Handheld Telephoto Tips – Small Sensor Photography by Thomas Stirr

This article options some fundamental handheld telephoto suggestions that can be utilized to assist keep away from arm fatigue when utilizing bigger, heavier lenses. Now that I’m in my 70s I nonetheless use the identical fundamental method that I’ve utilized for a few years. There are some things that I’ve added to assist me shoot with the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS zoom lens for prolonged intervals of time.

NOTE: Click on pictures to enlarge. If you want to view this text in a spread of different languages, click on on the Canadian flag within the higher proper nook.

Regardless of the digital camera gear that we occur to personal, many people face conditions when taking pictures a protracted, heavy telephoto lens at a gradual shutter velocity is helpful.

When utilizing a protracted, heavy telephoto lens to {photograph} dragonflies and different bugs in flight, I all the time use a brief stool. This permits me to get down nearer to the motion, and place my elbows on my thighs for further assist when wanted.

To assist keep away from human-generated lens shake it’s useful to decide on an acceptable shutter velocity for the focal size getting used and our particular person talent degree.

Using a clean shutter launch movement, somewhat than a harsh stabbing one, will help cut back lens shake and create sharper pictures.

Practicing relaxed, managed respiratory can also be necessary. This helps keep away from our chests heaving and doubtlessly creating lens shake.

If we’re utilizing a protracted, heavy telephoto lens from a standing place it’s advisable to make use of an angled stance pointed in the direction of your goal. When panning with a chicken rotate easily out of your waist as this helps maintain your lens degree.

To correctly assist the burden of your digital camera and telephoto lens kind a assist triangle by retaining your elbows tucked in to your sides and your digital camera physique pressed firmly in opposition to your forehead.

When utilizing lenses that aren’t overly heavy an ordinary elbow place must be ample to assist its weight.

When taking pictures with giant, heavy telephoto lenses just like the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS, it’s essential to regulate your elbow place. Bringing your left elbow to the best and planting it firmly on the backside of your rib cage will assist create extra assist for the lens.

If you’re holding in a handheld place for a number of minutes with the identical topic chicken, modify the angle of your left arm by shifting your hand alongside the lens barrel. Shortening the gap out of your hand to your digital camera physique will assist create further assist.

Make positive to take care of good, upright posture because it helps to make use of extra of your again energy to assist the lens.

Use a snug digital camera harness to assist your digital camera and lens if you find yourself not actively taking pictures. I occur to love the Cotton Carrier Hyker Slingbag once I want to hold further objects with me.

I additionally use the Cotton Carrier G3 Harness for two Cameras. I discover each of those digital camera helps very snug and straightforward to make use of. There could also be different digital camera helps which are higher suited to your wants.

The key level is to make use of some form of digital camera assist when there are lulls within the taking pictures motion, as they supply some a lot wanted relaxation in your arms.

It has solely been the final couple of years that I began utilizing these digital camera helps… they usually have made a big distinction in serving to tp cut back arm fatigue throughout my senior years.

As we age we will lose muscle mass and energy. Don’t pay any consideration to the hype about dietary supplements. When it involves muscle mass and energy the previous adage of ‘use it or lose it’ proves to be true. The extra we get out and use our giant, heavy digital camera gear, the extra energy we’ll construct in our arms and higher physique.

We may also incorporate some delicate weight coaching into our on a regular basis routine. I take advantage of 5 lb. weights and do 200 reps a day with every arm. This solely takes about 5 minutes to do, so it’s simple to search out time to suit this in to my day by day routine.

I do that delicate weight coaching after spending half-hour on my rower/recumbent bike every day. I discover curls and/or hammer actions work effectively for me. This is one thing that I’ve added to my day by day routine to assist me shoot with lengthy, heavier telephoto lenses for prolonged intervals, and cut back the danger of arm fatigue.

The closing tip is to discover a snug and supportive digital camera physique to make use of with bigger, heavier telephoto lenses when taking pictures handheld. I’m lucky that I used to be already taking pictures with a pair of E-M1X our bodies. These our bodies make a noticeable distinction within the degree of assist, ergonomics and luxury they ship when out within the area for prolonged intervals.

If you’re feeling some arm fatigue you could discover that including a grip to your present digital camera could also be useful.

Technical Note

Photographs had been captured handheld utilizing digital camera gear as famous within the EXIF information. All pictures had been created from RAW recordsdata utilizing my normal course of in put up. This is the 1,476 article printed on this web site since its authentic inception in 2015.

How you’ll be able to maintain this web site promoting free

My intent is to maintain this pictures weblog promoting free. If you loved this text and/or my web site and want to assist my work, you’ll be able to buy an eBook, or make a donation by PayPal (see Donate field under). Both are most appreciated. Sometimes all we’d like as photographers is a little bit of inspiration. We hope yow will discover a few of that inside Finding Visual Expression II.

Buy

Finding Visual Expression II is on the market for obtain for an funding of $11.99 CDN. The finest viewing expertise of this eBook might be at 100% utilizing Adobe Acrobat Reader.

You could also be fascinated about the entire 30 ideas coated in each of those associated eBooks. If so, you could need to additionally think about Finding Visual Expression.

Buy

Finding Visual Expression is on the market for obtain for an funding of $11.99 Cdn. The finest viewing expertise of this eBook might be at 100% utilizing Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Our different eBooks embrace Images of Ireland, New Zealand Tip-to-Tip, Nikon 1: The Little Camera That Could, Desert & Mountain Memories, Images of Greece, Nova Scotia Photography Tour, and a enterprise management parable… Balancing Eggs.

If you click on on the Donate button under you will see that there are three donation choices: $7.50, $10.00 and $20.00. All are in Canadian funds. Plus, you’ll be able to select a unique quantity if you need. You may also improve your donation quantity to assist offset our prices related to accepting your donation by PayPal. An ongoing, month-to-month contribution to assist our work will also be carried out by the PayPal Donate button under.

You could make your donation by your PayPal account, or by utilizing a variety of bank card choices.

Word of mouth is the most effective type of endorsement. If you want our web site please let your folks and associates find out about our work. Linking to this website or to particular articles is allowed with correct acknowledgement. Reproducing articles, or any of the photographs contained in them, on one other web site or in any social media posting is a Copyright infringement.

Article is Copyright 2025 Thomas Stirr. Images are Copyright 2014-2025 Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, duplication or adaptation of any type is allowed with out written consent. If you see this text reproduced wherever else it’s an unauthorized and unlawful use. Posting feedback on offending web sites and calling out people who steal mental property is all the time appreciated!