Railfan Technology > My Sore Neck........Any Thoughts ?

I have a Very Bad sore neck, after 4 Neck Operations ! 

All, I have to do, Is hang my Digital SLR , around my neck , for even a few hours and I'm in Deep Pain, I was out Memorial Day for the Amtrak Special, 2 days ago, and I'm still hurting bad !  And my Nice Dr at the VA, would be mad, If she knew how many Pain Pills I'm using to carm my pain.

So, Does anyone, know of anything  that I can buy, so I can transfer the weight of the Camera from hanging on my neck, to maybe another method ?  To carry it ?

Thanks a Bunch
From a Vet with a Bad Neck

Tom Hirsch
Cherry Valley, Ca

I switched several years ago to the Black Rapid sling.  Neck problems gone and I've found that a sling is a much more efficient way to carry large, heavy DSLRs when one is on the move.

I've used a camera backpack now for many years. Consider ditching the DSLR and all its lenses for a quality bridge camera. A fraction of the weight. chris uk

I've got the following strap for my binoculars...

Nikon Pro Staff Suspender Harness Binocular Strap B&H # NIBH MFR # 6121

Put that into your google and see what you get. I too have
a sore neck, but no surgeries. This thing really helps!

These days I carry the camera around on the end of a monopod, so
I don't have neck issues with it.

HTH.

John.

It seems to be a personal preference and a habit people get into, I've always carried cameras on my shoulder thinking that the weight and the long lenses should not be hanging around my neck. I've started to use a well designed small backpack that tends to be on one shoulder or on the car floor. My way of taking photos is to approach a setting and move around a little to uncover angles and give a little thought to the subject, having a camera at the ready around the neck just doesn't work into that idea. The camera is being used or it's stowed for protection.
$0.02

Get a hand strap.  B&H & Adorama have numerous brands.  And get a 4/3 mirrorless camera and a couple of primes. That will work.

NormSchultze Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Get a hand strap.  B&H & Adorama have numerous
> brands.  And get a 4/3 mirrorless camera and a
> couple of primes. That will work.
Norm has the right answer in my book.  I have a full frame Canon 5D mark iii with battery grip and a handful of fast lenses.  It's 5-6 pounds all together, depending on what lens is mounted.  Even heavier when I mount my large flash for indoor work!  I use a Canon handstrap exclusively.  If I know I'm not going to be sitting for a long time, such as wandering the streets of downtown Chicago on foot, I attach a quick release shoulder strap (Op-Tech) as well that I wrap around my hand/wrist/camera such that I can open my hand and shake and the camera won't fall off.  As I am only a couple months shy of my 69th birthday, I'm finding that I sometimes have to use the Op-Tech strap as a shoulder strap (right side only, not around neck) and keep my hand in the handstrap to give some relief to my shoulder.

Agree with a handstrap, if the camera isn't on a tripod or stowed away then it's being used.
Also consider a camera bag built like travel luggage, a small bag with wheels and an extendable handle. Unless you're an off-roadee where a backpack would work better.

Check out the items this outfit has Tom. Might be a little pricey but could solve your issue.
www.peakdesign.com 

KC - they're also on fb



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/16 21:44 by GRNDMND.

lanewsman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I switched several years ago to the Black Rapid
> sling.  Neck problems gone and I've found that a
> sling is a much more efficient way to carry large,
> heavy DSLRs when one is on the move.

I'll second that - one of the best investments I've
ever made - photography-wise.  There are lower
priced alternatives as well, from otther vendors.

Check B&H, Adorama, ect... Amazon.

Best thing about a "Black Rapid" or simlar is
that the weight is transfered to your shoulder,
but even better, no more swinging camera!

The camera hangs close to the body, easy
to grab for a photo and very secure.

You won't look like a tourist, either - and it
won't swing around - great for hiking.

A small mirrorless camera is a nice option,
as well - just how good... how "great" of a
camera do you need?  MIrrorliess cameras
have come a long, long, long way - even
matching some heavier DSLR's in many
ways.

Check OpTech utility strap as a low price
alternative.

/Mitch

---

A Sony A6000 with a nice small prime (Zeiss Touit 32mm) is the cats meow.  It retired my Canon 1Ds2 and all those heavy L lenses.  Most times it is even strapless, just carry it with two fingers.
John

Just bought a fujifilm mirrorless dslr. It feels like a pack of cigarettes compared to my regular dslr cameras and battery grips.

If you can deal with a fixed lens focal length the Ricoh GR II can fit in your pants pocket and has one of the best sensors in a compact camera. Zoom with your feet. It's more for street photography. Not telesmashed train shots.

miralomarail Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a Very Bad sore neck, after 4 Neck
> Operations ! 
>
> All, I have to do, Is hang my Digital SLR , around
> my neck , for even a few hours and I'm in Deep
> Pain, I was out Memorial Day for the Amtrak
> Special, 2 days ago, and I'm still hurting bad ! 
> And my Nice Dr at the VA, would be mad, If she
> knew how many Pain Pills I'm using to carm my
> pain.
>
> So, Does anyone, know of anything  that I can
> buy, so I can transfer the weight of the Camera
> from hanging on my neck, to maybe another method
> ?  To carry it ?
>
> Thanks a Bunch
> From a Vet with a Bad Neck
>
> Tom Hirsch
> Cherry Valley, Ca

Hello, I bought this camera carrying vest several years ago and am very plesed with it. ( https://www.cottoncarrier.com/collections/camera-vests/products/ccs-camera-vest-1 )

Regards, John