out of shape photogs (Page 8): My weight reduction comes in the form of primes but I still make a point of lifting weights. I use heavy bodies like a gripped 5D3 and a 1D4 and I really...

Haydon

My weight reduction comes in the form of primes but I still make a point of lifting weights. I use heavy bodies like a gripped 5D3 and a 1D4 and I really see little benefit at this time to think a few ounces is going to make a big difference. I do understand ailments. My shoulder was broken in two places several years ago and have chronic emphysema but I still manage using a 500 F4. To each their own justification/GAS attacks. The only person I judge is my own behavior and not others.

leftj Loc: Texas

Fotoartist wrote:

You've got to suffer for your art. All the artist's did and I don't recall them whining.

Ah yes. The poor artist.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

drklrd wrote:

I keep hearing about how everyone thinks their cam... (show quote)

drklrd, in one respect you are right. Most of us now have a little extra weight. It is hard when one is 67 years old, working 16/18 hours six days a week, and 8 to 12 hours on Saturday, to keep the weight off. But that not the main reason for having gone mirrorless for me. Cost and size are the main reason for my going mirrorless. I will be able to travel with a camera system of 14mm to 300mm (35mm angle of view) at f2.8 plus 1.4 teleconverter, flash, batteries, and filters. And this system will not only carry-on but carry-on as the smaller personal carry-on size leaving the larger carry-on for other items. How much cost or fees for personal carry-on? Zero! Size wise the camera system sits at my feet and I still have room to move my feet! This system will also allow me to leave the tripod at home if necessary and still handhold up to 5 seconds. I can shoot in the rain with no required extra gear. And all this is less than $6000 in total cost. This same system in APS-C or FF would be more than $10K, cost $50 extra each leg of an airline trip, definitely would not fit under the seat, and would require a tripod for most travels.

So as one can see, sometimes it merely comes down to size and cost rather than weight.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

It is: KISS that would be my direction of thinking.
You don't use a sledgehammer to nail down a finishing nail, right?
Just as you don't always need to take an amphibian vehicle to buy some food?

I wouldn't carry my 600mm telephoto lens for several miles with some 1000 feet elevation gain, guessing that I will probably take - if any - only one to two pictures?
However, it is not just the weight of the camera. How about the lenses and the accessories?

How do you like to change lenses outdoors on a windy or snowy day, or on a crowded plaza with strangers around you very close? How many pictures have you missed because the light has changed and you didn't have the right lens on at the time?
How many prints 24"x36" or larger do you make?
That is the thinking you can try before any of your photography trips.

As we know, there are pretty good bridge cameras on the market today offering 700mm zooms or larger. Lighter than their DSLR flagship sisters, working with them there is no time consuming lens changing, but still, when conditions allow cameras can use polarizing and graduated neutral density filters - and because of their weight, could be used even on the lightweight, easy to carry tripods.
Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Health conditions might slow you down, but will not stop you from taking pictures.

crphoto8 Loc: Anaheim, California

Well, I'll be one of the very few that disagrees with you!

I'm 79 years old, not overweight AND in shape. I work out regularly - 17 days in February alone either in the gym or hiking on trails, between 1.5 to 2 hours every time.
BUT I travel (5 times last year) and have noticed that the weight of my backpack with a Canon 5D, 3 L lenses, flash and other assorted equipment is getting heavier with time. I switched from a neck strap to a shoulder one and this helped but I know that eventually I'll have to reduce that weight. A much lighter mirror-less system may be the way to go.

drklrd wrote:

I keep hearing about how everyone thinks their cam... (show quote)

10MPlayer Loc: California

I agree and disagree. I have arthritis in my low back that isn't going away in this lifetime. I just have to deal with it. But I go to my yoga class three days a week and try to play golf or do some yard work two other days a week. It keeps the muscles strong and the joints gain a little flexibility. I can carry a camera and gear around for a couple of hours but then my back starts screaming at me and eventually the pain takes most of my attention. I have to plan whatever I do in 2-3 hour increments with breaks in between. Lighter equipment or carrying only the equipment I know I'll need is one way of maximizing what I can do while the pain is bearable. It's no fun getting old. My back problems started when I was only 29 and at 65 they're not getting better. The mild workout plan I have works for me.

As an ex-Marine I get where you're coming from. That mental toughness and never-give-up attitude gets built into you early in boot camp and never leaves. Or maybe guys who join Marines tend to have that attitude from their genetics. It would make an interesting study.

ltouchstone Loc: Maryville, Tn.

But... but... I thought round was a shape! :)

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

Sir, I think you are right that everyone will benefit from some level of exercise. However, that is also different for everyone. I would also add the opinion that pain is an indicator of something not being right in the body. "just shouldering through the pain" my seem right for you but it could also mean extreme limitations for you in the future.

In my case, due to a severe shoulder injury, while cycling, led to a shoulder replacement and a limited range of motion of about 50% of normal range of motion. After using my FF Canon gear for a year, including a 300 f2.8 L lens, I decided to move to an Olympus MFT System. I can now spend far more time in the field taking photos and having a great time.

Shoulder on Marine, but also have some empathy for other situations or personal choices.

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

Linda From Maine wrote:

Seriously? You'd think by age 67 you'd have met at least one person who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis or Parkinson's or balance issues (such as caused by inner ear injury) or another disease/affliction that has nothing to do with weight and exercise.

Surely, as a professional photographer, you have more to offer this forum.

Thank you Linda, for a reasonable and intelligent reply to this post.

marki3rd Loc: Columbus, Indiana

Linda From Maine wrote:

Seriously? You'd think by age 67 you'd have met at least one person who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis or Parkinson's or balance issues (such as caused by inner ear injury) or another disease/affliction that has nothing to do with weight and exercise.

Surely, as a professional photographer, you have more to offer this forum.

If a person has specific health issues, that is of coarse an overriding issue, but other than that, what the OP said is good advice that any doctor would agree with.

GWolf Loc: Ashland, OR

You sound rather full of yourself.

Dickwood33 Loc: Alberta, Canada

You are eminently qualified to comment as you have on your experience and offer your opinion to people who have reached your age of 67. There are still a few of us who have experience beyond you into the 70s and even into the 80s that know the toll these years can take. Yes exercise as now allowed by my doctor does me much good and doed lets me continue to practice with much enjoyment my favourite hobby, however my D7100 with a 100-500 is just too much, so please permit me to carry on with my plan to downsize and not feel embarrassed. Do feel free to reply when you have reached 84, God willing of course.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Well here I am, and will be 87 in a few weeks. I guess Im one of the lucky ones. I don't seem to have any of those pains that you all complain of. I can carry my gear around all day. I do keep my 150 - 600 lens mounted on the tripod in the back seat of my car. I don't carry that brute around. I never exercised in my life. My son is 63 and says he cant keep up with me. My grandfather was 101 when he died. Two and a half years ago the Dr's gave me five weeks to live. Cancer, I do believe in prayer and there were a lot of people praying for me. My X rays and scans now show no more cancer. I wish you all could have the same results. Ive lived a very full and happy life and hope you all can have the same. When my time comes im ready to go.--- As a side note I wonder what will happen to the hot dog when the roll is called up up younder??

Hbuk66 Loc: Oswego, NY

The simple solution is to not use the 400mm lens...

Dan De Lion Loc: Montana

drklrd wrote:

I keep hearing about how everyone thinks their cam... (show quote)

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I agree!

I’d add to your list of exercise, diet, and fads: carry less equipment and learn to work with what you have, avoid advice from photographic equipment collectors who mainly look at their nice cameras, and for Nikon users – definitely stay away from the HEAVY trinity.

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