I've no doubt at all that people believe that. However, let's try to look
at this logically.
While a pair of hands may or may not be able to "absorb" shock in theory,
for this supposedly beneficial application to have any good effect in the
present case those hands would need to be kept more still (more stable)
than the stability afforded by the existing platform (tripod/camera
assembly). Should those hands move more than the existing platform then
they'd serve to introduce camera shake, not eliminate it.
Now, does it stand to reason that a man could hold his hands more steadily
as a tripod/camera already sits at rest? My experience tells me that is not
possible in normal circumstances. It just might be possible to construct a
scenario where hands could help to steady a tripod (say, in gusting wind),
but I put it to you that normally a tripod/camera setup is best left
untouched. This is, afterall, why cable releases are recommended for use.
As for this application being most applicable with long-focal-length
lenses: I don't use telephotos often, but the last time I did it was my
85-250mm and after I'd set it up I had the impression everything was as
steady as it would have been using my 28mm lens instead, for example.
Tris
We've actually discussed this before. The belief is that by bracing it with
your hands, your body actually absorbs some of the vibration of the mirror.
Tom
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