Proper way to hold an SLR.

benjiboy · Jan 14, 2010

Laurent said:
Same with an EOS3 + Booster (of course, also true for the EOS1(s) and, I guess, Nikon equivalents).

With my AE1P, I'm using the right hand below when shooting in portrait mode, but using the first finger (sorry, don't know it's name in English !) to trip the shutter. Works fine for me, and does not cause stability issues.

The "first finger" Laurent is usually called the index finger in English, because it's what is used for going down lists with.

Laurent · Jan 14, 2010

Thanks ! BTW, it's the same in French !!

John Koehrer · Jan 14, 2010

Ken N said:
One foot forward, lean into it.

Man, the recoil on that thing must be a bitch

Nikon Collector · Jan 15, 2010

Just recently looked at my manual for my Kodak Retina iiic and it shows RHOB! Never noticed that b4. Is it something to do with rangefinder vs slr?

2F/2F · Jan 15, 2010

These instructions always crack me up.

Here is what you do: Hold the camera. Click the button. Use your instincts and common sense to figure out the details.

2F/2F · Jan 15, 2010

P.S.

http://www.canon.co.uk/Images/life_view_tcm14-443289.jpg

There is another good example of how to hold an SLR.

Sirius Glass · Jan 15, 2010

2F/2F said:
P.S.

http://www.canon.co.uk/Images/life_view_tcm14-443289.jpg

There is another good example of how to hold an SLR.

You meant DSLR.

Prest_400 · Jan 15, 2010

RHOT, and be there.
That way is to awkward to me, I'm a RHOT man. It may be interesting for lower speeds, but that's all.

I can hold my OM1 at "live view" distance, but the DSLRs and most AF 35mm. No way. The LCD viewing thing is overrated. Viewfinder is much better. No glare!

I prefer the true "live view". Viewfinder itself. I feel stupid looking at an LCD, just because I feel one of those wimpy consumers: http://static-p3.fotolia.com/jpg/00/12/04/90/400_F_12049088_hPIK6Up853zBr2g3KKiFZJw4KrPNuOAS.jpg
Always smiling and staring at the LCD. Creepy!

2F/2F · Jan 15, 2010

Sirius Glass said:
You meant DSLR.

I did not. I do not use that term. An SLR is an SLR, regardless of how the light is recorded. Sadly, the D now goes without saying anywhere but here on APUG.

The post was meant to mock both Live View and instruction manuals that tell you how to hold your camera, by the way.

Alan W · Jan 15, 2010

I wonder which thumb/finger the guy uses to wind on the next frame?

elekm · Jan 15, 2010

I think left palm up with the camera resting on it offers the best stability, because you can then tuck the elbow of your left arm against your body. I've seen others grasp the lens with the left palm facing outward. Seems to work well enough for them, and in a pinch, I do this on occasion.

Focusing with your right hand and shifting it back and forth between the lens and the shutter release -- well, that's a no-no.

I'm referring to manual focus. I suppose all bets are off with autofocus with a single-focal length. With a zoom lens, it still makes sense to use your left hand.

mopar_guy · Jan 15, 2010

What's wrong with using a tripod?

RMP-NikonPro · Jan 16, 2010

Tripod! now that's pro stuff!!

Ken N · Jan 17, 2010

2F/2F said:
P.S.
http://www.canon.co.uk/Images/life_view_tcm14-443289.jpg
There is another good example of how to hold an SLR.

Unbelievable!!! That is a photoshopped image. Look how big the hand is in comparison to the camera. That camera is a whale, so that hand must belong to Andre the Giant.

wclark5179 · Jan 17, 2010

Geeze I didn't realize there is a proper way of holding an SLR or any camera. I hold mine everywhere unless it's mounted on a tripod. I need to capture many emotional highs that take place with folks I'm photographing. I treat the camera as part of me and I move it around just like I do with my arms and hands when communicating.

At any rate, I hold it up, I hold it down, I hold it with my left and I hold it with my right.

I love the photography business. It can make a difference in peoples' lives.

Nice question.

Best!

DLawson · Jan 17, 2010

mopar_guy said:
What's wrong with using a tripod?

You'll get expelled for not having a commercial permit.

