24-70L....my hand/wrist are killing me!

[xandria]

ok, maybe I'm just a weak-wristed girl, but this lens is HEAVY! I love it - - broke down and picked one up today, but my hand and arm are dying after only an hour of playing. Help! What do you do to alleviate the stress from the weight? I really don't want to use a monopod or tripod - - I hate them. Any other suggestions would be great though. Maybe a wrist brace?

[cdifoto]

After awhile you get used to it. Just keep using it, eventually it'll feel natural and a short prime will feel like a lil b1tch lens. :)

[onBit]

The canon hand strap "E1" is quite nice taking some "grip" pressure off your hand.

There is another company "Hakuba" which has a handstrap with wrist support that also converts to a shoulder strap.

If I did not have the E1 already I would have opted for the Hakuba since the padding is thicker.

[liza]

Work out with 3lb. weights and build the musculature in your arms and wrists. I use the 10D and 20D instead, but you get the picture. :)

[xandria]

teehee CDI - - I just took off the nifty to put the new L on - - and it did feel like a lil b1tch lens in comparison! That was my first thought was that when I use the primes, it will feel like i'm using a feather weight instead of the "big guns".

[xandria]

Liza, I figure this is the workout lens for the 70-200L that I plan to pick up this year too. Do you think a 5d in each hand would work instead of the 3lb weights? ;)

[xandria]

The canon hand strap "E1" is quite nice taking some "grip" pressure off your hand.

There is another company "Hakuba" which has a handstrap with wrist support that also converts to a shoulder strap.

If I did not have the E1 already I would have opted for the Hakuba since the padding is thicker.

I'll have to look into the Hakuba. Some extra support would be very helpful. Thanks for the tip!

[EOS mE]

The canon hand strap "E1" is quite nice taking some "grip" pressure off your hand.

There is another company "Hakuba" which has a handstrap with wrist support that also converts to a shoulder strap.

If I did not have the E1 already I would have opted for the Hakuba since the padding is thicker.

ditto.. the E1 hand grip is very helpful. now i can walk around with my 17-55 and feels so natural. maybe the 24-70L is much heavier compared to the 17-55, but with the handgrip, it does help a lot. now if only if i can get use to carrying around my 70-200 f2.8L IS. ;)

[EOS mE]

Liza, I figure this is the workout lens for the 70-200L that I plan to pick up this year too. Do you think a 5d in each hand would work instead of the 3lb weights? ;)

yup.. additional 5D on the other hand is much better than a 3lb weight. plus u get double rebates back too.. hehe ;)

[liza]

Liza, I figure this is the workout lens for the 70-200L that I plan to pick up this year too. Do you think a 5d in each hand would work instead of the 3lb weights? ;)

Probably. I just lug around two big DSLR's with long telephoto primes while photographing field sports. Works like a charm.

[xandria]

yup, filling out my double rebate form right now (I also picked up an extra 430ex flash) :)

[xandria]

sooo....10 reps, 3 times each side 5 times a day?

[liza]

At least that much. You'll look like Schwartzenegger in no time. :)

[marian]

digital cameras and lenses are lightweights, compared to the Hasselblads, Lumedyne flashes, power packs and brackets that we lugged in the film days.

And that's not counting a camera bag full of additional camera backs, additional lenses, pro packs of film, with light meters, matte boxes and other gizmos!

All this digital stuff IS a "peice of cake!"

[grego]

One way to work on your wrists is to hold them together and twist. It's hard to explain but it helps.

[GertS]

I like the 24-70L on my 1D Mark II. OK, it's heavy and with the Metz 76-5 bulky too, but the results are great.
Don't go for the 28-300LIS, that's about the weight of a 5D and 24-70L. :lol:

[jaykkub]

I love this lens (my favorite!), but it is a bit of a fatty. This combo is killer... 1d mkIIN + 24-70L + 580EX. But the more you use it the lighter it feels.

[xandria]

Thanks all. Just did a two hour family/infant shoot yesterday and it was no problem! I didn't even notice the weight. We'll have to see how I feel after doing a full wedding.....

I absolutely love this lens!

[xandria]

One way to work on your wrists is to hold them together and twist. It's hard to explain but it helps.
huh? I tried doing this but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right.....(i look like an idiot). Oh well, if it helps it's worth it :)

[grego]

huh? I tried doing this but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right.....(i look like an idiot). Oh well, if it helps it's worth it :)

Let's see. I'll try to explain it again, because I know my first time wasn't that good.

So put your hands(palms touching eachother) together(with fingers crossing so your hand is like a ball). Then rotate both hands together. I learned some of this in some gym classes I took. I found it useful for when i used to type a lot of when i do.

Hope it helps you.

