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Easy way to carry a camera as we age
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Jan 14, 2017 11:50:17   #
SonyBug
 
Yeah, I used to carry my kids around like that when they were little. The football carry I called it.

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Jan 14, 2017 11:50:49   #
leftj Loc: Texas
 
JBruce wrote:
I have been reading many posts of late expressing concern over whether one should sell their APS-C or FF kit and then buy some other, smaller size equipment. If that is your choice, fine; but there is another, FREE, option you might first consider. My wife came up with this when she became the new "owner" of my new Canon 70-300L lens. It was somewhat heavier than the 55-250 she'd been using, so required a new carrying approach. I guess this was a natural for her as that's how she carries her heavy purse when in a crowded area. I now use this carry option as well, at least part of the time, with most lens/camera combinations.
This past spring we spent a week in the 4-corners states and I (at 78) carried my 5d Mk III with my 100-400L Mk II with no neck problems. Of course you still use the neck strap (Optech) for safety and occasional hanging around the neck when changing lenses, etc. We walked a lot and I felt no discomfort at all. It appears to me that it's not how far you walk, it's how you carry the rig.

Give it a try, you may extend the life span of your current gear until you're a basket case and no longer need any gear! That's my plan; actually I just bought a new (refurb) 80d, and it's no lightweight either.

John
I have been reading many posts of late expressing ... (show quote)


Would be nice if you ever got around to explaining the carrying method you're talking about.

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Jan 14, 2017 11:51:56   #
leftj Loc: Texas
 
JBruce wrote:
Look at the photo again. Simply hold the camera on your forearm; that's the option which costs nothing at all, and certainly does work for me. This method is less hassle than using my cotton carrier knock-off as the camera is always ready for instant use, plus the weight is being carried on the arm's major bone structure and not on the more vulnerable neck/shoulder muscles. Aged lives matter. Okay?

John


There is no photo! JEESH!!!!

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Jan 14, 2017 11:53:24   #
leftj Loc: Texas
 
JBruce wrote:
Sorry Hoggers, when I go back and look at my post, it appears as if the photo did not attach. I will try again and repost with the photo this time.

I have been reading many posts of late expressing concern over whether one should sell their APS-C or FF kit and then buy some other, smaller size equipment. If that is your choice, fine; but there is another, FREE, option you might first consider. My wife came up with this when she became the new "owner" of my new Canon 70-300L lens. It was somewhat heavier than the 55-250 she'd been using, so required a new carrying approach. I guess this was a natural for her as that's how she carries her heavy purse when in a crowded area. I now use this carry option as well, at least part of the time, with most lens/camera combinations.
This past spring we spent a week in the 4-corners states and I (at 78) carried my 5d Mk III with my 100-400L Mk II with no neck problems. Of course you still use the neck strap (Optech) for safety and occasional hanging around the neck when changing lenses, etc. We walked a lot and I felt no discomfort at all. It appears to me that it's not how far you walk, it's how you carry the rig.

Give it a try, you may extend the life span of your current gear until you're a basket case and no longer need any gear! That's my plan; actually I just bought a new (refurb) 80d, and it's no lightweight either.

John
Sorry Hoggers, when I go back and look at my post,... (show quote)


Totally lame! Who want's to walk around with their arm in this position for hours at a time?

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Jan 14, 2017 11:57:25   #
Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb
 
Take the camera in the hand grip and walk normal the the camera at you side normal arm position.

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Jan 14, 2017 12:14:27   #
OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR
 
leftj wrote:
Would be nice if you ever got around to explaining the carrying method you're talking about.

Look at previous posts.

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Jan 14, 2017 12:15:28   #
OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR
 
leftj wrote:
There is no photo! JEESH!!!!

LOOK AT PREVIOUS Posts!

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Jan 14, 2017 12:22:39   #
OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR
 
leftj wrote:
Totally lame! Who want's to walk around with their arm in this position for hours at a time?

Well, me for one. I've tried various straps, holsters, pouches, bags, packs, etc., but prefer the freedom of using a wrist strap with a long lens and leaving the rest behind. This carry is non-tiring and keeps the load near my center of gravity. Pretty lame to be so critical of something so simple that you obviously have not tried.

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Jan 14, 2017 12:29:27   #
soli Loc: London, UK.
 
I will give you my way. Adjust your strap so that you can drape it round your shoulder. This way you can carry it all day and what's more it is ready there for action.

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Jan 14, 2017 13:24:51   #
JBruce Loc: Northern MN
 
OddJobber wrote:
Well, me for one. I've tried various straps, holsters, pouches, bags, packs, etc., but prefer the freedom of using a wrist strap with a long lens and leaving the rest behind. This carry is non-tiring and keeps the load near my center of gravity. Pretty lame to be so critical of something so simple that you obviously have not tried.


Thanx OddJobber for your support! Yeah, the confusion was my fault for failing to properly post the pic in the first post, and for that I apologize. But I sure don't apologize for the potential help this thread may have provided for those readers who have issues with their cervical vertebrae, and who would still like to carry their heavy camera/lens combos in a practical, painless, ready-for-instant-use way. Like I said, it does work for me, and it's FREE, and that is the bottom line.
Additionally, I guess that it does make good sense for folks to read complete posts from beginning to end before chiming in with their comments-so often they say the same thing that others have already said. Thanks again to all for your helpful inputs, some of the comments may help other suffering souls. Nuff said by me, bye-bye! JBruce

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Jan 14, 2017 13:31:23   #
wesm Loc: Los Altos CA
 
JBruce wrote:
I have been reading many posts of late expressing concern over whether one should sell their APS-C or FF kit and then buy some other, smaller size equipment...
John


I use the Cotton carrier, the only issue is perspiration on a hot day.

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Jan 14, 2017 13:49:03   #
leftj Loc: Texas
 
OddJobber wrote:
Look at previous posts.


There were no previous posts with a picture when I wrote this.

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Jan 14, 2017 14:14:28   #
charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.
 
Now, I'm sure this will start real number of criticisms.
I removed the strap that came with my Sony a99 and replaced it with a soft 2 inch wide strap.
My wife did the same. (we both have a99's)
We have been to Florida, 2 Caribbean Cruises, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Slovakia. Check Republic, Hungary, and Germany and never once did we have any problems with weight.
I'm sorry that Sony did what they did with their change.
If I want to buy one of their cameras now it will require me to buy all new lenses. (or)
I would now have to go to their a99 II @ around $3,000+ to have a chance to improve my photos with an upgrade & keep my lenses I have bought.
Hey I'm 77 and weight has never been a problem for me.

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Jan 14, 2017 14:26:15   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
I use the vest option. It distributes the weight over the center of your body and allows you to carry a walking stick. I suppose if you hike on flat surfaces, the OP approach is fine. However when your trek requires both hands for pushing branches aside and using a branch for balance over steep terrain, you don't want anything swinging in front of you. But, hey, whatever works, is fine. It just doesn't work for me. The other thing I would recommend: light weight training. It benefits most of us as we age-- and just to stem an argument: I have impingements in both shoulders, so no "weak" excuses allowed. :)

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Jan 14, 2017 14:36:02   #
treadwl Loc: South Florida
 
Yesterday I passed an 85 year old woman walking with a Nikon full Frame camera and a 600mm lens with tripod. She had the entire rig riding in a baby stroller which she was pushing. The stroller has BIG wheels and seems to roll effortlessly.

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