Unsteadiness in camera holding (Page 3): For some of the very reasons you mention I no longer use my Nikon 750, at least not often. On my walks in the woods I arm myself with my trusty...

singleshot Loc: Georgia

DaveC wrote:

This is sort of a hypothetical question since I re... (show quote)

For some of the very reasons you mention I no longer use my Nikon 750, at least not often. On my walks in the woods I arm myself with my trusty old Nikon 7000 and a 55 to 200 mm zoom. Way fewer megapixels, not full frame but it stills gives me photos that "I" like and to me that's all that counts. By-the-by, you're much older that I. I'm only 86.

rlscholl Loc: California

I know of two approaches for steadying cameras without tripods, etc, that I developed decades ago for available light photography. The first is to use a camera strap wrapped around the back of your head and then your right wrist to apply tension - this essentially makes your head and the camera a single unit.
The second (which can be used with or without the first), is to use some object as a physical support - e.g., hold your camera with both hands and rest both of your elbows on some fixed surface such as a table top, railing, automobile, etc. A modification of this approach is to lean against a fixed vertical surface (e.g., the side of a building, door jamb or a tree), with your hand holding the camera solidly against that surface.
You will find that, with practice, noticing and using available supports such as these becomes automatic.

Jorgy

I know weight is an issue for you but I ALWAYS have a beanbag with me. Find something, anything to set it on, and then your camera can be held steady. Plus, if you need to in an emergency you can always eat the beans...

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

DaveC wrote:

This is sort of a hypothetical question since I re... (show quote)

DaveC;
I too at 75 years have begun to have slightly shaky hands. I depend a lot on a very light carbon fiber monopod, its compact and I always have attached to my small bag. I agree sometimes its a hassle. When digital began I loved the fact that the cameras were small and light, of course I was younger then. I had a couple of bridge cameras and they were OK. The Canon EOS SL1 was advertised and I went for it. It was small and light, then my hands began to shake. Some one had said get a heavier camera, so I bought a Canon 70D, it seemed to help. I've found that if I lean against something: tree, wall, pole, a fence, I stop shaking. For most situations I prefer my light weight monpod.

bob h Loc: Greenville NC

DaveC wrote:

This is sort of a hypothetical question since I re... (show quote)

I'm 76 and also have essential tremor, and I was very worried when I was asked by my son to photograph his wedding. I recently bought a SONY Alpha 7R4, and have thoroughly enjoyed the ability to shoot at high ISO numbers (6400 or even higher) to maximize your shutter speed without sacrificing much resolution or color. To make a long story short, I've found that for video, I can set it on a tripod, turn it on and pretty much ignore it other than watch the framing. For stills, you can use a remote trigger, and put the camera on a (short?) monopod that rests against your belt to minimize hand shaking. Use auto focus when you can.
A high speed flash can also be a great addition to your equipment, (Altura makes some nice remote flash and remote trigger units),

AndyT Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire

CO wrote:

I know that you said a piece of string is out. A stringpod does actually help to steady shots. I went on a trip and was not able to bring a tripod. I made a couple of stringpods and it helps to steady the camera. You just get a 1/4"-20 eyelet bolt and tie a piece of rope to it. You step on the end of the rope and pull up a little. The tension in the rope will steady the camera to a degree. It's not as good as using a tripod, but it helps.

The string tripod also works great in museums.

hrblaine

I'm 90 and when my camera becomes too heavy for me to hold steady, I'll quit. It's about having a life!

Harry PS I can think of a couple of things that are better than photography: drinking and sex. At 90, sex is a little hard to come by but I can still appreciate a good single malt. My favorite after all these years is still Talisker matured in Amoroso wood. It's nice to do a shot every once in a while!

Murray Loc: New Westminster

Bubbee wrote:

Why not do what the sports and bird and animal photographers do. Use very high shutter speeds ....along with high iso's? In other words, you are the moving object, not the subject. And the VR in both camera and lens is great. Hold your camera tight to your chest and avoid long lenses.
Keep shooting!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

DaveC wrote:

This is sort of a hypothetical question since I re... (show quote)

A Nikon Z6 II with VR lenses will help with your tremors, but it will not help you with the weight. Others have suggested many things. I would rent a Nikon Z6 II for a week and shoot with your VR lenses. This will give you an idea if it will meet your needs for your tremors.

