Anyone have the jump problem? (Page 3): I put those little clear rubber/plastic furniture "dots" on my camera shutter buttons, the raised rounded surface makes it easier to keep track...

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

boomboom wrote:

Sorry for the title, pretty lame. I was wondering if anyone has the problem I do when pressing the shutter button? I have a tremor in button finger and tend to lunge into a shot rather than squeezing off a shot. I was interested if anyone has a mental approach to pushing/squeezing the shutter button? Once in a while, I manage to get it under control, but it takes a lot of concentration. Wondering if anyone has a thought process just before pushing the button. Thanks

I put those little clear rubber/plastic furniture "dots" on my camera shutter buttons, the raised rounded surface makes it easier to keep track of (I get numbness in my fingers during longer sessions) button location, and seem to (for me) make the press for a shot much more controlled (and since clear, you hardly notice them). I found the little dots on Amazon and got some small enough to fit the buttons on a number of cameras for a couple of $$. I also use triggers (RC and Infrared) when practical, or timed release. In your shooting process, try to relax and think as little about your issue as possible, the concentration on the issue can make it more difficult (it did for my father-in-law, he dealt with advancing Parkinson's for 3 decades). As another said, if you have not seen a doc about it, you might want to consider, at least that way you know what you are dealing with and can seek mitigation. Good luck. m

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I have a tendency to do the same thing when shooting the action of birds and lung at the shutter button. The first image potentially may suffer from the action, however once you have depressed the shutter button, the problem should have passed. With that in mind, consider setting your camera to continuous shooting, holding down the shutter button for multiple images. Images subsequent to the first should not show the camera shake associated with an unstable fingure. This remedy assumes you are not shooting film. Just a suggestion without going to the doctor.

boomboom Loc: Stow, Ohio

Thanks, I will definitely give that a try.

boomboom Loc: Stow, Ohio

I think you have a good idea, because it is usually the first shot that this happens the most. after that, I'm aware and tend to keep from doing the lunge. Thanks for the suggestions.

boomboom Loc: Stow, Ohio

Unique idea, never thought of doing something like that. Thanks much.

bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

boomboom wrote:

Wondering if anyone has a thought process just before pushing the button. Thanks

I keep my camera set on High Speed Continuous and then try to only fire off one shot. This really forces a light touch on the shutter button.

Plus I, and many others, have found that taking a short burst of two or three shots will result in one shot being noticeably sharper than the others.

Marshall

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

boomboom wrote:

Sorry for the title, pretty lame. I was wondering if anyone has the problem I do when pressing the shutter button? I have a tremor in button finger and tend to lunge into a shot rather than squeezing off a shot. I was interested if anyone has a mental approach to pushing/squeezing the shutter button? Once in a while, I manage to get it under control, but it takes a lot of concentration. Wondering if anyone has a thought process just before pushing the button. Thanks

I use a training technique that works for me. I am a competitive pistol shooter and one of our dry fire drills is to point the pistol at a target, aim, squeeze the trigger while maintaining the aim on the target. So, your sights should be in the exact same place before and after squeezing the trigger. It is very important to keep your eye(s) open throughout the process. No blinking or flinching. I do the same thing with a camera. Set the camera for single point focus, put the dot on your subject, roll your finger over the shutter button while maintaining the dot on the target. Keep your eyes open.

Another technique to consider is taking multiple shots, i.e., hold the shutter button down to take several shots. Chances are, one in the middle will be sharp even if there was a flinch on the first shot.

photoman43

bluezzzzz wrote:

I keep my camera set on High Speed Continuous and then try to only fire off one shot. This really forces a light touch on the shutter button.

Plus I, and many others, have found that taking a short burst of two or three shots will result in one shot being noticeably sharper than the others.

Marshall

What Marshall says is so true! Almost all my shots are done in AF-C with a short burst of three images even for landscapes on a tripod. The middle image often has better color and sharpness. This was for my DSLRs. For mirrorless, I still use AF-C.

delder Loc: Maryland

Some sort of shutter button camera shake is often noted with handheld available light photography. See this repeated UHH posts on this!
MANY old Film Cameras had some variation of a threaded hole in the shutter button to facilitate use of a MECHANICAL remote shutter release cable.
Actually, it was hard to even BUY a camera 📷 kit without one!
I know 3rd party Wired remotes are available for my D3100 and I use it on slow speed shots occasionally.

rngdmn

It seems to me it’s very similar to the problem handgun shooters experience when squeezing the trigger. I have been trying to improve my camera shutter release by using single point focus and high continuous shooting. You can examine how much the focus point deviates from the intended spot in your shots and try again concentrating on your release. I find that I can do a lot better when I consciously try for steady release.

goldenyears Loc: Lake Osewgo

With a remote shutter button, bluetooth or cable, I'm able to take the photograph using my thumb, which doesn't seem to have the "stuttering" problem that my fingers often have.

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

Early on in my digital photography journey, I noticed that quite a few of my photos tilted down to the right--the result of a heavy trigger finger. I have gotten better. Lots of good advice in this thread.

therwol Loc: USA

rngdmn wrote:

It seems to me it’s very similar to the problem handgun shooters experience when squeezing the trigger. I have been trying to improve my camera shutter release by using single point focus and high continuous shooting. You can examine how much the focus point deviates from the intended spot in your shots and try again concentrating on your release. I find that I can do a lot better when I consciously try for steady release.

The OP's condition is known as "Benign Essential Tremor." It is benign in the sense that it won't kill you, but it can be devastating for someone who needs very fine muscle coordination in their job or in a hobby. People who suffer from this can't hold objects still. They wobble. Imagine if you suffer from this and your job or hobby is painting with a fine tipped brush. You can't think your way out of it. You can't always relax your way out of it. Speaking of competitive shooting or archery or other sports that require a steady hand, the medication used to control the condition, beta blockers, is banned in the Olympics in these sports because it also steadies the hands in people who don't suffer from this condition. Suggestions of using a remote release might involve having to use a tripod, not always practical. I think that the OP should try shooting bursts for each shot as some have suggested. Using lenses with IS or a camera with IBIS might help a great deal. This would require some experimentation and validation.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Thomas902 wrote:

"...seek the advice of a neurologist..." Wisdom

The radial nerve (responsible for fingers) originates from several nerve roots that run from:

C5 to C8 cervical vertebrae
and the T1 thoracic vertebra

MRI scans typically are a diagnostic tool of choice...
Albeit a simple neurological exam can be done with minimum equipment.

Please seek guidance from a qualified medical professional... which you will unlikely find on UHH.

Sound advice.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

boomboom wrote:

Sorry for the title, pretty lame. I was wondering if anyone has the problem I do when pressing the shutter button? I have a tremor in button finger and tend to lunge into a shot rather than squeezing off a shot. I was interested if anyone has a mental approach to pushing/squeezing the shutter button? Once in a while, I manage to get it under control, but it takes a lot of concentration. Wondering if anyone has a thought process just before pushing the button. Thanks

One at least partial solution to this dilemma is to use a camera system with really good stabilization. Check out the OMDS Olympus OM-1 or the Panasonic Lumix GH6.

Image stabilization can make a HUGE difference in camera/lens stability.