[Croasdail]

I think I understand what greg is saying here and agree with him. I use the old school approach. If you keep your elbows in tight to your body, particularly your left arm, so that your forearm almost raising vertical up to the base of the lens and body. This way you can actually just kind of lock your are into your chest and you will not notice the weight at all. It is much more stable. This should enable you to take shots down to 1/20 or 1/10th. With good breathing technique, you can take some pretty darn low shutter speeds and almost never get tired. I see a lot of photographers with their support arm out away from the body which lends itself to more wiggly images. It looks goofy, but it works. At least that is how I was taught and has worked for me.

[deadpass]

it's nickname isn't "the brick" for nothing.

[strmrdr]

twisting a towel like your wringing water out of it is a great wrist exercise. 20x twists then 30 second break then repeat coninue for 5min.
then work the fingers squeezing a tennis ball.
10 palm up, 10 palm down, 10 sideways. repeat 3x
4x a day.

My physical therapist had me doing them building up for my surgery.

in my bad arm grip strenth went from 80 to 140 in 3 weeks.
In my good arm went from 120 to 150 in the same time.

[Wilt]

digital cameras and lenses are lightweights, compared to the Hasselblads, Lumedyne flashes, power packs and brackets that we lugged in the film days.

And that's not counting a camera bag full of additional camera backs, additional lenses, pro packs of film, with light meters, matte boxes and other gizmos!

All this digital stuff IS a "peice of cake!"

Amen! Bronica with 45-90mm zoom, Metz 45, battery pack, and radio slave and bracket...10+ lbs. without all the other lenses and accessories in a case.

On the other hand a 1DsII with 24-70L and Custom Bracket with a 580EX is not exactly a lightweight!

And non-pro users wonder why I warn them about buying a 1DsII and and 24-70L as a hobby camera, pointing out that one day they will have to lug this around all day while walking about with their spouse thru a city on a vacation abroad when no one is paying them to do this!

[SuzyView]

This is a great thread because I had that same reaction when I got my 24-70, but this is what I do:

5D, 24-70L, 580EX with POTN strap cross your body with the strap on your left shoulder instead of your neck. Rest the camera on your left forearm with lens face down. I have terrible wrist issues and this has saved me many times. You'll get used to the weight and you won't have any problems. I have the 20D with grip and 430EX with POTN neckstrap as well and I carry both now at major events and it's a trick not to drop one.

[Grace]

I can't believe most of you didn't offer the best advice... I can't bear to hear of another photographer suffering so. Xandria, you really should mail me that lens. I couldn't stand myself if you kept it and ended up really hurting something. I would have to live with the pain of knowing I could have kept you from suffering and just didn't do anything. Please, I'll send all my info in a pm. Rush delivery. you shouldn't deal with this any longer than you have to.

With photographers love,
Kathy

[song4themoon]

Kathy Kathy, always concerned about others ;)

[NickSimcheck]

You should see my setup, think of a 5D with grip, 70-200 2.8 IS with a Quantum t-5D flash on a flash bracket and a 12" softbox on it. Not only does it look silly, but it weighs the same as some small countrys.

I'm not a small guy and after 30 minutes I'm pretty dang tired.

[picturecrazy]

That darn 24-70 killed me during 10+ hour weddings.
Fine for the first 8 hours... but after that it went downhill fast.

Hope you find a good solution for that. My only solution was to get rid of it.

[xandria]

Thanks for all the advice and excercises. I will have to try everything suggested because I LOVE this lens. It has not come off the 5d body since I took it out of the box. Besides, I have to work up to getting the 70-200 to carry on a second body!


P.S. I'm keeping it, Kathy, nice try ;)

[Canuck]

You should try a 120-300mm F2.8 for fun at an all day airshow, now we're starting to talk...the 24-70 seems like a joke then! :lol: :lol:

[picturecrazy]

Just a bit a caution...there comes a point where your muscles start to give out because you've been using them too much. Just be sure you are able to hold it up for a full 8-12 hours for a wedding! 6 hours straight was a piece of cake for me with that lens. But by the 8th hour it was uncomfortable. By 9 hours, it felt terrible and I couldn't hold it for more than 15 seconds at a time. By the 10th hour, I had strained a ligament and for the following two weeks I couldn't pick anything up, nor write.

Fatigue hits everyone at different times, just be sure you can handle the entire day you've been paid for. And best of luck! Be sure to post to pictures you get with your new lens! Glad you are happy with your purchase!

[xandria]

Thanks for the cautionary note, picturecrazy. Very GOOD advice!

I know myself very well and have learned to listen to what my body is telling me so that I can keep up the stamina during long work days. Most of my weddings are 2-4 hour shoots (total shooting time), with the long, full event days thrown in the mix. I have enough lightweight lenses to balance out the day, when/if needed. And I like to use a lot of different lenses during even a one hour bridal - - so, usually I don't overdo .....usually.

[xandria]

You should try a 120-300mm F2.8 for fun at an all day airshow, now we're starting to talk...the 24-70 seems like a joke then! :lol: :lol:

First thing that came to my mind was neck pain!

