Medical joint overload by heavy dlsr?

[schill]

I "lay" the camera and lens into my left hand (with hand underneath, palm facing upward). The right hand doesn't carry much weight. I use my index finger to tweak focus and my thumb+pinky to change zoom. I've held the camera for 15+ hours and don't feel any fatigue from it (other than in my shoulders from having my arms up more than usual).

This is essentially what I do as well. My left hand is usually under the lens (or camera and lens if the lens is small) and my left arm is taking most of the weight - and it's not concentrated on a few fingers. I rarely ever support the weight in my right hand. I'm typically shooting with a 7D and 70-200/2.8 and this works well for me.

I basically operate as if I have a lens with a camera hanging off the back, rather than as if I have a camera with a lens in the front. Support the lens and operate the camera. If I am carrying this arrangement (not shooting), I hold the lens, not the camera.

If I shoot vertically, I like my right hand above the camera rather than below. The left hand is still holding the weight. For shooting vertically, I find this more comfortable than using a grip (although I haven't used one since my film days long ago ).

 

[schill]

If you're not going to mount it on a monopod, then lose the tripod collar and get a good hold with your left hand under the lens

I usually rotate the collar up (so that it is in front of the flash) as long as that doesn't interfere with anything else. I find this is ok when holding the camera either horizontally or vertically.

I know several people who are most comfortable supporting the camera with their left hand under the base of the tripod collar. The weight is supported by the collar on their palm and their fingers are free to operate the lens without bearing any of the weight. I find that to be a bit awkward (and maybe not quite as stable) but I can't really see anything wrong with it.

 

[Loswr]

A good start would be to support the weight with your left hand under the lens. With the 70-300L, I find the tripod ring helps with that and places my fingertips at the zoom ring (not the focus ring, which is where they want to go since that's the zoom ring position on all my other L-series zooms).

A battery grip would help in that you wouldn't be able have a finger under the camera. But it also adds more weight... I think it's a good idea - I used grips before getting a 1-series.

My advice would be a new flash bracket and a hand strap. The strap transfers the weight to your hand/wrist. Get the Really Right Stuff L-plate for the 60D - it's one of their newer modular designs that converts from base plate to full L bracket (but you have to pick for no grip vs grip). The base plate has a lug for a hand strap. Get the RRS wedding pro (WPF-QR) flash bracket. Like most brackets (unlike yours), it extends up the left-hand side of the camera, and it allows an easy flip for use in portrait orientation.

 

[Marsu42]

If you're not going to mount it on a monopod, then lose the tripod collar and get a good hold with your left hand under the lens.

Thanks a lot for the handling advice and the "how to" picture, that might a good part of my problem! The other part is that I too often walk around with the camera just in my right hand when not shooting.

I looked at my own mirror shots again and I am indeed usually holding the camera somewhat differently than here pressed against the wall, but nevertheless *holding* isn't the same as really putting the *weight* into the left arm.

Please do note I'm just a humble amateur mind you and just recently got this heavy stuff ... though it's complicated to get the weight to the left arm when lying on the ground or in awkward positions I shot a lot in during the last time.

I usually rotate the collar up (so that it is in front of the flash) as long as that doesn't interfere with anything else. I find this is ok when holding the camera either horizontally or vertically.

Unfortunately with my flash bracket the collar is in the way in for either landscape/portrait all but the downward position, that might be the reason other people use the "L" bracket type instead of my Demb version... but I could remove the collar alltogether when I don't need it or try to put it in my palm.

Get the Really Right Stuff L-plate for the 60D - it's one of their newer modular designs that converts from base plate to full L bracket (but you have to pick for no grip vs grip). The base plate has a lug for a hand strap. Get the RRS wedding pro (WPF-QR) flash bracket. Like most brackets (unlike yours), it extends up the left-hand side of the camera, and it allows an easy flip for use in portrait orientation.

Hmmmyeswell, the price tag is the reason why I went for my type - but seeing my current problems I'll probably have to bite the bullet and get the proper stuff - thanks for the advice!

 

[tron]

Now that you uploaded the pictures I understand the need for APS-C/70-300L/flash/no tripod combination.
But, how about a gorilla pod or a big bean bag (at least for the subset of your pictures you take by crawling...)?

 

[SteenerMe]

You shoot 8-10hours a day with a 60D....why?!

 

[Cannon Man]

Get a battery grip.

I hand hold the canon 1D X with the 70-200mm 2.8 IS II for very long periods at a time and i have no problems because it has a grip that allows my whole hand sit on..

I had a 5D Mark II and it was always uncomfortable to hold. It is a bad idea to have a small camera and a heavy lens.

Did i already say get a battery grip?

 

[dstppy]

Honestly, I would shop for a bracket that supports a handstrap to start with.

I have 2 of the Canon handstraps and an arca-swiss plate on each body (which also allows for the grips) and I have to say, dollar-for-dollar, they've been the best accessory for my cameras. It totally changes the load on your hand.

 

[Marsu42]

You shoot 8-10hours a day with a 60D....why?!

Because it's fun and you have to be patient with animals, frogs quak or yawn only so many times a day, wild horses run or relax only for some minutes, butterflies are in perfect light and position only for so many seconds, ...

Plus I'm learning how to do it and thus am not getting paid for it - hence I can either shoot or earn money ... and 8-10h is not 365d/y but only in the peak summer season when I'm on holiday and the weather is good.

Get a battery grip.

I was always hesitant to buy more stuff that only fits my (old) 60d and cuts away the 60d's main advantage - size & weight... but well, I'll have to think about it I guess.

