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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Tendonitis From Hand-Holding Big Lenses?
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Showing posts 1 - 16 of 16, (reverse)
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 09/09/2007 09:13:09 AM · #1
I've been having some dull aching in my left elbow area for a few weeks. It hasn't been anything big at all, so I haven't been to the doc. Today, after a daylong photo trip that I used my Canon 100-400L and 1.4x extender, my left forearm is in a LOT of pain.

Anyone else have a similar experience?
 09/09/2007 09:18:16 AM · #2
yup, he did micro, after a week safari trip, eased up
after a couple of days.
 09/09/2007 10:11:37 AM · #3
I can't say that I have experienced any pain in my arms to date, and I have both the BIGMA 50-500 and the Canon 70-200 f2.8 USM IS lenses... but I do have a stooped back :O)

Ray
 09/09/2007 10:40:31 AM · #4
The main thing I had noticed prior to this was that the big lens makes my RIGHT hand sore, due to pressure from the weight of the lens and the leverage required to hold it up. I'm not sure how long I'm going to be able to go without using the lens though ;)

Message edited by author 2007-09-09 10:41:04.
 09/09/2007 11:01:26 AM · #5
I think while shooting all day events like Lacrosse and Soccer that I built muscles in my left shoulder due to the "pump action" of the 100-400 lens! It's quite a work out ... both to hold it up (one day I forgot my monopod) and to zoom in and out.

09/09/2007 11:22:04 AM · #6
I have the same thing but it's from carrying other heavy items a not entirely from trucking around heavy lenses. Though lugging around gear made it far more painful, especially my 70-200mm combined with the D200.

I've been using Chan Yat Hings Medicated Oil for a while and it feels much, much better. Some friends suggested that I go to NYC's Chinatown to see an Herbalist or specialist in Chinese medicine and the oil is what they suggested as a first step. After that, some more serious herbal patches/wraps and if that didn't work, Acupuncture.

Try to lay off of it for a while. Switch your camera to your other hand when walking around and try that oil or another like it. I use a little every morning and it's been working for me, so far.

Good Luck!

Message edited by author 2007-09-09 11:23:41.
 09/09/2007 12:28:34 PM · #7
I know it sounds inconvenient, but a monopod would help.
 09/09/2007 12:38:12 PM · #8
Or a Camera Boy.
 09/09/2007 12:43:07 PM · #9
Get a short person to squat in front of you, holding your lens :-D


09/09/2007 12:44:34 PM · #10
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
I know it sounds inconvenient, but a monopod would help.


To be honest, this morning I was more worried that it was something serious like bone cancer or sumthin' :)

For some reason, I never even considered the lens/camera until this morning. But, now that I think about it, the problem is exacerbated by the extender, which fenders AF useless. So I'm having to do all hand-focusing supporting a good bit of weight in an odd position. Definitely not a good combination.

Monopod is now a notch or two higher on the wish list.
 09/09/2007 12:45:55 PM · #11
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Get a short person to squat in front of you, holding your lens :-D


With a flat head so you can put your beer on it.
 09/09/2007 02:08:40 PM · #12
Originally posted by David Ey:
Or a Camera Boy.


Correct term - lens caddy
 09/09/2007 02:49:17 PM · #13
A good monopod is an excellent investment. I use one for about 1/2 of the shots that I get. It allows great freedom of movement, and you can get shots from angles like 8 or 10 ft over a crowd or an object using a wide lens and self timer or remote, that look impossible. It also stabilizes the camera well.
A good quality one is less than 1/8 of the price of a good lens. When shooting telephoto I often screw one of the screw in leg rods into it at the top end, and put that against my shoulder or neck. That allows for free movement for very smooth panning and helps greatly in stabilizing the camera in the horizonal axis when shooting with long lenses. The same trick with the foot hooked in my belt allows for full freedom of movement for shooting fast action. I use a Giottos MM5580 and could not say enough good about it.
 09/09/2007 03:31:33 PM · #14
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Get a short person to squat in front of you, holding your lens :-D


I just raised a short kid so that I wouldn't have to always set up the tripod ;) Becky-Lee
 09/09/2007 04:50:26 PM · #15
I had a similar problem. I had a shoulder injury from something else, and holding the camera, even without a heavy lens, would make it worse. Add a heavy lens to the mix, and well....Ouch.

A monopod really helped, and improved my photography, too. My shoulder is fine now (finally had surgery), but I still use the monopod anytime I'm using a big lens. My shots are much sharper with it.
 09/09/2007 06:37:35 PM · #16
I was hand holding a 100-400 from the back of a wedding and after 30 minutes my left arm joints were killing me. The lens wasn't working well for me, so I switched to a lighter Tamron 28-300 for the rest of the night.
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