Hand Grip Strap

Hi Guys,

I am horrible holding my camera without shaking a bit. (Yes I can use tripod but such is not an option always)

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Professional-Wrist-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00166EUI0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1253020451&sr=8-1

Will or can a hand strap helps a bit with my shaking?

Hey thanks !

This kind of grip does not stop self movement, it just "bonds" your hand to the camera. While I don't think it could make it worse, I doubt it would help very much. What are some of the shutter speeds you are using when you witness your shaking in the photos?

jrcartasgmailcom said:

Hi Guys,

I am horrible holding my camera without shaking a bit. (Yes I can use tripod but such is not an option always)

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Professional-Wrist-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00166EUI0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1253020451&sr=8-1

Will or can a hand strap helps a bit with my shaking?

Hey thanks !

Click to expand...

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John Tatyosian
Check out my site: http://sites.google.com/site/JTatyosian

No, but it will help if you have a habit of dropping the camera!

Seriously, it is an alternative to a neck strap. Some people don't like hanging the camera around their neck but prefer to hold it all the time. A hand grip strap makes this easy. (Personally, I just wrap the neck strap around my wrist & hand - achieves the same result without paying extra!)

Shaking will be helped by using a tripod or a monopod. Or by a faster shutter speed. Or by improving your technique - things like bracing the camera against trees (or posts, furniture, etc) or by changing your stance to tuck one elbow into your body, etc. With a neck strap one technique is to use the strap to brace the camera - stick your elbow into the strap to form a triangle - neck, elbow, camera.

I am sure that if you google techniques for holding cameras steady you'll get advice with diagrams.

I agree that the hand grip doesn't really help with shake. It's more of a security blanket in case you like holding the camera as opposed to using a neck strap.

If you decide to get one, keep in mind that it 1) may block access to the battery compartment (you'll have to unscrew the anchor) and 2) it makes taking vertical photos difficult since the strap can restrict your camera rotation.
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Ram



Sony DSC-S85/V3
Nikon D80/50mm 1.8/18-135mm/70-300mm VR/
16-85 VR Nikkors

I don't know about the handshake, but I use something very similar with my D80 and I love it. Makes it very easy to hold the camera at your side without having to grip too much. I have it set up so both the neck strap and the handgrip are attached so I can use either or both.

Also, it doesn't really cause any problems for taking vertical pictures or opening the card or battery comparment. In the former case, it can be opened without any change. For the battery a quick loosing of the base piece allows you to swing it out of the way without removing it completely.

Dave

If your shake is caused by your grip or an over-grip ...if you understand what I said ...then the hand grip uses the back of your hand as you would use a wall. It would also permit you to lock your elbow to some measure and control your hand from your shoulder.

Further if you have support of the camera in your right hand, then you left kicks in more to steady the body.

The hand grip can change the whole dynamic of the way you hold and can permit a little more upperbody than the 100% hand.

The only downside is if you like to use a tripod then nearly all grips are a problem except that there are QR plates from kirk with an eyelet to accommodate the grip or a complete leather grip and plate combination from Jim at http://camdapter.com/ . I might also recommend that you try the plate from Jim and the strap from a cheap 3rd-party grip ...some dont like the leather grip on Jim's kit ( I do like it however) as it is wide but does create a limit to movement.
I have both the camdapter and 3rd-party cheapies.

I also use a black rapid strap in combination with the hand grip/tripod plate combination http://www.blackrapid.com/

And feel free to query me harder if you think it might help you.

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with the handgrip tripod plate combination ....you can still fit a neck strap but your camera hangs on its side ....and still yet fit a black rapid.

...but now we are just getting weird.

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I have a slight hand tremor and at slow shutter speeds have a problem. I primarily use a D90, which is rather small and light compared to the beasts of my film days. I found that the extra weight of using the MB-D80 grip with two batteries tended to reduce camera shake for me. For any lens greater than a 70mm I look for image stabilization (VR, OS, etc.). Always posture the camera for support - KEEP THAT LEFT ELBOW TUCKED AGAINST YOUR BODY. Brace the right arm, too. Try making a "V" with your arms as you support the camera.Shoot at the highest ISO that doesn't give you "unacceptable (very subjective)" noise allowing for fast shutter speeds. When applicable, use fill flash to get a higher shutter speed.

Thanks for all the replies..

Is called a string tripod, you either tie it to your foot or to a large washer that you can step on.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/145582/make_the_worlds_cheapest_tripod.html

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a friend of mine has "the shakes" like I call it. He uses a monopod. they are light and portable. it could be worse, he could be in the pin striping business. Good Luck. try the monopod it should help.