gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

It seems that lots of folks like to quibble over the difference in weight, in a few ounces here and there, between this lens and that in an effort to lighten their load. It’s a matter of dedication, I guess. I see a lot of wildlife pros lugging very heavy video gear or DSLR's with cannon sized telephotos across the landscape. Quality gear should be the priority, not an insignificant difference in weight. I give a concession to those who have a physical constraint but that’s it. In a sense, heavier gear has a higher inertia, requiring more energy to make it move or even vibrate. I like the heft of my D7200 when I hoist it up and anchor it to my face.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

I suspect this is really an "each to their own" discussion point gvarner. Some folks like a VW Bug whilst others a Corvette and others an SUV/pick-up truck. While none are perfect at everything, each do the job, just a little differently. I am happy you enjoy your gear, because that is truly the issue isn't it?

Cheers!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Life as a photographer is either a daring adventure or just a cropped-sensor body.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I have one rig that's heavy. But it is my best lens and my best camera. I find that I can actually hand hold something heavy more easily than I can something light. So I don't get as much camera shake with it as with my lighter set-up. However, I can't do it for very long any more. So, if I'm going to be out all day, I tend to take the lighter stuff. It's a decision I have to make on nearly every shoot.

sabfish

The weight of a D7200 (I had a D7100) does not compare to the weight of bodies carried by most pros. I am in my 70's and like to travel, but I found the weight of my Nikon and lenses was getting to be too much for walking all day. My back and shoulder were really sore at the end of the day. In my youth, the weight never bothered me. I got a Fuji X-T30 and find it easier to carry and I still have the same size sensor I had on the Nikon.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I carry a D7200 with MB-D15 and two batteries plus an 80-200 2.8 AF-D and turn 63 in a few days.

It is lighter than my last film body, an F4s, but it feels heavier than I remember the F4s with the same lens feeling 25 years ago.

The best advice I can give is to get the best gear you can afford and can carry ... it can help you get in/stay on shape ... and if you can afford it get a lighter walk around gear set.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Weight is not only a personal preference, but there are other considerations that can make slight differences in weight a critical decision. For example, when I was a Scoutmaster over 20-years ago, our troup took a 50-mile week-long hikes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Our backpacks were very heavy because of the amount of food and equipment required in the rugged high altitude terrain. Each person had a physical limit on the amount of weight they could carry without slowing the whole group. In order to get down to or below that limit, everything had to be weighed and every ounce counted. Weight was cut wherever possible. For example, toothbrush handles were cut down, changes of clothing including underwear were limited and I found myself paying high premiums for lighter weight equipment to save a few additional ounces, etc. Obviously in those circumstances, you must first choose whether the extra weight of any camera is acceptable. If you choose to take a camera, it must be extremely lite and compact even at the expense of some image quality.

For less weight critical applications, size and weight can be dictated by other considerations. If you are working in a studio or doing field work where top quality of the work product and the ability to make big enlargements is a requirement, size and weight may be a secondary consideration. If you are moving up from a crop frame camera to a full frame DSLR, the additional size and weight may be something to consider. But, in most circumstances it is a matter of personal preference.

mrpentaxk5ii

Sometimes it's not only about the weight but the price that goes along with it, not every one can afford a full frame body with 600mm telephoto and try using a set up like that in a 14 ft kayak, but for that I have a Pentax K5II and a Sigma 120-400mm F 4.5-5.6, I also have a Pentax K3 an K3II that I use for event photography along with a 17-50 F 2.8 Sigma, Pentax 50-135mm F 2.8. Pentax 31mm F 1.8, 55mm F1.4 and a Pentax 77mm F 1.8 along with two flash units. To buy this in a full frame set up would cost a small fortune. This does take into account my travel / hiking set up with a Pentax Kr & Kp with a 12-24mm F-4, Pentax 15mm F 4. Sigma 17-70 F 2.8-4.5 and an Sigma 18-300mm F 3.5-6.3. It did take me about ten years to put all of this together.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Yeah, I'm with you, there is no such thing as a heavy camera, I mean we're talking a few measly pounds here, not several hundred (that's when it gets heavy)!

jcboy3

You should try bicycle racing, if you want to see quibbling over grams. We used to drill holes in our gear to lighten it up. Not practical with most camera gear.

A few ounces here and there can add up to pounds. Some people don't want to "lug" their gear.

When I shot the Alpine World Cup, I had to ski down an advanced ski run to get to my location; did that with 29 lbs of Nikon gear. I usually shoot a lot lighter now.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

My best photos ever were taken with a 4x5 view camera. It was heavy, and the tripod was steel and weighed about 30 pounds. All the gear needed to make photos (film holders, light meter, light-proof cloth, etc., all made for a heavy camera case the size of a small suitcase. I opt for less weight and more convenience these days.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I agree about a few onces here or there. But when an UHHer is talking about the weight of his Nikon 200-500 lens at 5 pounds alone (no body, no tripod, etc.) and my total system (body, dot sight, teleconverter, and lens matching the same angle of view with no need for a tripod) comes in at under 4 pounds, that is not just a few onces we are talking about.

Bill_de Loc: US

The D7200 doesn't have much "heft".

Very nice of you to give concessions ...

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Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Outside of those who have a physical issue that inhibits the use of some equipment, people need to realize that there are only three things that affect image quality. Those are accurate optics, shutter speed, and aperture.
--Bob