Techniques for using long focal lenths...

minky_monkey

minky_monkey

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Something I just picked up from another thread. What`s the best technique for using a 100-400 at the longest focal lenth, obviously there`s a lot of practice involved, but what works for you handheld-wise?.


I`ll see if I get the tripod collar by then and a monopod, but if not I`m reduced to handheld shots, hence the question!
 
Try to get the shutter speed to at least equal the focal lenth ie if at 400mm then try to maintan 1/400.
 
I`ve got that sussed, in terms of physically holding it stable to reduce movement was what I wondered about.
 
minky_monkey said:
I`ve got that sussed, in terms of physically holding it stable to reduce movement was what I wondered about.
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Sorry didnt realise, with regards holding, just tend to hold mine as any other lens, the IS will help. Havent found I need to adapt how I hold.
 
From my limited experience of handholding large telephotos (my 120-300 weighs a tonne and has no IS so it's always mounted on a tripod), what I do is try to keep my elbows firmly on my body, use my left hand as a rest for the lens, with my left elbow sitting on my belly, if you see the picture, just trying to make myself a human tripod. It helps if you lean on a wall or somewhere steady. Sometimes I just get the lens off the tripod, if I want to be more stealthy, and I just lay on the ground, using both my hands and arms as a support.
A beanbag is godsent though! get one if you don't have one!
 
If you are stood up... put your left hand on your right shoulder, and nestle the lens into the nook of your left elbow...
You look a **** but it helps :):):)
 
I find that bracing your arms in the way you feel most comfortable is a start then only squeeze (not press) the shutter button during, or at the end of, a relaxed exhale of breath. It works for pistol shooting and works for me with a camera.

Hope this helps :shrug:

Neil
 
rickj said:
for now can you not fit the camera to the tripod instead of the lens ? or am i missing something :shrug:
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:nono: You can`t really, It puts to much strain on the camera body.
 
That`s what I figured, it`s a weighty bit of kit. At least handheld, you`re taking the strain off of the mount.
 
normally it's elbows tucked in, one supporting the lens and then as you fire remember to breath out and shoot between your exhale and inhale.
if you haven't got a tripod you can always do this whilst kneeling down
think of it like rifle shooting :)

I normally don't shoot over 300mm with IS though...so...I certainly thing some sort of support would be handy.
 
The first thing is to support the camera with your left hand under the lens. With shorter lenses, the heel of your hand will be under the body too. You should be able to remove your right hand completely with the camera still being supported by your left hand.

When you lift the camera to your face don't drop your head to meet the camera. If you keep your head upright, your elbows will naturally reach the higher part of your chest where you can tuck them in for good support. Dropping your head will mean your elbows don't reach high enough, and it usually results in looking through the viewfinder at an angle where you can't see the viewfinder fully or all the exposure info.

Your right hand should have the lightest grip on the camera and be playing no part in it's support - it's there purely to press that shutter as smoothly as possible so the hand and fingers should be relaxed and unstressed by supporting any weight.

Your elbows should now be tucked firmly into your chest and the camera should be pulled firmly into your face.

Don't hold your breath when you press the shutter, breathing out slowly as a sniper would avoids any shakes.

With an IS lens like the 100-400L, half press the shutter to get focus and pause till you feel and hear the IS kick in, and you'll see the viewfinder image become noticeably more stable - now press the shutter smoothly without any sudden stabs.

If you rotate the camera to portrait orientation, rotate to the left, which maintains your left hand support and your unstressed right hand. Rotating right throws all the weight onto your right hand which now has to perform double duty in supporting the camera and pressing the shutter smoothly.

Everyone gets a bit lax about this from time to time and it's always a good idea to rethink your hand holding technique if you find your shots aren't as sharp as they used to be.
 
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Number 2. right arm close to the shoulder as possible, left elbow on left knee, hand towards the far end of the lens, even breathing, shoot between heart beats.

Its amazing what you lean in boy scouts.
 
Chris Reed said:
Its amazing what you lean in boy scouts.
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LOL.


Thanks CT, I was at Richmond Park today before I read your tips, I can certainly appreciate them after this morning. It`s definitely an art. All I know is my wrist aches. (Leave it.......)

Nice write up, I may print that off for next weekend! Cheers.
 
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