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bruckshaw1

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Since buying my FZ200 (which I like very much) I have developed a left hand tremor (Parkinson's) which makes holding the FZ steady a little difficult except for very short exposures A monopod is also difficult to use. I am thinking of changing to a lighter fixed lens camera with as much zoom as possible and EVF (to minimise shake by supporting against my head). I enjoy bird and natuire photography.What are the recommendations please?. I have similar problems with binoculars.

Eric
 
bruckshaw1 said:
Since buying my FZ200 (which I like very much) I have developed a left hand tremor (Parkinson's) which makes holding the FZ steady a little difficult except for very short exposures A monopod is also difficult to use. I am thinking of changing to a lighter fixed lens camera with as much zoom as possible and EVF (to minimise shake by supporting against my head). I enjoy bird and natuire photography.What are the recommendations please?. I have similar problems with binoculars.

Eric
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that Eric, have you considered using the timer delay function, coupled with
a burst mode it may help with a tripod mounted set-up.
 
Hi, Sorry to hear about your condition. I really feel you already have the most suitable and capable camera. The only smaller camera with fixed zoom lens I could recommend with an evf would be the Olympus Stylus 1...but the zoom is "only" 28-300mm.
However I have seen a couple of people with small P/S on a shoulder support with a support on the chest and a bracket that holds the camera up near the eye. That maybe a better option than changing your present camera. Something like this may be adaptable for your individual needs. You can trip the shutter with a remote shutter release. Alexander

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www.ebay.ca
 
Eric,

Sorry to hear that. Have you considered a tripod and a wired (or even wireless) remote?
 
Sorry to hear this Eric but if binos are a problem you basically need a fast shutter speed and fast lens which allows for a faster.shutter speed. The FZ200 is still a good choice. You might want to try shutting off the image stabilization and keep the shutter speed high to freeze motion. Like when panning your shake may be causing the IS to blur the image. It could be making your shake look worse than it really is. Anything else best to use a tripod and the shutter timer or remote shutter release. And that works better without IS turned on too.

Ron
 
Thank you to all those who replied. As a result I now feel that I must

Thank you to all those who replied. As a result I now feel that I will persevere with the FZ200. Some of the suggestions seem to take the spontanaiety out of the hobby but I already have a wireless remote for the camera and a light tripod so I will start to use those more in appropriate situations. For bird photography I now try to persuade my subject to come to me rather than me to them and that allows more use of the tripod/remote. Here is one I took recently doing just that with a fill-in fash because of the light background.





As to the tremor I am told that my particular version of Parkinon's progresses only very slowly but thanks for your klind remarks.

Eric
 

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Hi Eric. I have not been diagnosed, but at 80yrs I'm not too steady. I found that using my left arm to support my FZ200 works remarkably well. I didn't invent the idea. I got it here in this forum. Set up your camera, put your left hand on your right shoulder, camera in the right hand, with a wrist strap on for safety, rest the camera on the platform formed by left arm in the vicinity of your elbow, take the shot!! I am amazed at the stability it gives me. Between this technique, OIS and sometimes burst mode ( I use 5fps AF, which get me 10.5 mp. Picks. in 3.2 format)) Give it a try Eric!

Warm regards,
 
Jim,

Many thanks for that tip from a youngster (I am 85 so get some hours in!!).

I have just tried it but because the shake is generated in the left arm resting the camera on the left arm is not effective. I adopt a one handed approach which is why I was wondering if a lighter camera would be the answer.

Anyway I am most appreciative of your suggestion. Thanks again.

Eric
 
Eric,

I was very sorry to read about your problem.

While trying to think of a simple way of steadying your hand it occurred to me that it might help if you could attach your camera to something like a short monopod fastened to a suitable neck strap with which you could brace it against your chest.

A quick search on Amazon UK led to this chest pod which might be worth a try. If it doesn't help you could easily return it.

Jimmy

--
J C Brown
Though it may not have been discovered yet there is a logical explanation for everything.
 
Last edited:
Jimmy,

What a great, simple idea! I just tried it out in priniciple with my monopod fully collapsed and supported on my lap and it works!!

I have placed an order and it should arrive in time for my next outing starting Friday.

Thanks again Jimmy and all who have made suggestions.

Eric
 
bruckshaw1 said:
Jimmy,

What a great, simple idea! I just tried it out in priniciple with my monopod fully collapsed and supported on my lap and it works!!

I have placed an order and it should arrive in time for my next outing starting Friday.

Thanks again Jimmy and all who have made suggestions.

Eric
Click to expand...
Eric.

I'm delighted to hear that you found my suggestion helpful and glad I was able to help.

Enjoy your next outing.

Jimmy
 
J C Brown said:
bruckshaw1 said:
Jimmy,

What a great, simple idea! I just tried it out in priniciple with my monopod fully collapsed and supported on my lap and it works!!

I have placed an order and it should arrive in time for my next outing starting Friday.

Thanks again Jimmy and all who have made suggestions.