If it does not, it is time to down size. Both Olympus and Panasonic have dual IS for some of their body / lens combinations. Olympus has the industry best IS for all formats. My E-M1 mkIII with my 12-100 f4 Pro IS lens gives me 7 stops of IS. This combination weighs 2.51 pounds and provides a 24 to 200 in 35mm angle of view. This year I will carry two cameras systems for my wife and my trip to Scotland. Both systems will fit in my 7.87 X 11.42 X 20.28 backpack and weigh less than 18 pounds. The angle of view will range from 14 to 1200 in 35mm terms. And this is without a 100-400 lens (up to 1600 angle of view with 2X tele). You may need to consider this direction for your photography if the Nikon Z6 II does not meet your needs.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

DaveC wrote:

Thanks but no. I made one of those years ago and carried it with me. I tried it off and on. Yes, it helped steadiness. So does any of my tripods. But not practical for me. If I’m pushing thru woods and underbrush and see a bird in a tree I have to be quick. I might not even find a place to put it down in the sticks, bark, mud, etc. It just didn’t work for me from a practical point.

Woods?
Quick?
Lean against a tree quickly.
Otherwise you have ruled all else out.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

DaveC wrote:

Thanks but no. I made one of those years ago and carried it with me. I tried it off and on. Yes, it helped steadiness. So does any of my tripods. But not practical for me. If I’m pushing thru woods and underbrush and see a bird in a tree I have to be quick. I might not even find a place to put it down in the sticks, bark, mud, etc. It just didn’t work for me from a practical point.

I began my photo serious interest at twelve with a 35mm and a tripod. Now at eighty---I have a variety of tripods which are very good. I don't claim to be shakey--but not as steady as I once was. Since my backpacks for cameras are already heavy--I don't wish to carry along my best and heaviest Tiltsall--duraluminum. The wood foldups from Graflex weigh practically nothing and fold in four pieces. But for quick work I bought an inexpensive aluminum tripod only about 13 inches folded I have on shoulder strap--It has a full head. It is probably only about a pound. But recently I bought a $20. monopod from B&H on sale. That is even lighter and extends to more than 5ft. I have that clipped to my backpack. BUT I USE FAST CLAMPS ON ALL MY CAMERAS AND THE RECEIVING CLAMPS ON ALLY MY TRIPODS---so I don't have to screw them on. Very quick. The price mounts when you are using eight or more cameras and three tripods. But it helps. But then at this age--one looks more for walls to lean against or more sitting on the ground, etc.----ew

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

Architect1776 wrote:

Woods?
Quick?
Lean against a tree quickly.
Otherwise you have ruled all else out.

set your camera to the fastest burst speed and fire away; save the best and delete the rest!

Ioannis

DaveC wrote:

This is sort of a hypothetical question since I re... (show quote)

Several years ago I had to use one of the first commercially available digital cameras, a combination of a Kodak pack with a Nikon camera on the top of it about 5 lbs or more, and the young ladies that worked for me had a hard time using it. I show them a simple way to use it. “Hold the camera with your right hand and place your elbow on your chest, the left hand is using to charge the settings of the camera as well as holding the lens, when you are ready to press the shutter exhale, by letting the air out there is less softer area on your chest to support your elbow “ I’m almost close to your age with arthritis effecting my hands, I have been using my old theory on a M50 Canon camera and after some practice I have been comfortable keeping my camera steady. Don’t give up it’s fun to keep trying.

Nickaroo

DaveC wrote:

This is sort of a hypothetical question since I re... (show quote)

When you get to your destination and are ready to do some Photography, do what I do, Sit in your car and have a little flask with your favorite drink such as Canadian Club or Crown Royal and take a couple of good swigs. Let it set in and it will relax you. I suffer from Nerve Damage and I also suffer from a non-curable lung disease, so I just do the routine and one or two times my friend gave me some of his Medical Marijuana Gummies, I ate one and by the time I was in the end-zone to shoot the game I was so calm and relaxed that I really felt great. I love Photography and will use every advantage that is available. I know that my Doctors would have a fit since I also have to take Pain-Meds for Bone Pain from Cancer, I'am in remission though. I even felt so good before the freezer was opened here in Michigan that I even held my Sony A1 with my 600mm f/4 lens very steady and did the same thing with my Nikon D850. I just turned 64 though and for you to be out there at your age, which I will never see, is quite the accomplishment Sir, I tip my hat to you. I say "Never Give Up or In".

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

Nickaroo wrote:

When you get to your destination and are ready to ... (show quote)

Four cheers to you and for sharing such personal information.++++