Welcome back to the world of the DSLR

[jonbeeza]

I have just developed a pain in my wrist, and I have been trying to figure out what has caused it. My missus said have you been pushing or pulling anything, not sure what she means by that . She just asked could it be the new camera I got the other day..

Got a baby Nikon DSLR a couple of days ago, and I have been trying my older lenses on it for the last couple of days. Holding the DSLR fitted with a heavy old zoom lens in my right hand for long periods, while twaddling the focus control with my left hand.

Yep, I remember why I got rid of my two other DSLRs now lol

Nope, not getting shut of my new purchase, simply going to keep the 35mm 1.8G on it from now on, after all, that is what I did intend to do anyway

 

[pjm1]

Probably teaching you to suck eggs here... but do try to take as much weight as you can with your left hand under the lens. Left hand under the lens and thumb to the left, ring finger to the right (and pinkie might be able to be used for the little button down there).

On my wrists it's about torque - holding only the grip introduces a lot of torque to the right wrist (i.e. perpendicular to the arm) whereas supporting the lens with the left creates pressure on the hand which is in line with the arm.

At least that's how it works for me, but my lenses aren't that heavy yet

 

[chris malcolm]

I have the same problem. Looks like my right hand will never again be able to hold a big camera with a big lens in the usual camera right hand hold grip again. It hurts to try, and if I go on doing it will hurt for days just to lift a mug of tea. I'm told an operation might fix it, but there's a risk it might make it worse. So I put a brace on my right hand to remind me to avoid the worst kinds of grips and take the entire weight of camera and lens with a monopod held by the left hand. I usually don't bother extending it, just use it as a big comfy handle with a rather good weight bearing grip. It's too heavy to hold it up for long, so then I just tuck the end on the 'pod in my trouser belt. Or even extend it to reach the ground. It has the extra useful advantage of reducing camera shake

I find in fact that it's the specific kind of grip that the camera requires that is the problem. I have no problem carrying and using camera, big lens, and monopod with the right hand if I hold it with the monopod grip. So sometimes if the left arm has got a bit weary of the weight I'll put a radio shutter trigger on the camera, hold the whole thing up with the right hand by the monopod, and use the left hand to fire the radio shutter trigger.

What you must be careful to avoid doing if you have developed grip problems in one hand is to reduce your entire use of that hand and arm. If you do that you lose strength in that hand and arm, and then the problems get worse.

 

[jonbeeza]

Probably teaching you to suck eggs here... but do try to take as much weight as you can with your left hand under the lens. Left hand under the lens and thumb to the left, ring finger to the right (and pinkie might be able to be used for the little button down there).

On my wrists it's about torque - holding only the grip introduces a lot of torque to the right wrist (i.e. perpendicular to the arm) whereas supporting the lens with the left creates pressure on the hand which is in line with the arm.

At least that's how it works for me, but my lenses aren't that heavy yet

I have the same problem. Looks like my right hand will never again be able to hold a big camera with a big lens in the usual camera right hand hold grip again. It hurts to try, and if I go on doing it will hurt for days just to lift a mug of tea. I'm told an operation might fix it, but there's a risk it might make it worse. So I put a brace on my right hand to remind me to avoid the worst kinds of grips and take the entire weight of camera and lens with a monopod held by the left hand. I usually don't bother extending it, just use it as a big comfy handle with a rather good weight bearing grip. It's too heavy to hold it up for long, so then I just tuck the end on the 'pod in my trouser belt. Or even extend it to reach the ground. It has the extra useful advantage of reducing camera shake

I find in fact that it's the specific kind of grip that the camera requires that is the problem. I have no problem carrying and using camera, big lens, and monopod with the right hand if I hold it with the monopod grip. So sometimes if the left arm has got a bit weary of the weight I'll put a radio shutter trigger on the camera, hold the whole thing up with the right hand by the monopod, and use the left hand to fire the radio shutter trigger.

What you must be careful to avoid doing if you have developed grip problems in one hand is to reduce your entire use of that hand and arm. If you do that you lose strength in that hand and arm, and then the problems get worse.

Some good advice and tips ta,
I do have a tripod, no idea why I did not use it . But anyway I think I will stick with the 35mm prime, nice quick and light

 

[Al1944]

I once had the Nikon 18-55 VR II lens. It's very light and my copy gave very good results. Might be worth thinking about if you want the convenience of a zoom. I've just bought myself a D3300 and another Tamron 70-300 VC . I'd forgotten how heavy it was!

AL