Heavy lenses and neck straps, a problem?

[mercphoto]

A few of you here know I recently underwent spinal surgery in the C4-C6 area of the neck. And while the surgeon says that my problem wasn't caused by anything I did (including 4 years of kart racing, which did cross my mind), I really do wonder if maybe things I did might have at least made things worse.

Someone from the Automotive Photographer's Network posted the below and it is food for thought. I know that I'm going to change how I walk around with big cameras and lenses, especially since the neck strap hits me in the neck exactly where I had my surgery.

Has years of big lenses and neck straps hurt my neck? I really don't know. But I know I'm not going to continue carrying equipment the way I did before, just in case.


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Oh, I just caught the part about neck problems and putting the camera around your neck.

Even without health issues, it's just not a good idea to wear a modern pro camera around your neck. The <1lb of a Nikon F with a 50mm 1.4, or even a modern entry-level DSLR and kit lens might be OK, but our necks aren't meant to support much weight beyond that of our heads, and a good body with a 70-200 is a recipe for disaster. I know a bunch of PJs who've done sufficient damage to their neck nerves and muscles that they're under strict doctors' orders to never carry a camera on a neck strap again.

By far the most comfortable way to carry a large body and lens is with a sling-style strap, like the Blackrapid or Sun Sniper. Using one of these is one of the best decisions I've ever made as a photographer, you have to try it to believe it, it really does take all the chore out of carrying a camera all day. It's like your camera has suddenly turned into a point&shoot, in terms of carrying effort. It's also better for the camera, as it hangs in a safer position and it supports the lens, rather than putting that weight on the body's lens mount.

If you don't want to get a new strap, just throw the normal one over your shoulder. One trick I've discovered with this style of carrying is that, with a 70-200, it really helps if you put the camera over your shoulder "upside down", so that the top of the camera is closer to your body, instead of the bottom. Because it puts the strap loops closer to you, the camera hangs lens-down, instead of with the lens sticking out to the side and the LCD getting scratched rubbing against your hip.

[KenJulio]

When I know I'll be using the Nikon 70-200 VR II, I'd strap it to a BlackRapid strap which is a strap that goes across the chest. You can then later move the connector to the body onto the tripod mount if you go with a smaller lens.

If youre wanting to use a neck strap, then I would suggest the OpTech straps as they utilize neoprene in the neck support area.

EDIT: I guess I should have read the post before posting :)

[Nikonfan]

I just bought the Sun Sniper a week ago and wow! I used in on our Downtown Ft. Worth walk this weekend and it's amazing the difference. You don't even notice your camera is there. Okay, you can tell it's there but barely. The shock absorber built into the Sun Sniper is great too!

[brewercm]

I have c4-c6 fused also and had the same problem with carrying around my camera for extended periods of time. I would end up just putting my camera over my shoulder to the side to remove the weight from my neck. I ended up buying one of the straps like the Black Rapid but a different brand.

[humminboid]

I noticed a lot of discomfort during and after an airshow shoot, carrying my camera and 70-210 D zoom, with my usual neck strap.

So, I bought an inexpensive cross-the-shoulder strap from daBay. It made a world of difference with my D50 and 70-300 VR lens. Even a home made strap will make a great difference in comfort by the end of the day. I think.

If you are of average height or less, one of the OpTech straps and their cross-shoulder adapter make a good unit. Easily convertible from one to the other, and very comfortable. If only I was 3-4 inches shorter, it would have worked very well.

At least that's been my experience.

[ngoduyviet]

This is why I carry both my cameras & lenses around my waist, especially doing long event shoots.

[UncleDannie]

I used a $5 luggage strap (2 1/2" wide) and made a cheap across the body strap, and I hook it to my tripod quick-release. Works great and it's secure.

[Jim Victory]

I never carry a camera around my neck. I may carry one on my shoulder but mostly across my chest. I made one using the OpTech quick release system and a Kinesis strap that came with a long lens case.

I can carry a 500 f/4L IS + 1.4x TC and a 1DMKIV all day without discomfort. BTW I have 6 herniated disc in my back and had surgery to both of my shoulders.

Don't use a camera around your neck!

[The Loft Studios]

"Pro" Cameras (DSLR's) these days are a joke, weight wise....
Try totin' an RB or RZ for 10 years doing weddings, finally got smart and bought a Bronica GS-1
When I first starting shooting digital back in '94 and finally was able to shoot on location with the Kodak 660 several years later, I thought I was in HEAVEN.....

[shnitz]

One of my previous doctors had heart disease. Being a surgeon himself, he flew to one of the best heart hospitals in the world to have his work done. The verdict? Debilitations are 80% genetic, 20% environmental. Despite being an avid runner and engaging in sports all of his life, plus eating healthy, it was bound to happen.

[mercphoto]

Ariel, I see the point. I just had a follow-up with my surgeon yesterday. He stressed, again, what happened to me was not something I did to myself. Including the heavy camera around the neck.

Its not that he sees no problem with doing so, he can see why it could be a problem. But lugging heavy cameras around my neck (or 4 years of kart racing, with a helmet bouncing around my head) did not cause this to happen to me.

Not that I'm going to go back to lugging the camera around me neck though!

[David Whatley]

Do a search in this section for Cotton Carrier. I love mine.

[Tsladaritz]

A good wide guitar strap works well too. ;-)

I have a black rapid, a pacsafe, g strap, and optech.

My fave current is the pacsafe. It is cutproof/theftproof and pretty comfy.

But really I don't use a strap about 75% of the time. Just gets in my way when shooting. I use it to carry on location, then often snap it off once I start shooting.

[Outlaw]

I've been a photojournalist for 11 years now, and I have no doubt in my mind that incorrectly hauling around my camera + 70-200 for shooting sports and events contributed to damaging the discs in my lower back years ago. Came to a head one day when I bent down to pick up something off the floor and didn't make it back up. The pain in my back was the worst I'd ever felt in my life. It took six years of rehab, gym time, pain and patience just to get to where I could lift and carry my young children again.

I learned very quickly exactly what situations put pressure on my lower back - sitting, carrying anything in front of me (especially my camera and biggest lens), bending over incorrectly - because every time I did it, I'd be thrown to the ground in agonizing pain.

I've invested in a good office chair with proper support. I stand up, stretch, walk around, lift some weights or play with my medicine ball every hour I'm at work. I spend less time in front of the computer. I lift by kneeling instead of bending now. I use a monopod when shooting field sports, and pay better attention to my posture when I'm shooting in a gym. I work out at the gym often, giving my core muscles the attention they deserve. I've lost weight and lift weights to improve my strength and posture.

Even with all this, about the only time my back gives me trouble is when I spend three hours walking the sidelines shooting football or soccer, hauling around that camera and lens.

All this to say, you know your body better than your surgeon - you know what causes you pain, makes you uncomfortable, or just doesn't seem right in your head. Trust yourself, ditch the neck strap, invest in a good sling strap, and just pay attention to how you feel. Your body will tell you what works best.

[8mpg]

I just picked up a Black Rapid knock off on ebay for $25. Its the same strap that was highly recommended here from Case Speed in Houston.

You guys might check into them. There are plenty of knock offs on ebay from different sellers