So, i've been shooting wtih my beloved Mark II (s, i have 2) for years now. I love many features on this camera, including being able to have both CF and SD cards loaded in, the write speed, the buffer, sweet battery, verticle grip, etc etc etc. But...
My gear is too heavy to continue holding. I started having major trouble with my hands about 6 months ago (mostly around my knuckes, top of hand). My right hand cramps up, swells, and i have some significant pain. Most recenlty i started having trouble picking up small objects- paper clips and the like. So, not that i pick up paper clips all that often, but i am concerned! Not to mention, there are some days when i walk around with both cameras out and loaded and around my neck/shoulders. Ouch neck.
I've tried hand straps, braces, etc. It isn't as bad when i just have a 50mm on the camera, but some days i have to have that 70-200mm on almost all day. It's killing me!
Yesterday i bought a new 70-200mm IS, and in store i tried it on a 30D (or something), which got me thinking... should i switch to a lighter camera (5D)? Should i switch both cameras or just get one for that heavy lens (will that look dorky?!! haha)
I'm not too familiar with the 5D, so any advice about the features i will love and hate would be great. Any other ideas would also rock.
Thanks!
alison

Ok, this isn't going to be about the cameras, but my wife is a doctor of physical therapy and she said you need to go see a rheumatologist. Just thought I'd let you know.

Are you holding the lens properly? Too many people hold the lens incorrectly.

When you hold the camera in your right hand, where are the fingers on your left hand?

Are the fingers on top of the lens, and your thumb under it?

If so, you need to change your grip. Your left hand should bear the weight of the camera/lens/strobe on the heel of your palm.

Here's a shot of one my assistants doing it the not-so-good way.

Click to view attachment

To be ergonomic, your left hand should be under the lens. Thumb on the left side of the barrell, fingers on the right side of the barrel. If you've ever fired a rifle or shotgun, it's very similar to the hold and stance.

This way the weight of the camera is supported by your left arm. Heel of your palm is pretty much under the body. Keep your elbows tucked into your side to help keep the weight of the equipment going straight down your arm. With your left arm under your equipment, the weight gets transferred to your body.

Here's a shot i got this past week of one of the photogs on the cruise ship holding the camera the best way.

Click to view attachment

Alison-
I have small hands and found when using a camera with a grip, especially with a 70-200 on it, I would get a lot of wrist pain. I switched to using a camera body without the battery grip and it has helped a lot. I would suggest renting a 5D for an event and seeing if you are more comfortable with it (both physically and with the difference in camera features). Also, I bought a 85 1.8 and use it part of the time where I used to use the 70-200. Now I switch between the 85 and the 70-200 and it helps not having the larger lens on for quite as long.

Troy,
Good point. I've noticed that most women tend to hold the camera with their left hand OVER the lens. A 2nd shooter I've hired for a couple of recent shoots holds her camera this way, and in low light situations, many of her images are not sharp due to camera shake. It seems that there's better support with your hand UNDER the lens. It's just more steady.

That's why real shooters (firearms types) hold their guns that way. More steady.

The other way isn't wrong...

But, it is not right!

The other problem with the left hand fingers on top, is that your right hand is supporting most of the camera weight with your fingers and wrist.

Thanks for the suggestions.
I do hold my cameras properly, with much support under the lens.
My physical therepist had me switch to mousing and writing with my left hand (cause i can do both), and that helps my right hand "heal" faster, however i still have much trouble during camera use. i may need to get more medical attention- i just got home from a wedding, and i can barely make a fist with my right hand. oi. Definately going borrow a 5D to see if that helps.

I dont know, i hold the lens properly and have small wrists and with the 70-200 my wrist hurt for almost a week. Its just plain heavy!

Yikes, ladies, that's no good. I would definitely move down to the 5D, no battery grip.

Also, what arm position do you use? Having the arms tucked in and elbows is better on the wrists than having the elbows sticking out.

Same here with the wrists. I hold mine correctly too. I have to wear a wrist brace to keep from being in terrible pain and useless for several days. I tried some of the Mark cameras out and I couldn't possibly do it. I shoot 5d's.

b

ETA: I absolutely recommend the grip tho. When I didn't have one, it put SOO much strain on my wrist to shoot portrait. I couldn't survive without my grip.

Definitely no grip or you barely save weight. I had a 5D but now use a 1dsMKII, the weight when the 5d has a grip is pretty similar, maybe a few ounces different.

I used to have problems with the joints in my hands hurting so I did 2 things that helped: I got a hand exercise thing and I don't hold my camera when I'm not shooting.
The hand exercise thing is just one of those grip deals. I also incorporated hand strength into my regular workouts too.
I found that I would be standing there, waiting for a shot with my neck strap dangling from my camera. So now I actually put it over my neck and around an arm (like you carry a satchel, otherwise you will just have neck problems). Since making these changes I've seen big improvement. Pain is still there sometimes but not nearly as bad.
Also make a effort to remember to stretch your hands out several times a day.

Get a monopod for when you use the long lenses at the ceremony.

Carbon Fiber ones are lightweight, and smaller, but just as strong. The only problem is they are 2x or 3x the cost of an aluminum one.

PS: if you use a 70-200mm F2.8 lens, use the "foot" on the lens to do a tripod or monopod mount. Don't mount the camera body to the support and let the lens hang off the front of the camera unsupported.

We're slowly switching to high quality prime lenses for me for the very same reason. They are lighter than the 70-200 and oh so fun to use!!!

This is excellent advice. The 85 1.8 and 135 2.0 are excellent, small, light lenses that will help a ton over using the 70-200. Also the 24-70 is a beast of a lens as well. Primes are smaller, lighter, better quality and have bigger holes in the back to let in more light. Also, the bokeh is just so much sweeter.

Hey check out the mk III also; it's (feels) a good bit lighter!!