I think the question speaks for itself. Is this obvious? Do all serious birders adopt a common approach, and are you all laughing at me for asking a dumb question?
As for me, well I support the eyepiece end with my thumbs, and then grip the objective by placing two fingers on top and two fingers underneath. I then brace my upper arms against my chest.
Am I alone in finding it easier to hold longer binoculars steady?
Sounds very uncomfortable, but I guess I'll give that a try to see if it is any more stable than normal holding (thumbs below, all fingers above). I doubt it will be though, as vibration originates more in the arms than the hands
Can you post a photo showing how you hold them?
Michael
I hold them like Michael (spreading the fingers along the length of the barrels aids control), and for extended viewing I butt the top of the eyepiece against the inner edge of the orbital ridge of my eye socket and angle my head slightly forward, viewing therefore with my eyes cast slightly upward. This steadies the instrument, and I find that my clearest view is slightly above the center of the field.
...And I can do this while standing on a medicine ball and juggling three oranges.