[Leica] More on camera shakes

[lrzeitlin at aol.com (lrzeitlin at aol.com)]

Most camera shakes are up and down motions of the long lens on the 
camera. A tripod would be a good idea but generally you won't be able 
to use it because a lot of public places consider it a hazard. I.e. 
careless people trip over it. For a good temporary fix try these 
solutions:
1. Screw a very short 1/4" hex head bolt into the tripod socket on the 
bottom of your camera. Tie a string around the bolt, a 1/8" cord will 
do, long enough to reach from the camera to the ground. When you raise 
the camera to your eye, step on the end of the string and pull up. The 
gentle tension will stop the camera from wobbling up and down.
2. Get a small bag, either a bean bag or a small bag filled with sand. 
Rest it on top of a pole or a railing. Steady the camera on the bag 
when you take the pictures.
3. Buy a monopod. This is basically a collapsible walking stick with a 
tripod screw on the top. Screw it into the camera, extend the leg to 
the right height and take pictures. It doesn't interfere much with 
camera motions but does a lot to steady the picture.
4. Have a couple of glasses of wine before taking pictures. Enough to 
steady the shakes but not so much that you fall over.
Larry Z