Man! I thought it was the camera's fault!

[lovemy6monkeys]

Over the last little bit I've been frustrated because a majority of the pictures I take look blurry to some degree. My camera has always been finicky taking indoor pictures (it takes awesome outdoor ones) but never this bad. Then I realized that every time I use the camera it shows the "shaky camera" icon. I've set it on the stabilizing setting and the shaky icon still shows. I guess the tremors that were infrequent a month or so ago are now happening on some level most the time.

On one level, I already kind of knew that. If I hold a fork or pen just using my thumb and pointer finger, it will start to twitch within seconds. I've not had much of a problem with the tremors, other then the blurry pictures, but I am a bit concerned that it has progressed so much in the last month. I have my LP on Friday, then I assume I'll see my doctor within a week or two for a follow up with the results...so I'll tell him about the tremors then.

In the meantime: anyone have any camera recommendations for me? Ones that have an MS tremor-proof stabilization? LOL   My birthday is next month, and if we have $$ for a gift for me I'd like a camera that will take clear pictures. I take sooooo many pictures of the kids and having the majority of them come out blurry is bugging the heck out of me!

I hope everyone has been having a good weekend! I've been studying like I've never studied before with my transcription course, and made 100% and 96% on my first two tests :-)
~Jess

[PastorDan]

As one who once taught 35mm photography and has at least stayed conversant in the digital world, I'd agree with everything Dennis said (except that his Nixon D80 is almost certainly a Nikon ;>) ).

Let us know if this helps, and post some pix on your profile page, if you get a chance, please.  I'm sure I speak for many when I say we love to help when we're able.

[Sailorsong]

I have been a photo buff all of my life and have taken many great photos over the years. Like the other I have experienced problems taking pictures due to tremors. Over the years I have used various cameras and have found the digital SLR cameras to be the best for taking quality pictures for a number of reasons.I currently have a Nixon D80. First and foremost is the ability to set up the camera through the rich menus and also the changing of lens to match what kind of pictures you are taking.  Second is the ability to change the ISO to that of high speed (1000 at least) to help with blurry pictures. I have learned most of my tricks to overcome the blurs from taking low light pictures.

1) set ISO to as high a number as you can.
2) Set shutter speed as high as you can. ( my camera allows you to set it to a shutter speed priority and it sets the aperture accordingly for the light level.
3) use something to stabilize the camera ( tripod, table, etc).
4) Use multiple picture mode ( takes 3 pictures in succession which means most of the time at least one will not be blurry).

I believe some of the newer digital SLR cameras also have the stability modes available.

The camcorders I believe would produce more blurry pictures than the digital SLR cameras because they don't have as high a shutter speed as they rely on a persons natural ability to merge the pictures of a movie to remove any blurring of the image.

Dennis

[jensequitur]

Same exact problem.  I can't take a clean picture unless my arm is braced against something.

You can always make a water bottle tripod.  Take the cap from a water bottle, or 20 oz. coke, and drill or make a hole in the center.  Find a screw that will go into the screw hole in your camera, and stick it through the hole in the bottle top.  Then put the top on the water bottle, and you have a way to put the camera on a surface.

[supermum_ms]

My DH read this over my shoulder last night and laughed, funny but i to have the same problem! All my photos are blurred, we have 3 good cameras and no one takes photos like mine, shutter speed, anti shake etc dont seem to make a difference because i tremor all the time, even when i dont think i'm still in tremor mode, I am lol.

I also can't see what i'm trying to take a picture of, I think those little screens need to be as big as a laptop or i'm guessing, absolutely nothing is ever in the centre and sometimes if i jerk when i push the button, its a hoot trying to work out what i was looking at.

I dont think i could use a tripod, most of the shots i'm suppose to take are in a boat, or hanging off a jet ski, motor bike zooming past or high which makes it harder because i have a slow reaction time now. Our cameras are designed for action shots but not my kind of action. LOL

I have been thinking about getting a cam corder so i can take mini movies and make photos out of that using the computer program we've got. Has anyone tried that? Or can you get a less wobbly image by using a cancorder or does the problem still exist?

Cheers........JJ  

[RedFlame]

Hi Jess,  I have a Canon Rebel, and a PowerShot that I just love  Both of them have the stabilizers but they don't work for me now.  

I have to use a tripod all the time.  Buy a good one that has a level so you don't have to deal with that.  And like PastorDan said look into the cleaning of the lens.  

can you share your pics?  

[PastorDan]

Oh, make sure the lens is clean!  Blur can be caused by dust or oils accumulated on the lens surface.

[PastorDan]

Depending on the camera and your options/ability for changing settings, you should use a faster shutter speed, something under 1/125th of a second if possible.  This means you need to use a larger aperture (aka f-stop; smaller number = larger aperture) or a faster "film speed."

I'm assuming you're talking about a digital camera of some sort, but most of them usually have an ISO or "film speed" setting, even though they have no film.  It makes the rest of the math possible for those of us who learned it the good old way. ;>D

[HVAC]

I like Panasonic with built in stabilizers for a point and shoot. I use tripods as well. Once you get used to a tripod they are not bad. When I studied photography in art school I was taught to use a tripod and my Professor who is in a wheel chair now still uses one. Oh and I was taught to hold my breath when I shoot a picture.

Alex