Eric
Click to expand...
Eric.

I'm delighted to hear that you found my suggestion helpful and glad I was able to help.

Enjoy your next outing.

Jimmy
Click to expand...
 
Eric, I'm sorry I'm late in replying to your post, as I see that Jimmy Brown has alerted you to the neck pod. Not wishing to carry a full-sized tripod when travelling, I make do with a tabletop tripod with an adjustable ball head to steady my camera for slower shutter speeds. Obviously, if there is a suitable horizontal surface, it can stand on that. But if none is available, a firm vertical support will do - lamppost, tree, wall, etc.. I hold the tripod firmly against the surface with my left hand, and operate the camera with my right, though I realise that you may find this difficult. If the support is of a suitable shape and size, I also have a velcro strap to quickly hold it in place. If there is no suitable surface, holding it against my sternum and upper ribs is quite effective.

Alternatively, a number of clamps are available with swivel mounted tripod screws, that can be fastened to railings, half-open car windows, fences, some chair backs, etc

Cyril
 
Wow that's a nice find Jimmy!
 
sherman_levine said:
J C Brown said:
bruckshaw1 said:
Jimmy,

What a great, simple idea! I just tried it out in priniciple with my monopod fully collapsed and supported on my lap and it works!!

I have placed an order and it should arrive in time for my next outing starting Friday.

Thanks again Jimmy and all who have made suggestions.

Eric
Click to expand...
Eric.

I'm delighted to hear that you found my suggestion helpful and glad I was able to help.

Enjoy your next outing.

Jimmy
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I love it when forum members are able to genuinely help others enjoy the hobby more. See, forums are for more than just bickering! :)

Best of luck Eric!
--
-----------
Nathan
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nramsey/
 
Last edited:
manthasfamily said:
sherman_levine said:
J C Brown said:
bruckshaw1 said:
Jimmy,

What a great, simple idea! I just tried it out in priniciple with my monopod fully collapsed and supported on my lap and it works!!

I have placed an order and it should arrive in time for my next outing starting Friday.

Thanks again Jimmy and all who have made suggestions.

Eric
Click to expand...
Eric.

I'm delighted to hear that you found my suggestion helpful and glad I was able to help.

Enjoy your next outing.

Jimmy

--
J C Brown
Though it may not have been discovered yet there is a logical explanation for everything.
Click to expand...
Jimmy,

That would be an excellent device for anyplace which doesn't allow tripods. I have a monopod with a belt loop, but the neck/chest mount seems much more stable

Sherm

--
Sherm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32989985@N07/sets/
Click to expand...
Jimmy, you are a genius! I have problems keeping steady so I have a feeling this will help me also.

Best of luck to Erik with this!

--
Karen
If it pleases you then to hell what everyone else thinks!
Click to expand...
Karen,

Amazon US has it under a different name, but it seems to be the same product (ships from UK )



c8244c5caecd4bc4b712f93bcfe7f25c.jpg



--
Sherm

SHERMANLEVINE’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com www.flickr.com
 
sherman_levine said:
manthasfamily said:
sherman_levine said:
J C Brown said:
bruckshaw1 said:
Jimmy,

What a great, simple idea! I just tried it out in priniciple with my monopod fully collapsed and supported on my lap and it works!!

I have placed an order and it should arrive in time for my next outing starting Friday.

Thanks again Jimmy and all who have made suggestions.

Eric
Click to expand...
Eric.

I'm delighted to hear that you found my suggestion helpful and glad I was able to help.

Enjoy your next outing.

Jimmy

--
J C Brown
Though it may not have been discovered yet there is a logical explanation for everything.
Click to expand...
Jimmy,

That would be an excellent device for anyplace which doesn't allow tripods. I have a monopod with a belt loop, but the neck/chest mount seems much more stable

Sherm

--
Sherm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32989985@N07/sets/
Click to expand...
Jimmy, you are a genius! I have problems keeping steady so I have a feeling this will help me also.

Best of luck to Erik with this!

--
Karen
If it pleases you then to hell what everyone else thinks!
Click to expand...
Karen,

Amazon US has it under a different name, but it seems to be the same product (ships from UK )

c8244c5caecd4bc4b712f93bcfe7f25c.jpg

--
Sherm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32989985@N07/sets/
Click to expand...
Sherm, you are a peach!! I now have it in my wish list for when I get some extra cash.

--
Karen
If it pleases you then to hell what everyone else thinks!
 
manthasfamily said:
sherman_levine said:
J C Brown said:
bruckshaw1 said:
Jimmy,

What a great, simple idea! I just tried it out in priniciple with my monopod fully collapsed and supported on my lap and it works!!

I have placed an order and it should arrive in time for my next outing starting Friday.

Thanks again Jimmy and all who have made suggestions.

Eric
Click to expand...
Eric.

I'm delighted to hear that you found my suggestion helpful and glad I was able to help.

Enjoy your next outing.

Jimmy
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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