Pfreddee
Well-known
My legs don't work as well as they used to, and my balance while I'm holding a camera is bad. I can brace myself against a wall or tree or post or some other solid object, but such things aren't always available. If I'm standing alone, I feel as if I'm about to fall over. Besides getting a light tripod, how do some of you other physically- challenged people manage?
Thank you to all who reply.
With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
Thank you to all who reply.
With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
madNbad
Well-known
First of all, good for you being out and about. What about a monopod? It would work both as a camera support and something to lean on if needed. A lot of the newer ones have retractable feet to give even more support than just a single point.
CMur12
Veteran
Stephen, I've long had a slight tremor in my hands, so hand-holding a camera has become increasingly less productive. Wearing eyeglasses also makes cameras with eye-level finders more difficult (though it hasn't stopped me altogether).
Since I do more landscape-type photography, I emphasize image quality more than street shooters normally do. So, I tend to use a tripod.
TLRs with waist-level finders are a joy on a tripod and I can easily view the viewing screen with both eyes simultaneously through eyeglasses. Since the camera is at waist level, it requires less tripod extension and makes lighter tripods more practicable. The low vibration of this type of camera also allows for a tripod of lighter weight.
I find that pan-tilt tripod heads work better with waist-level finders than ball heads do.
I find cameras with eye-level finders less easy to use on a tripod, but I have found that an angle finder allows me to place the camera lower (again, less extension of the tripod) and see more easily looking down through the eyepiece than having to line my eye up with an eye-level finder from behind.
With an angle finder, I think a pan-tilt tripod head is still better. If looking through an eye-level finder from the back, a ball head might serve you well. (I'm not a fan of ball heads.)
It sounds like you would rather not be bound to a tripod, but sometimes a tripod is a wonderful thing.
Good luck finding what works for you.
- Murray
Since I do more landscape-type photography, I emphasize image quality more than street shooters normally do. So, I tend to use a tripod.
TLRs with waist-level finders are a joy on a tripod and I can easily view the viewing screen with both eyes simultaneously through eyeglasses. Since the camera is at waist level, it requires less tripod extension and makes lighter tripods more practicable. The low vibration of this type of camera also allows for a tripod of lighter weight.
I find that pan-tilt tripod heads work better with waist-level finders than ball heads do.
I find cameras with eye-level finders less easy to use on a tripod, but I have found that an angle finder allows me to place the camera lower (again, less extension of the tripod) and see more easily looking down through the eyepiece than having to line my eye up with an eye-level finder from behind.
With an angle finder, I think a pan-tilt tripod head is still better. If looking through an eye-level finder from the back, a ball head might serve you well. (I'm not a fan of ball heads.)
It sounds like you would rather not be bound to a tripod, but sometimes a tripod is a wonderful thing.
Good luck finding what works for you.
- Murray
Larry H-L
Well-known
Do a search for “trek or trekking stick with camera mount,” on your favorite web store, about $20 for one, $40 for two.
Huss
Veteran
Murray mentioned a TLR.
They actually are very stable to shoot if you shoot them at waist level (or whatever the maximum extension the neck strap allows) using the camera's weight plus a tiny bit of pull down tension provided by the shooter.
It forms a natural brace.
You can also use a chest mount:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...esearch_h017_binopod_harness_system_with.html
They actually are very stable to shoot if you shoot them at waist level (or whatever the maximum extension the neck strap allows) using the camera's weight plus a tiny bit of pull down tension provided by the shooter.
It forms a natural brace.
You can also use a chest mount:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...esearch_h017_binopod_harness_system_with.html
Go digital and get a camera with IBIS... or embrace the shake! Many great photos from the past are blurry and shaky.
Pfreddee
Well-known
JS, it's not the shake that I'm concerned about, it's falling down flat.
With best regards,
Pfreddee(Stephen)
With best regards,
Pfreddee(Stephen)
JS, it's not the shake that I'm concerned about, it's falling down flat.
Oh, I see.
Then yeah, the monopod/walking stick idea.benlees
Well-known
Balance exercises might be a good idea. They are very easy and you don't need equipment (though there are plenty of things as well). These exercises keep your stabilizers working as well as your brain! Worth a google.
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
I have the same problem, due to suffering a stroke in 2013. My condition has improved since then and I'm less shaky than before.