(I'd be using a tripod and an angled viewer....sheesh....ALL day airshow..ugh :p )

[mmahoney]

I shoot sports with heavy bodies & lenses and find that if you tuck your holding arm close to your body then much of the weight is transferred through your forearm to your body.
Mike

[tim]

I get sore forearms sometimes. A stretch is to hold your arms straight out in front of you, and make a waving motion with your hand, slowly. Twisting stretches it too. Weight work is necessary, I do a lot of upper body work at the gym (when I bother to go) so I can hold the 70-200 for a whole wedding reception if necessary.

[EOS mE]

Just a bit a caution...there comes a point where your muscles start to give out because you've been using them too much. Just be sure you are able to hold it up for a full 8-12 hours for a wedding! 6 hours straight was a piece of cake for me with that lens. But by the 8th hour it was uncomfortable. By 9 hours, it felt terrible and I couldn't hold it for more than 15 seconds at a time. By the 10th hour, I had strained a ligament and for the following two weeks I couldn't pick anything up, nor write.

Fatigue hits everyone at different times, just be sure you can handle the entire day you've been paid for. And best of luck! Be sure to post to pictures you get with your new lens! Glad you are happy with your purchase!

yup.. i agree. i'm starting to see why some photogs don't use the batt grip. during my last wedding, there was another photog/guest there shooting with two rebels. none of which had batt grip. and here i am with my 17-55 or 70-200 on the 30D + batt grip. by the 10th hour.. my right arm felt like rubber, then after 12 hrs.. i went home excited to see the photos but went to bed instead. next morning.. i could barely pick up my camera.

i need more excercise. perhaps we should start a sticky on some weight training excercise?

[Wilt]

i need more excercise. perhaps we should start a sticky on some weight training excercise?

Pick up 17-55 + 30D + battery grip + flash and battery pack repeatedly, and hold firmly in your hands. Repeat for 8 hours. After three days of this, increase to 9 hours; three more days, then 10 hours, ....increase until you reach 12 hours. Pause for the weekend to rest. Then remove 17-55 and replace with 70-200 f/2.8, and repeat entire sequence until at the end of the second week you can carry everything for 12 hours without forearms turning to Jello and aching severely.

(signed) Your personal trainer

[SuzyView]

Maybe I should market dumbbells that are shaped like Canon 1 series cameras for exercise! I bet it would sell big here. :)

[Eoseni]

You know how some cars now can paralel park themselves? Well maybe one day we'll get canon gear to float around our heads and eyes.And all we do is creatively compose. That would be nice.

[xandria]

You know how some cars now can paralel park themselves? Well maybe one day we'll get canon gear to float around our heads and eyes.And all we do is creatively compose. That would be nice.
Weird! I actually had a dream about that last night.....it was kind of like that movie where tom cruise wave's his hand in the air and can see criminals on a screen.....anyway, it would be nice if the "big boy" lenses were at the very least the weight of the nifty fifty - - someday I think it will happen. Technology is always improving.

[xandria]

Maybe I should market dumbbells that are shaped like Canon 1 series cameras for exercise! I bet it would sell big here. :)
:lol: I would buy those! I want a "white lens" key chain - saw a picture of a clay lens on someone's avatar - looked like a key chain and now I want one.

[EOS mE]

Pick up 17-55 + 30D + battery grip + flash and battery pack repeatedly, and hold firmly in your hands. Repeat for 8 hours. After three days of this, increase to 9 hours; three more days, then 10 hours, ....increase until you reach 12 hours. Pause for the weekend to rest. Then remove 17-55 and replace with 70-200 f/2.8, and repeat entire sequence until at the end of the second week you can carry everything for 12 hours without forearms turning to Jello and aching severely.

(signed) Your personal trainer

thanks Wilt... i guess practice makes perfect.. hehe :lol:

[EOS mE]

You know how some cars now can paralel park themselves? Well maybe one day we'll get canon gear to float around our heads and eyes.And all we do is creatively compose. That would be nice.

:lol: that would be perfect if that would ever come true. don't forget to add the IS feature to the floating.. ;)

[SuzyView]

:lol: I would buy those! I want a "white lens" key chain - saw a picture of a clay lens on someone's avatar - looked like a key chain and now I want one.

I've got 2 little camera things that are really cute. One is a pencil sharpener that when you press the shutter button, it zooms out. Every kid wants to play with it. But yes, Canon play toys would be a hit here I think! :lol:

[Eoseni]

Let's also hope technology never kills us all by doing everything and putting us out of business. But I don't think that would happen. The human factor cannot be replaced because it's a spiritual thing.

[SuzyView]

I took pictures of the students I teach before the holidays while we were having our parties in school. The kids were all happy and very eager to have me photograph them. After taking around 100 shots, I processed them all this weekend. The human factor is really something you can't replace. I cropped each picture to make the child stand out and adjusted color, etc. When the kids and teachers saw the pictures, they thought they were professionally done up. I told them it took me about 1 minute per shot and 2 minutes to set print and air dry. They were amazed. I agree, the human factor, a spiritual thing. I sure felt that when the kids saw themselves as I see them.