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Chapter 2 Camera Handling, Care, and Support
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
By selecting a shutter speed to match the focal
length, you improve your chances of overcoming the
effects of lens weight and exaggerated movement.
The faster shutter speed is a thinner slice of time,
capturing the image before movement is detectable.
The introduction of anti-shake or stabilizing
systems in digital cameras has made it easier
to avoid camera shake when hand-holding.
Many cameras are using stabilization to permit
handheld exposures at up to four shutter-speed
increments lower than normally possible. With
stabilization, a shot that would normally require
a 1/500 second shutter speed to avoid blur from
camera movement might be successfully made at
a speed as low as 1/30 second. See Figure 2-36.
There are two basic approaches to stabilizing
images—lens-shift and sensor-shift. Both systems
combat camera shake by detecting movement and
making a compensating movement of a lens element
or the image sensor in the opposite direction.
In effect, this cancels out the unwanted movement.
Even with the advantage of a faster shutter speed
or anti-shake technology, using proper holding
and support techniques are vital to avoid camera
movement.
Camera Support Devices and
Methods
In addition to the body as a support system,
there are many other ways to steady a camera. Some
of these provide greater convenience or comfort,
while others permit shooting at shutter speeds one or
two increments slower than with body support alone.
Monopods
The monopod, Figure 2-37, is a one-legged device
that combines improved camera support with good
mobility, especially when telephoto lenses are used.
A
B
Jack Klasey/Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 2-36. Shots made with and without stabilization.
A—This handheld exposure, made at a focal length of
460 mm with a shutter speed of 1/30 second, is very
sharp with stabilization. B—Without stabilization, a
handheld exposure made at the same settings shows
significant blurring from camera shake.
Manfrotto
Figure 2-37. This monopod has four telescoping sections.
The tilt-swivel head at lower right can be attached to the
camera mount for easy leveling of the camera. The head
has a quick-release plate and mechanism.
Camera mount
Leg lock
Tilt-swivel head
Foot
4 sections