What you need is Image Stabilization. If you're shooting digital, IS is widely available. Many cameras now have it built into the camera body so it works with any lens you put on it. The in-body IS on the two Olympus micro four thirds cameras I use (the Pen-F and the OM-D E-M1 mark II) has really saved my ability to do handheld photography. Back when I was shooting Canon fullframe digital, I had the 24-105mm f4L IS lens, which also works on Canon EOS film bodies, so I bought an EOS 1V to shoot film with after the stroke.
Nikon and Canon both made IS lenses that worked on their autofocus film camera bodies as well as their digital bodies. If you only shoot film, it might be useful for you to buy a used Nikon or Canon camera and an IS lens.
I'm finally able to handhold again without IS, but its taken me a lot of practice to get good at it again. I had to do so after O.C. Garza gave me the Leica IIIf back in September; they didn't have IS in the early 1950s! The fact that the camera is small helps.
If you want to shoot medium format or you don't shoot digital and don't want to buy a 35mm camera that supports IS lenses, then a tripod is probably going to be needed.
What you need is Image Stabilization. If you're shooting digital, IS is widely available. Many cameras now have it built into the camera body so it works with any lens you put on it. The in-body IS on the two Olympus micro four thirds cameras I use (the Pen-F and the OM-D E-M1 mark II) has really saved my ability to do handheld photography. Back when I was shooting Canon fullframe digital, I had the 24-105mm f4L IS lens, which also works on Canon EOS film bodies, so I bought an EOS 1V to shoot film with after the stroke.
Nikon and Canon both made IS lenses that worked on their autofocus film camera bodies as well as their digital bodies. If you only shoot film, it might be useful for you to buy a used Nikon or Canon camera and an IS lens.
I'm finally able to handhold again without IS, but its taken me a lot of practice to get good at it again. I had to do so after O.C. Garza gave me the Leica IIIf back in September; they didn't have IS in the early 1950s! The fact that the camera is small helps.
If you want to shoot medium format or you don't shoot digital and don't want to buy a 35mm camera that supports IS lenses, then a tripod is probably going to be needed.
Hari
Well-known
With the Rollei I use the tiny Minox tripod if there's a chair or table available.
Out in the wild, a tree. The tripod allows adjustment and the head can be tightened
with a small coin.
Out in the wild, a tree. The tripod allows adjustment and the head can be tightened
with a small coin.
Huss
Veteran
One really good option is a stick chair. You can use it as a walking stick, then you can open it as a chair to support you when you want to take pics.
https://thestickchair.com
https://thestickchair.com
Beemermark
Veteran
Physical Therapy helps a lot and teaches you exercises to help maintain your balance. But, at some point you just have to get a cane, learn to look for a wall, tree or something to set on -
. Getting old isn't for sissies.
Bill Clark
Veteran
Have you tried this?
Found on Amazon.
Drive Medical Deluxe Folding Cane Seat, Black
by Drive Medical
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,047 ratings | 95 answered questions
Amazon's
Choice
for "portable stools folding lightweight"
List Price: $41.47
Price: $22.87
You Save: $18.60 (45%)
Found on Amazon.
Drive Medical Deluxe Folding Cane Seat, Black
by Drive Medical
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,047 ratings | 95 answered questions
Amazon's
Choice
for "portable stools folding lightweight"
List Price: $41.47
Price: $22.87
You Save: $18.60 (45%)
peterm1
Veteran
A monopod is more flexible and nearly as good as a tripod. If you place the monopod in front of you and spread your legs as you hold the camera to your face you virtually have a tripod even with slightly wonky legs. The added advantage is the when not serving as a photographic monopod it can serve as a large walking staff - given your legs' condition this might be useful to you particularly. To aid in this you can mount a quick release plate which allows the camera to be mounted or detached instantly and hung around your neck while moving about.
I suffered a spinal stenosis last year which damaged some spinal nerves serving my legs and my hands as well. This has somewhat damaged my steadiness on my legs at times as well as the motor skills in my hands. its not too bad but I do struggle when tired and a monopod is a good aid now and then though I mainly find its benefit being with larger lenses (being still able to cope OK with most smaller lenses )
This kind of thing (image from the internet).
Kai-san
Filmwaster
I suggest to get a good old English shooting stick which doubles up as a walking stick and a portable seat. These are available in many different guises and with a spike or rubber end. The only video I could find which shows how it's used is an ad, unfortunately. I do not have any shares in or affiliation with this company.
