Holding a camera feels weird?

corblimey

I've just bought a Nikon P500 - I didn't want to go down the full SLR route just yet, but wanted something a bit meatier than a point and shoot.

The problem is that I'm not too sure about holding it. I've followed tutorials, blogs, images, etc I've found online, but it still feels kinda unnatural and uncomfortable. I'm hoping it's because I'm so used to the way most people hold their point and shoot, at arm's length with arms wide open. To go from there to holding the camera in the palm of your left hand while gripping the right side and keeping your elbow locked in. It all just feels a bit forced, but I'm hoping it just takes a little bit of getting used to?

The P500 comes with a viewfinder so I'm trying to use that rather than the lcd screen.

DaireQuinlan

You're probably over thinking it a little. Loosen up and hold it whichever way feels the most comfortable.

listermint

Back in my day it was all windey windey wind with the thumb

There was no holding out the camera point and shoot.



As above, It will grow on you. Give it time and dont read blogs on it, youll never learn anything tactile from a blog....

corblimey

listermint wrote: »

As above, It will grow on you. Give it time and dont read blogs on it, youll never learn anything tactile from a blog....

Agreed, although the first time I held it like my old Fuji Finepix, so obviously needed a little bit of instruction...

I remember when I first got my DSLR, I actually watched a video on how to hold it 'properly'. They were saying you should grip tightly with the right hand, and place the left hand underneath the lens, almost wrapping around the bottom half of it.

I could feel my left wrist hurting doing it so I said balls to that. I continued to just wrap the camera strap around my right wrist and let the camera dangle, and when I needed to use it, i'd hold the grip on the right, and hold the left hand as though it was a point and shoot camera (thumb on the bottom, index finger on the top).

These days, I do actually hold my camera the way the guide said to. Not intentionally, but I do think I kinda just fell into it. It's more comfortable now though, and my wrist doesn't cause me any hassle or pain at all.

I actually often particularly try to hold my lenses in a way now that I think is great, and that I seen in that "The President's Photographer" video (Pete Souza, I believe) where he curls his left hand under the lens, and uses his index finger to try and hold it steadier. It's quite handy, actually.


Anyway, I'm just rambling now. Hold it however you feel comfortable holding it; you'll soon adapt.

CabanSail

Going from a DSLR to a Compact it was weird the other way around. I have been used to a Viewfinder for so long that it took a while getting used to using an LCD Screen. Now when I pick up my G9 it feels normal and when it's a DSLR it is still natural to use it the normal way of using the viewfinder.