Holding a RF in portrait orientation

[jtzordon]

Every time I shoot a frame in portrait orientation with my 35mm rangefinders I'm convinced I'm shaky. Some of the shots prove me right. What's the technique? I'm used to cradling the lens on an SLR with my left hand, but can't do this with the smaller rangefinder lenses.

 

[ZeissFan]

If you press the camera against your forehead, it gives you more stability when shooting a portrait.

 

[FA Limited]

this is one of my big beefs with using an RF
with my Fuji GA645 especially with it's "normal portrait orientation" i find that instead of holding the camera upwards to my forehead, i hold it in a slightly awkward way down towards face and trigger with my LEFT index finger

 

[former member]

Some depends on the specifics of the camera.

Which camera are you using?

 

[chris00nj]

I don't seem to have that problem, but I can never focus quickly in the vertical position. I always have to focus in the horizontal position and then quickly switch.

 

[jtzordon]

Brian, I'm shooting a Bessa R and Canon P.

Playing around with them today I've found a way to support the lens with my left hand. Only, I'll have problems focusing that way. I guess it's a trade off there.

 

[Ronald M]

Hold camea in landscape, rotate cc so shutter is on top. Press camer or right thumb against forehead, left elbow into your ribs.

Theld clip on meters were nice because they allowed forehead stability in landscape mode.

 

[ferider]

Hold camea in landscape, rotate cc so shutter is on top. Press camer or right thumb against forehead, left elbow into your ribs.

That's what I do as well and it works for me.

The other classic RF portrait position is to turn the camera clock-wise, and press the shutter with your thumb. Keith's avatar shows how this is done.

Roland.

 

[raid]

I focus with the camera in horizontal position, and then I just turn the camera vertically and shoot ... and shoot.

 

[peterm1]

Some people find they are more stable if they rotate the camera in the opposite direction. Counter-intuitive but works. That means having the right hand lower than the left. and pressing the shutter button with the thumb.

EDIT Oops just see others have pointed this out.