieved image noise reduction to the point where noise scarcely if at all affects the image quality with ISO settings up to 3200 and even 6400, so I've read. This capability has become known as "ISO invariance," as best I can tell from brief review.

I did not watch the video clip. But let me note a second technique for controlling camera movement when hand-holding: Lean or press against a solid object like a pole, a building, a table top, or something else that acts like an anchor. This method damps movement.

Others here more experienced may offer good suggestions, too.