Holding the Camera

Camera shake is one of the most common causes of un- sharp pictures, especially at slow shutter speeds. Learn to hold the camera correctly and practice steady shutter squeezing. The photos show the best ways to hold the camera for sharp pictures.

Wrap the fingers of the right hand around the camera body so that the index finger rests comfortably on the shutter-release button and the thumb fits between the camera body and the film-advance lever. Position the camera so that the eye looks through the center of the viewfinder. Cradle the camera in the left hand for addi- tional support, with the left thumb and index finger grasping the focusing ring. From this basic stance, the camera can be properly supported and easily switched from horizontal to vertical format shooting. As a general rule, the slowest shutter speed you should use with the camera hand-held is equal to the reciprocal of the focal length of the lens in use (e.g., for a 500mm lens, use

1 /500 sec; for a 105mm lens, use 1 /125 sec). However, as the ability to hold the camera steady may vary with each individual, we recommend that you experiment. In general, the higher the selected shutter speed, the sharp- er the picture.