Fyi all: I Just looked up two pages on how to hold a dslr and now I know why I have gotten around to do it otherwise - I lie flat on the ground a lot (handheld macro, animals) with the camera near ground level and putting the wrist under the camera isn't possible this way...

http://improvephotography.com/1365/how-to-properly-hold-a-dslr-camera/

http://godigitalslr.com/hold-dlsr/

 

[viggen61]

I use a Canon grip on my 7D. It's the only way I can grasp the camera with all my fingers. Otherwise, my right pinky is left underneath it, and that is uncomfortable.

I typically use the Gripped 7D with a 100-400L, and when I handhold that, my right hand is on the camera and grip, and my left hand is under the lens, supporting the majority of the weight. Same thing if I get out the 430EXII and Better Beamer.

Your right hand should be bearing very little of the rig's weight. Your left hand should be holding it all up, either from the bottom of a longer lens, or with the palm supporting the base of the camera/grip, and fingers on the lens.

Oh, if the tripod collar foot is too small or uncomfortable, get a mount plate like an Arca-Swiss style. I have a Wimberley P20 on my 100-400 and it makes holding it a lot more comfortable.

 

[Harry Muff]

The advice I always give to people is simply to pretend they are holding a rifle. Seems to help them.


And then there's the "shooting" link too. ;D

 

[viggen61]

Fyi all: I Just looked up two pages on how to hold a dslr and now I know why I have gotten around to do it otherwise - I lie flat on the ground a lot (handheld macro, animals) with the camera near ground level and putting the wrist under the camera isn't possible this way...

Then you need to explore other options. I know I could never handhold my rig without support under the lens.

Beanbags are one option, there are "tabletop" tripods that might get low enough, there is a $99 "ground pod" that is like a plastic pan you attach a head to, or make your own with a cheap or old small frying pan.

http://www.digitalbirdphotography.com/windows/4.1.html

(Scroll down, near the bottom to see a BIG lens on a cheap frying pan...)

 

[Loswr]

Get the Really Right Stuff L-plate for the 60D - it's one of their newer modular designs that converts from base plate to full L bracket (but you have to pick for no grip vs grip). The base plate has a lug for a hand strap. Get the RRS wedding pro (WPF-QR) flash bracket. Like most brackets (unlike yours), it extends up the left-hand side of the camera, and it allows an easy flip for use in portrait orientation.

Hmmmyeswell, the price tag is the reason why I went for my type - but seeing my current problems I'll probably have to bite the bullet and get the proper stuff - thanks for the advice!

I sort of figured, but it's like the MasterCard commercial - RRS B60D-L: $120, RRS WPF-QR: $170, continued use of your hand: priceless.

 

[Ryan708]

I paid <40$ for my battery grip for my 60D and it makes shooting a lot more comfortable. not only does it give my pinky somewhere to live, but the "pivot point" or fulcrum if you will, [that is pushing against your palm] is further from your fingers releiving some tension.

 

[schill]

Fyi all: I Just looked up two pages on how to hold a dslr and now I know why I have gotten around to do it otherwise - I lie flat on the ground a lot (handheld macro, animals) with the camera near ground level and putting the wrist under the camera isn't possible this way...

I've done the same thing and not had a problem so I guess that may come down to individual comfort. I will admit that it's not the same as standing up holding it. Usually, though, if I'm not looking through the viewfinder there may be other, more optimal, ways to hold things.

If you are so close to the ground that you can't comfortably hold the lens from underneath, I suggest you get a very small tripod or even just screw a small block of wood to the lens foot - something that will hold up the weight of the lens without adding too much overall weight.

You really don't want to be supporting the weight in your right hand, especially if you are contorting your arm/wrist/fingers to hold it in such a low position. If nothing else, it will not be as stable and you will probably introduce more shake.

 

[schill]

Beanbags are one option, there are "tabletop" tripods that might get low enough, there is a $99 "ground pod" that is like a plastic pan you attach a head to, or make your own with a cheap or old small frying pan.

A small plate (used for food) and a <20 USD ballhead should work fine for this and be very light, if you want a little more flexibility. I'd throw in an Arca-Swiss compatible clamp and plate for the lens, but that will add cost.

 

[G-V]

Use a tripod ;D

 

[optikus]

The advice I always give to people is simply to pretend they are holding a rifle. Seems to help them.


And then there's the "shooting" link too. ;D

Exactly that is, what I was told when starting to use longer lenses. Avoids trouble also with heavyer lenses and pro-body. Monpod or shoulder-support is an alternative, but not practicable at any place.

Joerg

 

[Marsu42]

The advice I always give to people is simply to pretend they are holding a rifle. Seems to help them.

Exactly that is, what I was told when starting to use longer lenses.

Probably the NRA start a "shooting is good for your health" campaign :-> ... over here in Germany though there's a definitive lack of gun proliferation, not to my dismay as I might add, but the analogy is still valid and helpful.

Use a tripod ;D

And tell all animals to please pose right in front of it in the correct distance and height ...

... fyi all: Yesterday I observed how I hold the camera and when, and with the great help from this thread imho my problem is a problem of these factors, I am confident it can be fixed:

1. Wrong left hand position when holding the lens & too little support from the left arm. Unfortunately, this really only works when holding the lens standing, is awkward when lying on the ground and not working at all when doing something else with your left hand (like supporting yourself or holding a flash which I often do).

2. Holding the camera only in the right hand when walking or not shooting, I need to put it in the other hand as often as possible and/or use a strap to lighten the load on the fingers

3. Unbalanced, heavier equipment: My problems only arose after buying a heavy lens and a large flash with flash bracket that puts more downward and rotational stress on my hand, at and the same time the hand strap didn't fit anymore worsening the problem - so at least need to get the hand strap attached again. With just a 60d+40/2.8 pancake lens it'd be a different story altogether...