SuperFly48 Loc: NE ILLINOIS

Carried a Nikon D7100 with 18-200 VR DX lens for multiple trips to AZ, OR and WA...at altitudes over 7000 feet, did not bother me and I am 70 years young. However, I hit a wall somewhat when I got my D850, then started testing appropriate lenses on it. Just returned a Tamron 24-70 G2 because I was not completely satisfied with the images AND the darn thing looked and felt like a can of Aussie Foster's hanging off the front of the D850. Have decided to go the prime route with my D850 instead.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

True to my point. Justification is always easy. And once you've justified it in your mind, the purchase is easy.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

Some of us, younger hike several miles up steep slopes and over rocks for landscape shooting. My camera kit of a d610 and four lenses was too heavy for my hiking so I sold my Nikon kit and went mirrorless to Fuji. Now my hiking days are lighter and easier and my photos have not suffered at all.

Mavrek Loc: Ocala, Florida

Live and let live. Different needs, wants, and points of view are what makes the world go around. It would be a sad and boring place if everyone thought and did the same things. Those who feel the need to be critical and judgmental of others would find life much more pleasant if they would stop pushing against ideas different than their own. They might even learn something new.

dukepresley

Salient points, all. The premise reminds me of the old punch line, "I wouldn't have said that!" I am 75, overweight and a cancer survivor, and I carry a D700 & Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 when I go out and about. Maybe some day, but....

crphoto8 Loc: Anaheim, California

Nope, I disagree. I have a Canon 5D with 3 heavy L lenses and it became too heavy with time and age. Last year I switched to a Olympus E-M1 II with 3 much lighter PRO lenses so I have now a similar system to the Canon. I go on 2-3 weeks trips so at my age, 80, it's important to keep weight down. It has nothing to do with being in shape as I'm physically active, it's just a matter of age creeping up on me.

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

Most of us could use some exercise no doubt. However some of us are also a tad shaky. The heavier the lens, the harder it is to hold without shaking. And exercising doesn't help much with that. Also, the older we get, the more fault we find with things and people.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Not sure how long you walk or in what kind of terrain but good for you if you can handle your camera and lens. I'm 71 and in relatively good shape--gym for an hour and a-half three days a week and walking most other days. When I'm off shooting pictures I generally walk for several hours at a time over rough terrain often for days at a time. Or I spend several hours walking in the zoo, the park, the beach or safari park on other photo days. Then I carry my d7100 and Tamron 18-400 over my shoulder which allows me the best way to stabilize my camera when shooting. Maybe you have super joints or do really heavy lifting but I find that the uneven weight causes significant hip pain by the end of the day and into the next day--it's the repetitive strain on my body and joints not my ability to lift stuff that gets to me. I'm not ready to give up yet but I am watching the evolution of lighter cameras and lenses and will probably switch some day for one reason or another.

Photography isn't a physical fitness endeavor it is a very artistic and technical hobby or profession and people should be able to use the equipment that best fits their needs without a Charles Atlas course (though I admit there are other good reasons for reasonable physical fitness).

woodsliv Loc: Tehachapi,CA

I'm 67, Had my right shoulder rebuilt last June and just yesterday a got an epidoral shot in my C6 area of my neck and I am fused at L5,S1. I right now I am using a D5100 with various lenses, the heaviest being a Sigma 150-500 at 6.5 lbs. i'm waiting on the big brown truck to deliver a refurbished D-7200 I got from the Nikon store. I should be doing more exercise, but I get lazy. The weight is an issue, but being retired, my cameras keep me going. I guess when it get to much for me I will go smaller, and lighter.

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

This thread reminds me of this large turd who worked at a local archery shop. "If you ain't pulling 70 lbs on a bow you ain't a man." I see he has many cuzins (sic) here.

syscosteve

Good for you. My wife would divorce me if I carried all that stuff around. I like to take my camera and lenses wherever I go even if its a trip to the city. Never know what one might miss, and it's always a source of arguments. I traded my 7D Canon and some L series glass for a canon M50. I am 71, and I do admit my gear was getting heavy for me and I consider myself in good shape. Just having bought the M50 it remains to be seen if I still get any flak from my wife. I guess her major complaint besides her belief that i'll hurt myself lugging my 7 D gear is that she feels alone when I am stopping every moment to take a picture. Unfortunately I can't get her interested in carrying her own camera. She happens to be very artistic and has a great eye for details. Such is life.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I'm 68, soon to be 69 but I have COPD among other issues like CAD (getting lumbar ablation soon too). That said, I have both mirrorless and DSLR's what I take depends on what I'm doing. Still debating the body (DX or FX) and lens choices for a trip to Yellowstone later this year. I do do the treadmill 3x a week plus walk my dog several times daily. Weight doesn't bother me yet at this point but I suspect it will eventually. That said, I prefer wrist straps to any other carry method. Oh, and my Spider holster.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

It seems to me that the initiator of this discussion was implying that folks who chose to go to smaller camera systems were wimps or somewhat inferior to him because he was willing to continue to use his chosen system.

Everyone has the right to decide what gear works best for them individually. I think the best intention of UHH is to encourage everyone to enjoy photography. The equipment is secondary to this goal.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

It seems to me that the initiator of this discussion was implying that folks who chose to go to smaller camera systems were wimps or somewhat inferior to him because he was willing to continue to use his chosen system.

Everyone has the right to decide what gear works best for them individually. I think the best intention of UHH is to encourage everyone to enjoy photography. The equipment is secondary to this goal.

dukepresley