Hand on the lens question?

[pullmyfinger]

I took this at a baseball game and was curious about why these photographers held their hands on the lens?
Is it to stabilize it? Or is there some other reason for doing this?

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[Fred Kingston_RIP]

Looks like they're manually focusing... just a wild guess...ride:

 

[pullmyfinger]

I wasn't sure, mainly because the way the photographer on the right seems to be holding the lens down. I should have clarified, it looks like he's resting his hand on the lens hood (I'm not sure what that lens is) Go figure...I would pay more attention to the Nikon shooter.

 

[BackdoorArts]

My guess is that with a long lens the hand on the front counteracts the pressure from the shutter release on the back, something you wouldn't need on a tripod with a remote release. I'm guessing the tripod is also set to allow camera movement with some pressure (ie. taught, but not tight) so two hands allow easier, quicker and more stable pivoting.

 

[carguy]

Controlling kickback when they press the shutter

 

[Dave_W]

Adjusting the zoom would be my guess

 

[BackdoorArts]

Adjusting the zoom would be my guess

Might be tough considering the middle 3 are all Canon 300mm f2.8's.

 

[Horoscope Fish]

If I had a 300mm f/2.8 I'd keep both my grubby little mitts on it too.




...

 

[nikonpup]

the hand on top of the long lens is for stabiliaztion/vibration reduction.