20D is heavy and hand is sore!

A grip will make the camera easier to hold, but it won't reduce the weight any... You might want to pick up a light weight collapsible monopod. You can rest the camera on it and take some of the weight off your hands.

I agree about the handstrap...very comfortable. Your fingers aren't gripping tight around the side to hang onto it.

I have to agree with ScottE and PacAce - the cheapest and best way to deal with the problem is to learn to hold the camera differently. Your left hand supports the weight, under the lens/body, and the right hand is used for control only. If you're supporting weight or tensing up the right hand, it's no wonder you have a problem.

I strongly urge you to try this - it's pointless to spend money when there is absolutely no need Take a look at this link:
http://www.camerahobby​.com …ingCamera_Chapt​er5Sub.htm

Cliff, if you get annoyed with handling the 20D for some time, I'd avoid that 1DsMKII you mentioned the other day. Not going to get any lighter coupled with those that heavy quality glass.

Thanks Greg. I purchased the 1DsMKII in addition to two more 20Ds just so I could play with it between weddings and after. I plan on shooting the weddings with the 20Ds as I know them and have worked with them the most. Afterwards, I can get to know the MII. It's VERY heavy w/out lenses (43oz out of the box) but VERY sweet all the same. I have manfrotto tripods for use then filming and it fits nicely on one of those and takes the most awesome pics.

gcogger wrote:
I have to agree with ScottE and PacAce - the cheapest and best way to deal with the problem is to learn to hold the camera differently. Your left hand supports the weight, under the lens/body, and the right hand is used for control only. If you're supporting weight or tensing up the right hand, it's no wonder you have a problem.

I strongly urge you to try this - it's pointless to spend money when there is absolutely no need Take a look at this link:
http://www.camerahobby​.com …ingCamera_Chapt​er5Sub.htm

FINALLY. I can go through dozens of message postings, in this forum and others, regarding hand fatigue and camera shake, without coming across any posts regarding proper camera holding.

If you're just walking around, keep the camera around your neck. When taking a photo, the palm of the left hand supports the camera and the fingers of the left turns lens rings. The right hand as someone else said "goes along for the ride," and is used for some stability and for the shutter. Just before you take the shot you should be able to take away the right hand and the camera sits there. If you hold the camera with the same hand as the finger which presses the shutter, the act of pressing the shutter will move the entire hand. Try it, hold a one pound object in your hand and mimic the pressing of the shutter. Your whole arm will move.

Learn to use the right hand less for holding the camera (while shooting, not just walking with the camera). Use your arms, legs and other supports to keep the camera staedy, and press the shutter with the right.

I think a good analogy is with shooting a rifle. If I'm not mistaken, the rifle is supported by the shoulder and the left arm under the stock, and the trigger is slowly squeezed by the right finger. If you supported the rifle with the same hand you squeezed the trigger with, you'd never shoot straight. Same for cameras, especially with long lenses.

Heavy ?? Try this for half a day (and the tripod along...) then you know what heavy means (and yes its a 600 f/4 with the hood reversed and the cap on).

Edit, and the ugly guy carrying it its me, of course

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imagine that lens just clips off the body... OHH MANN!!!

what you could do is just go to the gym for a month and that camera, flash, lens will feel totally like air!!

Rob612 wrote:
Edit, and the ugly guy carrying it its me, of course

Haha,

Rob, to me, you look quite sexy with that big hard thing sticking out of your ... camera

Best regards,
Andy

That's why I was using the LENS strap, as you can see the camera strap (edit: of course a POTN strap) is hanging loose... That thing is capable of ripping the 1D2N body lens mount like paper, I'm afraid.

better do those wrist exercise....LOL

That all depends on the type of shooting, many times I hand hold my flash off camera (via off camera TTL cord) with my left hand and the 20D in my right. I do this mostly for dances to create moody lighting, but bottom line, my hand, forearm, and shoulder are killing me by the end of the night.

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my 5d with grip and two batterys feels like a well balanced sword with a 24-70 attched...still weight almost 2 kgs..