RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

All I can say is this let me be FRANK a lot of these old FARTS on this site i believe just like to complain, I'm old (fart) to and I carry my DSLR and lenses and things I'll need and don't complain. Those of you who do like I do more power too us. I've been a photographer for more than fifty years I just love it.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Try a Nikon D800 and 200-500 and you'll get the idea. I just lugged mine around Africa for two weeks. While delighted with the images I won't do it again. My shoulder still aches from the strain.

And it was mostly sitting in my lap in a Safari truck.

MtnMan Loc: ID

My wfe and I have a similar deal. I make the money and she spends it. Worked for 49 years so far.

Fortunately she agrees that photography equipment, trucks, atvs, and camping gear are great investments.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

So we take the most advanced DSLR with 16-35, 20-85, 70-200, 105-300 and a 500mm lens. Add a tripod and perhaps a flash gun. Try to fit it in a backpack - with tent, sleeping bag, stove, fuel, clothing and the food.
Then we bushwhack off the trail for four miles with the elevation gain of twenty five hundred feet (plus), miss about six good images on the way up (because we didn't have time to get our gear ready in changing light) take a few so-so pictures instead (because the weather in the afternoon and following days has changed) and in three days come back home -
to make a few 8x10 prints.
How many larger prints we make?
I tend to think, that a bridge camera (let us say with 24-700mm zoom) always ready on the chest would do a better job?
Again, it looks like the right tool for the job is the clue?
(By the way I still love my 4x5, 6x7 and 645 cameras and lenses)

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

I am 75, and have a 3# 6oz D7200 or D7000 with an 18-200 VR lens and I am fine with it. The D7000 with that lens has been all over Kauai, Italy, and Irland with NO issues, (and carried all day long).
I also have a Tamrac Velocity 8 sling pack with both cameras, an additional 70-300 VR, two SB 700s hanging on the outside plus batteries, filters, water bottle, etc.
I also workout one or two times per week.
When I get old, maybe I will downsize.

Duane

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Amen Duane.

stan0301 Loc: Colorado

The lighter a camera is the more easily it is to "not hold it steady" when you take a picture--camera mass within reason helps you hold your camera steady
Stan

wotsmith Loc: Nashville TN

Amen Brother, I have never heard so much bitching about camera weight till I started looking at this website. I am 75 with70 Y/o wife, and we carry what we need to get the photographs we like. I did buy my wife the best fuji and a set of lenses because carrying a Canon 5Dmk3 "hurts my neck" the next comment was about the Fuji, "this does not focus fast enough", so sold the Fuji and now she is back to the 5Dmk3 usually with 24-105, but commonly the 300mm f2.8 and no more bitching. I carry a 1DX with a variety of lenses, none small, and I somehow get through the day. My problem was that I did not know I was supposed to complain about camera weight. We get the photos that we want, win some big contests, and plan the next photo op trip.
I wonder if the complaints come from people who read the specs and never actually carry stuff. I forgot to mention the back pack with at least 2 more lenses, lunch, etc. that we take turns carrying. Even with the 1DX and a 600mm f4.o the total weight is about 15 - 16 lbs; I bet a lot of women carry purses that weigh that much. My advise is try carrying what ever it takes to get the results that you want. My physician says if you start doing less and less, then suddenly that is the max you can do. I am old, overweight, and not in great shape, but I ain't quitting what I can do, even if that makes get tired and breath heavy. It is normal to be tired at the end of the day.

Brian in Whitby Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada

I agree; cameras and lenses are not that heavy. Even when I have my Sigma 150-500 mm lense on my camera the combined weight is only 7.5 pounds, about the same as my shotgun which I used to carry for miles over rough terrain.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

Camera Weight with lens issue seems to be a hot potatoe on this forum ...., the whole idea of photography is to get out and capture images ... Nature .., landscape .., portraits .., indoors/ outdoors .., etc. It's a hobby .. It's a business ... It's my job ..., I just need it for my vacation .. Or daughters graduation etc ...

We humans here on Earth are as varied as the cameras we carry and our ages and related health issues are varied as well .., but most of us love photography ..,
Some can afford expensive equipment and others can't ..., some want a point and shoot for the vacation and others want the vacation to be all about the photography with the vacation itself being secondary ...

Our ages range from 7 -97 .., we carry what we carry out of want .., need .., and sometimes just to show off .., who cares ...what a blast just getting out and taking pictures ...
I have spent about $20,000 so far .., and I run into others that blow that away ...and still others that spent $100..,my equipment is heavy as I always try to take everything .. At 71 .., I still love it and get all excited with every trip ... My back aches and my knees are killing me .., but I wouldn't trade it for anything ..,

There is no set formula for what you Must carry .. It is up to each individual to do what he pleases ..., big small.., DLSR .., point and shoot .. 4x4 .., but we are all photographers with various levels of expertise and budgets ... Heck my brother has been on Kauai for a week now and has been afraid to pull out his 7100 even once as his wife will have a fit that the vacation is about his photography and not H E R. Vacation ... He is using his Samsung phone and Tablet like his wife ..., but hey ... That's his gig and his loss .. But each of us do our own thing ...for various reasons .. Who's right .., who's wrong ...?

I'm glad all,of us here on this forum are here to share .., compare ..ask questions .. Learn a little .. Make dumb statements .. Embarrass ourselves .. Show our best work and sometimes our worst ....., BUT WE ARE ALL HERE Because of photography ..., isn't that what it is all about ... How cool is that ...

Now go out and have fun with your camera equip big and small ....

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

(63 here)

Pilot 6 Loc: Eugene, OR

Good for you Charles. However, don't be too smug about your ease of toting gear: you're both youngsters and unaware of what's down the road.
Bob

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

Good attitude !