Warning: Advertisement!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgaZARXP1Q4
Warning: Advertisement!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgaZARXP1Q4
David Hughes
David Hughes
Shooting sticks are great for resting on a walk and a plain walking stick is great for walking and lighter but both have the disadvantage that you need to carry them and can't use both hands so quickly and easily.
Experience is that an old fashioned wooden walking stick is best; modern ones (metal and plastic) seem to cost a lot and fail suddenly. A friend replaces them every couple of years. But my blackthorn one has been around for 30 years. The traditional pattern walking stick with a 'c' shaped top is great as the 'c' hooks over your arm to free your hands.
BTW, shooting sticks that are comfortable to sit on are not so comfortable to walk with and (BTW2) there are fashions in sticks, rural and urban and so on.
When it's dry I find sitting down and spreading my legs works well for a stable camera support. But I have to put up with my wife's comments. And I have to struggle up again.
If you go down the stick route then a simple wrist strap can be made from half inch wide elastic. Make a loop of it then join it to make a figure of eight; one loop tight for going round the stick and the other loop for your wrist.
Regards, David
Experience is that an old fashioned wooden walking stick is best; modern ones (metal and plastic) seem to cost a lot and fail suddenly. A friend replaces them every couple of years. But my blackthorn one has been around for 30 years. The traditional pattern walking stick with a 'c' shaped top is great as the 'c' hooks over your arm to free your hands.
BTW, shooting sticks that are comfortable to sit on are not so comfortable to walk with and (BTW2) there are fashions in sticks, rural and urban and so on.
When it's dry I find sitting down and spreading my legs works well for a stable camera support. But I have to put up with my wife's comments. And I have to struggle up again.
If you go down the stick route then a simple wrist strap can be made from half inch wide elastic. Make a loop of it then join it to make a figure of eight; one loop tight for going round the stick and the other loop for your wrist.
Regards, David
Pfreddee
Well-known
A great big Thank You! to everyone who has replied so far. I was planning to start physical therapy but then the pestilence hit, and I will have to wait on that until things cool down. I have a blackthorn walking stick, but the tip slipped on the floor and I fell (reached too far forward for the tip) and had to have the rescue squad help me get up. Now I'm using a metal stick with a tripod foot, after my wife insisted I use that instead. The suggestions so far have been a big help and source of encouragement, so thank you all once again!
With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
Now I'm using a metal stick with a tripod foot, after my wife insisted I use that instead. The suggestions so far have been a big help and source of encouragement, so thank you all once again!With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
CMur12
Veteran
Stephen, here are some thoughts from further brainstorming:
1. My original thought of a TLR on a tripod would be a burden for you to carry and it could compromise your balance.
2. If you are at risk of falling, I hope you are not going out shooting by yourself. If shooting with a companion, perhaps the other person could carry the camera on a tripod and you could just take a walking stick for personal stability.
3. This thought is way out of the box! A crutch could help to stabilize and orient you for standing and taking a photo handheld. I believe most crutches are adjustable, so using it with the top piece lowered could aid walking, while raising the top piece to fit snugly under your arm could provide stability for standing and shooting.
Just some wild thoughts for your consideration.
- Murray
1. My original thought of a TLR on a tripod would be a burden for you to carry and it could compromise your balance.
2. If you are at risk of falling, I hope you are not going out shooting by yourself. If shooting with a companion, perhaps the other person could carry the camera on a tripod and you could just take a walking stick for personal stability.
3. This thought is way out of the box! A crutch could help to stabilize and orient you for standing and taking a photo handheld. I believe most crutches are adjustable, so using it with the top piece lowered could aid walking, while raising the top piece to fit snugly under your arm could provide stability for standing and shooting.
Just some wild thoughts for your consideration.
- Murray
David Hughes
David Hughes
A great big Thank You! to everyone who has replied so far. I was planning to start physical therapy but then the pestilence hit, and I will have to wait on that until things cool down. I have a blackthorn walking stick, but the tip slipped on the floor and I fell (reached too far forward for the tip) and had to have the rescue squad help me get up.
With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
Sorry to hear of your problems with the blackthorn (they are special imo) but could I ask if you've a rubber end to it? I keep the brass and steel ferrules on mine but have a rubber tip that slips over it to stop it slipping over.
Anyway, I'll wish you luck.
Regards, David