Canon 50D too heavy for me. Help!!

My mate told me about the one off course. Should be a big eye opener for me.
 
Went on the course this morning. Very good indeed. Learnt a good bit. Another 2 saturdays to go.

More i use the 50D the more i am getting used to its weight!! At the moment, i am enjoying it quite a bit!!!

I do need to get a zoom lens but want a low f number one. L lenses are expensive but what would you recommend people? Something good for portraits but low f. Do i need a mortgage? lol
 
cam1986 said:
Went on the course this morning. Very good indeed. Learnt a good bit. Another 2 saturdays to go.

More i use the 50D the more i am getting used to its weight!! At the moment, i am enjoying it quite a bit!!!

I do need to get a zoom lens but want a low f number one. L lenses are expensive but what would you recommend people? Something good for portraits but low f. Do i need a mortgage? lol
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If you want a zoom wider than your 50mm prime then the Tamron 17-50 2.8(non VC version) is often whats recommended, very sharp, cheap(around £260 new) and pretty light(430g) for a constant 2.8 lens.
 
With my shakey hand i would need image stabalisation!! Canon IS, low f would probably cost a lot? I would like to get Canon but open to views. 17-55 would be a nice range i guess. Good for portraits?

L lens would be nice but expensive!! Guy at course today had a 70-200!! Very heavy.
 
With IS and f/2.8 you're right, it will cost a lot!

Look at the Canon 17-55 IS and the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 OS.

There is a VC (same as IS) Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 but it's more expensive and supposedly not as good image quality wise than the non VC version.

F/2.8 zooms with IS/IS/VC do tend to be fairly heavy though.
 
cam1986 said:
With my shakey hand i would need image stabalisation!! Canon IS, low f would probably cost a lot? I would like to get Canon but open to views. 17-55 would be a nice range i guess. Good for portraits?

L lens would be nice but expensive!! Guy at course today had a 70-200!! Very heavy.
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There is a stabalised version of the Tamron(each manifacturer has a different name for it, Canon's IS, Tamron's is VC, Sigma's OS etc) for about £330 but its not as sharp at 2.8 as the non stabalised version.

Beyond that your looking at just over £500 for the Sigma 17-50 2.8 OS which is sharper and then over £700 for the Canon 17-55 IS which is sharper still
with slightly more range.
 
Have a try at a Pentax K-r. Just over 500gms and about £480 with 18-55 and 55-200.
 
I will see if anything is in the classifieds if and when i get access. Be nice to have a flexible lens to add to my collection!
 
Oggy said:
Should your predjudices ever break down and you find yourself having to use a brain, clicky. ;)
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Don't confuse the OP with DXO. Many people have issues with how they test equipment.

As for the OP maybe I missed it but I didn't see areply about how you hold it.

Would a wrist grip help balance out the weight?
 
Ive just upgraded from a 550D to the 5D mkII the weight difference to me is not too bad to handle, I did use the 550D with a grip and 70-200f/4 USM lens though.

The 550D is a very capable camrea, mine had 6k actuations on it and just been fitted with a new focus screen and a clean of the sensor. Im currently selling this camera but i really would like to keep it but cant justify 2 cameras.

If you dont mind me asking what kind of arthritis do you have? I have Psoriatic arthritis and seem to be clear now for a year after a lot of tablets and 6 months off work, its such a burden at times.
 
PsiFox said:
Don't confuse the OP with DXO. Many people have issues with how they test equipment...
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I tend to be sceptical about these sites until they are proved. Fact - the sensor on my K20 will comfortably out-perform the 7D's. When what I know to be true backs up their findings then I start to regard them as credible.
 
Sounds like the perfect opportunity to buy a Leica to me... ;)
 
Booked myself on a 30 week photography course starting in 2 weeks!! Part time. Looking forward to it as i need to get to know the basics etc.
 
Oggy said:
I tend to be sceptical about these sites until they are proved. Fact - the sensor on my K20 will comfortably out-perform the 7D's. When what I know to be true backs up their findings then I start to regard them as credible.
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Just because you agree with SXO does not make it a fact. It is still opinion.
 
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cam1986 said:
Booked myself on a 30 week photography course starting in 2 weeks!! Part time. Looking forward to it as i need to get to know the basics etc.
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Good but any reply yet on the how do you hold it issue?
 
