any ideas against shakey hands?

[breadandbutterfly]

A while ago I noticed, that a lot of the pictures I take are not absolutely sharp. First I thought it it was the cameras fault, but after extensive testing I came to realize that it's just my hands shaking too much. This means that I have to use a tripod far more often than I'd like to (and than would be normal I guess). So here's my question: Does anyone of you have ideas on how to become more... I don't know... steady? Anything I could try to keep my hands still?

[pierovera]

Well obviously having a fast shutter speed in the camera is best, but for your hands I'd recommend always to use the viewfinder and also tuck your arms in and keep them as close as possible to your body and close to each other. Also, try not to hold the camera too tight, have your hands and arms relaxed, this will probably reduce shake. It has worked for me at least.
Hope I helped

[oldCarlos]

I know where you're coming from b&b, I also have quite shaky/unsteady hands. (might be an age thing )

+1 to Piero's advice. Try to perfect your stance + breathing & up the shutter speed a tad if needed. Another really good option though is a monopod, it can make quite a difference.

[breadandbutterfly]

Thank you very much, that was exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. I will try to work on this, and if I don't succeed, I will definitely consider the monopod option.

[pierovera]

You're welcome

[4xxxx]

I agree with the above, it depends on how much shake one has. The only other ways to increase camera speed is to open up the lens wide which is most likely to blow the shot out, the other is to increase the ISO. From Gordon's review on the D300s is an extract below regarding noise. I think increasing the ISO is your best option handheld as well as the above.

The review was comparing the D300s to a Canon. I would suggest having a look at the full review.

Both cameras deliver clean and detailed results at 100 and 200 ISO, the latter being the base setting for the D300s. At 400 ISO, both models begin to exhibit subtle noise textures, most noticeably in flat, shadow areas, but it’s nothing to be concerned about yet.

With the sensitivity increased to 800 ISO, the D300s sample has become a little softer, but while noise levels have also increased fractionally, it’s still pretty clean. Noise textures have become more apparent on the Canon sample, although to be fair they are more obvious here than with the default settings due to the higher sharpening we’ve applied.


Cheers

[RexGig]

Welcome to the forum!

Weight can help dampen shaking a bit. A battery grip adds weight, plus, if your hands are large, more gripping surface, both of which can mitigate shaking. If you happen to be left-eye dominant, a gripped camera can be placed on the left shoulder, with one's left elbow raised so the right upper arm is horizontal, adding more stability. Joe McNally explains and illustrates this in one of his books, and perhaps has posted a tutorial on-line.

I consider myself to have somewhat shaky hands, and I am left-eye dominant; it is much more natural for me to use my left eye to look through the viewfinder.

[cujo]

He did post it on YouTube. Here is a link to his video on how to grip your camera by Joe McNally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDsx3-FWfwk

[darelmiler]

Most of the people face problem regarding shaky hands in photography that results in worst quality photographs. One should use fast shutter speed in the camera for getting best quality photo. You should squeeze the shutter button gently with your free finger.

[Rorschach]

Most of the people face problem regarding shaky hands in photography that results in worst quality photographs. One should use fast shutter speed in the camera for getting best quality photo. You should squeeze the shutter button gently with your free finger.

Fast shutter speeds don't guarantee best quality. They just reduce or eliminate motion blur. Depending on the effect you're trying to create, using a fast shutter speed can in fact be detrimental to it.

[PalaDolphin]

A monopod works well for me. However, I made my own monopod-like-strap. It's made from a tripod head screw with a keychain attached to a nylon strap. You attach it to the bottom of the camera in the tripod thread, drop the strap to the ground, step on it, and pull up on the camera. It's very portable.