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How to hold the camera

Edwin `eddy2099' (dpreview, Panasonic forum, 29 Feb 2004)...

Coming from an SLR environment, I have been told time and time again to hold the camera on my left hand where the camera resting on the palm of my left hand and using my thumb and first finger to wrap around the lens. Since the right hand does most of the work, it is left free until needed to make adjustments and to hit the shutter button.

This works great for me carrying the FZ10 which is a lot lighter than what I was used {to}.
Vernon L Rogers `Fotabug' (link to Fotabug's album) (Yahoo! FZ10 forum, 9 March 2004)...

{in response to a question 'any tips to help me steady my shots?'} One thing I try to do to be as steady as possible is brace myself against something, a tree, a fence, rock, on a car roof (my own), whatever I can use. This is true when you get real close with the macro setting, brace yourself, not squatting but getting both knees down on the ground. I did that this morning while shooting, even if I did get my pants wet from the grass.

...Another tip often given is to gently press the shutter, don't push down hard or stab at it. That will move the camera. Some suggest that you place your thumb under the camera below the shutter and press up with your thumb as you press down with your trigger finger. The upward pressure is supposed counteract the downward pressure on the shutter.

{and the} most important -- use a tripod whenever you can. If using a tripod the image stabilization should be turned off.
Other than kneeling on the ground, sitting down is helpful (if possible). By contrast, squatting is very unstable.

billy (Yahoo! FZ10 forum, 9 March 2004)...

Brace left arm against chest, palm up under camera (not around the lens), breathe easy, consciously relax muscles, take a semi deep breath and exhale. Snap the shutter at the end of the exhale when there is no movement.

If you can lean against something comfortably, do it but foot position is important, check that you are steady and not wavering or off balance

I have the FZ-10 set to Optical Image Stabilizing Mode 2 {IS2} at all times.

{Picture below `Castle Crags'. Taken by Bill with FZ10 at full zoom.}

Castle Crags. Taken with FZ10 at full zoom

Wayne Lipe...

The positioning of the EVF {electronic view finder} prevents you from steadying the camera with your forehead as with most larger cameras. The addition of an eyecup helps quite a bit in that regard since you can push it firmly against your eye. I use an Orion telescope eyecup because I already had a spare from my Minolta, but it requires a lot of modification and looks a bit odd. It does a great job though.
Linda Stock (Yahoo!, FZ10 forum, 9 March 2004)...

maybe use the {self}-timer so there is no camera shake.

{see page 43 of the DMC FZ10 manual. Due to hand movement, the camera shakes a little when the shutter release button is pushed. Using the self-timer delays the shutter opening until two or more seconds after the shutter release button is pushed, so reducing the vibration at the time the shutter is open. However, I personally find it easier to concentrate on holding the camera steady at the time the shutter release is pushed, rather than two seconds later.}



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David Fong 2014-10-15