David A. Goldfarb · Jan 17, 2010

The correct way to hold an SLR is with the left thumb on the shutter trigger, the right thumb on the focusing knob, arms straight, and the fingers of both hands curled underneath the bottom plate--

http://www.shorpy.com/node/945?size=_original

2F/2F · Jan 17, 2010

Is that a 5x7 RB, or was she that tiny of a woman that she makes a 4x5 look like one?

mopar_guy · Jan 18, 2010

Paul Strand and Graflex

Like I said: "What's wrong with using a tripod?"

http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=5298

I think the big one is a Graflex Home Portrait in 5x7.

Philippe-Georges · Jan 18, 2010

Sirius Glass said:
I can hold it with the right elbow down or right elbow over the top but my favorite way and the proper way to hold an SLR is shown here => Dead Link Removed

Steve

I am a little confused about holding a Hasselblad (a SLR too).
Should I hold the camera in the left had-palm and release the shutter with the left index, as shown in your link ?
Or would it be better to hold the camera in the right hand with the thumb around the film-transport wrench?
I know, the second option seems a little odd, but this way a can focus with the left hand while supporting the camera with the palm of that hand. Then I can release with the right hand index, as I was so used to do with the 35 mm SLRs.
Holding it in the right hand gives me a feeling of security because the thumb is warped around the wrench and the camera cannot slip out of the hand when one is balancing that hand. I know, this way, transporting becomes a rather cumbersome maneuver but the camera is still resting in the left hand-palm, while focussing or not, if you understand what I am trying to say
BTW, a Hasselblad is not a real action camera, but this you already knew

Philippe

wclark5179 · Jan 18, 2010

Hi David!

I'm confused, maybe just dumb. The shutter button is on the right side of my cameras. I'd be pointing the lens toward me if I wanted to trip the shutter with my left index finger! Or it would be pretty awkward!

Would I hold the camera the same way when I have say a 50mm lens on as when I have a 70-200 telephoto on?

Some of my cameras have shutter triggers on the top and on the side at the bottom. How do I hold those? I use those when I hold the camera in a vertical position.

Just my little thoughts on this fine Minnesota morning.

Have a wonderful week.

Smiles!

Take care.

mopar_guy · Jan 18, 2010

Bill,

If you click on the link in David's post it will open a photo of Dorthea Lange sitting on an old car and holding what looks like a 4x5 Graflex RB. The Graflex was a great American made SLR and the shutter release is on the lower left of the camera as you hold the camera to take a photo.

Dave

wclark5179 · Jan 18, 2010

Thanks Dave.

Sirius Glass · Jan 18, 2010

leicam5 said:
I am a little confused about holding a Hasselblad (a SLR too).
Should I hold the camera in the left had-palm and release the shutter with the left index, as shown in your link ?
Or would it be better to hold the camera in the right hand with the thumb around the film-transport wrench?
I know, the second option seems a little odd, but this way a can focus with the left hand while supporting the camera with the palm of that hand. Then I can release with the right hand index, as I was so used to do with the 35 mm SLRs.
Holding it in the right hand gives me a feeling of security because the thumb is warped around the wrench and the camera cannot slip out of the hand when one is balancing that hand. I know, this way, transporting becomes a rather cumbersome maneuver but the camera is still resting in the left hand-palm, while focussing or not, if you understand what I am trying to say

Victor Hasselblad designed the camera to be held the way it is shown in the photograph - supported with the left hand, left index finger on the shutter release and the right hand used for focusing.

leicam5 said:
BTW, a Hasselblad is not a real action camera, but this you already knew

From Porgy and Bess, "It ain't necessarily so ..." George Gershwin.

Steve

wclark5179 · Jan 19, 2010

I've got several Hasselblads I've used over the years and when holding the camera (which was rarely at a paid gig) I always used my right hand to focus, set the f stop & shutter speed, ready, action, then click the shutter, wind the film and the left hand to hold the camera. Even when I used a shutter release cable I fired it with my right little index finner. Although, when I did use my Hasselblads 95% of the time I was making pictures with it mounted on a tripod. I understand the instructions say different but I used my method and applied it to all of my cameras.

Works for me.

Proper way to hold an SLR.

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency