wobbly1

Hello ALL!
I have been reading the posts here for over a year and you all seem to be very savvy. I love taking photos and learned a lot using a Pentax K1000. Fast forward to about 10 years ago, when I was rear-ended and my head trauma led to a total loss of balance. I have done lots of rehab, and have been using a Canon PowerShot S3IS, which seems to work for me because of the image stabilization. I think DSLRs may be out of the question because I just can't stabilize myself enough for a clear picture. Does anyone know of any better options? I take a lot of flower, landscape, and travel photos. I don't think I can manage a heavy camera with lots of lens, because I have to use walking sticks when I'm out on the trail. Thanks in advance!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

The new Olympus (just released) is said to have the best IS available as to date. 7 1/2 stops, people saying they can shoot 2 sec. shots handheld with sharp results. This is very new, so more detailed reviews are certainly to follow!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Best options are found in Micro 4/3. Panasonic G9 with Dual IS 2 compatible lenses adds In Body Image Stabilization to In-Lens Image Stabilization (IBIS + ILIS = Dual IS 2 with 6.5 stops of shake reduction). And the just announced Olympus E-M1X is supposedly even better (7.5 stops of shake reduction).

Micro 4/3 *systems* are 60 to 80 percent lighter (body plus three lenses) than their full frame counterparts. (i.e.; the BODIES aren't much lighter, but the weight savings come from smaller, shorter, lighter lenses that yield similar results.)

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Even with walking sticks would you consider a travel tripod with a carry sling?

HardwareGuy

wobbly1

Actually have a "pod" attachment on one of my sticks... looking for an easier way to take photos "as i go". I CAN say that my "condition" offers some unique (off-center?) perspectives.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Hey Wobbly, try this little tip.... I use it all the time on my walking stick/pod. Take 2 12"or longer velcro strips with buckle and keep them wrapped around your stick; use these to secure your stick to poles, fence rails etc.. Your stick becomes a Stable support then ! Works like a Charm... Use in horizontal or vertical position. Good luck and give it a try. Bob

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

You can still use a high enough shutter speed to stop camera motion, like we did before stabilization. If there is any subject motion, you will have to do that anyway.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Yes! Both Panasonic and Olympus have terrifically stabilized cameras. For the Olympus, all their cameras are stabilized to at least 5 stops in body with their newest, the E-M1X, stabilized to 7.5 stops with their IS lenses. The E-M10 mrII and mrIII are not weatherproof but are cheaper. The E-M5 mrII, E-M1 mrII, and new E-M1X are all weatherproof and totally weatherproof with their weatherproof lenses or Panasonic weatherproof lenses. The E-M10 mrII is $550 with a 14-42 lens (28-84 in 35mm terms) and goes all the way up to the new E-M1X at $3K for the body only. They are smaller, lighter, and less costly than either comparable FF or APS-C cameras in general. I traveled Germany for 11 days with the E-M1 mrII, two lenses, 2 flashes, filters, extra battery, other accessories, and camera bag and the total weight was about 7 pounds and was 11" X 12" X 6". I also could have had less weight and size if I had left the one lens home and would have missed out on only three (3) shots total. It is worth looking at Olympus and Panasonic since their lenses are totally interchangeable for all basic functions.

CO

You could make to stringpod to help with stabilization. You take a 1/4"-20 eyelet bolt and tie a rope to the eyelet. Screw that into the tripod socket on the bottom of the camera. Stand on the end of the rope and pull up a little to create tension in the rope. One fellow here clips it on a belt loop on his bluejeans. I made one where you stand on the end of the rope. It actually works.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Sorry to hear about your disability. Is a light weight tripod off the table? Better than nothing if able.

wildweasel

The Olympus micro 4/3's have great in body stabilization. I have a EM 1 Mark ll and can very slow hand held shots with no issues.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The foot will be steady, but probably not the upper end of the string - held by the OP. I'd look at that 7.5-stop Olympus. Finding stable mounting points when out shoot isn't always possible. I try to find something solid to lean against if I'm taking a long exposure.

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

Best image stabilization is still called a TRIPOD.

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

Sony is another option