I now have the 1Ds MkII which I found quite heavy when I first got it but now is no real problem.

I still have my 350D as a backup and that nowadays seems incredible light and coupled with the 50mm lens would probably suit you very well.

I used it over 5 years and it turns out excellent pics, so if you get the chance it might be worthwhile looking at that.

And if you wanted a good walkabout lens the 28-135mm IS USM is also a very good lens and not too heavy.

,
 
Update:

Well, took the camera with me for the day yesterday and boy did it give me jip!! I found it taxing on my wrist. Tried all ways to eleviate the pain but to no avail.

So, do i keep the 50D? Is it going to give me more hassle down the line? Not sure what to say. It is very heavy for my bad wrist.

I love the camera but it doesnt love me :'(

My option i suppose is to sell it and buy a 500D. They both have the same sensor etc. Would i miss the faster FPS of the 50D, the Magn body, the big wheel on the back, the top screen? Would not having those cause me to take terrible shots?

My wife says i should sell it and buy a lighter camera (Not 4/3rds). I love Canon and the smaller bodied DSLR's look like the best way forward for me.

550D has been mentioned but i really like the 500D spec. Not fussed about having a bigger MP.

I know i have been over this ground before and i thought i could handle the weight of the 50D but after yesterdays episode i don't think i can.

So, 500D a worthy contender for my needs? I love the 50mm 1.8 i have so i guess that will be great with a 500D? I have decided to use just that lens for the forseable.
 
Well, put the 50D up for sale and now taken it off sale!!

Reason: I love the camera!!!

I am going to try and use it more this coming week and see if i can get round the issues i have with my wrist. I really want to keep it so i am going to give it one more try!

All the xxxD models feel like toys compared the the 50D!! :D

My wife says i would be mad to sell it.
 
Have you ever thought about buying a good wrist support (you know the type you get for wrist/hand injuries or sprains).
It may help support your wrist and game better when holding the camera.
 
cam1986 said:
Update:

My wife says i should sell it and buy a lighter camera
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cam1986 said:
Well, put the 50D up for sale and now taken it off sale!!

Reason: I love the camera!!!

My wife says i would be mad to sell it.
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Looks like your wife is as confused as you are, as to what to do :)

I do think trying it out for a week is a good idea, but don't forget the lenses add extra weight and a lighter body might help with the 50mm1.8, but larger lenses can make the camera feel out of balance - could this cause you more issues with your wrist ???

stupar said:
Have you ever thought about buying a good wrist support (you know the type you get for wrist/hand injuries or sprains).
It may help support your wrist and game better when holding the camera.
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Very good idea, if you phone your local hospital Physiotherapy dept and ask for a little advice, I am sure they will be able to recommend what and where to get one of these.

If you don't get any luck, drop me a PM and I'll ask our dept @ work
 
Richard King said:
or try something like this (there are lots of alternatives)

http://indikit.com/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=457
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:plusone:

Forgot about these :bonk: - my father-in-law has something like this and he finds it a real help as he has a bad shoulder and struggles to hold the camera for periods of time, a little cumbersome at times, but once set makes the world of difference. He can use the camera (and even his old 300mm Leica Prime lens) for long periods without any issues.
 
Thats a thought, a bigger zoom will cause more issues for me!!

Back to suare one i guess. Maybe i would be better off selling it rather than hanging onto it and hoping things will get better
 
cam1986 said:
Thats a thought, a bigger zoom will cause more issues for me!!

Back to suare one i guess. Maybe i would be better off selling it rather than hanging onto it and hoping things will get better
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We said this a while ago though! My sigma 70-200 f/2.8 weighs more than the body itself, add the two together and you're looking at almost 2 kilos!

But with that sort of setup a monopod would help you considerably, there are ways around the weight problems so don't give up hope! In fact a monopod would help you in a lot of situations if weight continues to be a problem.
 
odd jim said:
We said this a while ago though! My sigma 70-200 f/2.8 weighs more than the body itself, add the two together and you're looking at almost 2 kilos! But with that sort of setup a monopod would help you considerably, there are ways around the weight problems so don't give up hope! In fact a monopod would help you in a lot of situations if weight continues to be a problem.
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Ok, cheers
 
It was just a thought - there must be a simple practicable answer to this one
 
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