Help ... my camera hurts!

[Leftyplayer]

I am thrilled to the moon and back over my new 5D MkII. But, as I feared, each time I shoot, my right hand is in excruciating pain for a few days after and I have to keep it in a brace. That's the hand that supports the camera/lense. The pain originates at the top center for the joint where my wrist meets my hand (and shoots through my finger joints). Within a day or two of wearing a brace, I'm back to normal until the next time I photography. Didn't have this issue when using a lower level Rebel (which makes sense, since that weighed nothing).

Obviously, I must be holding my camera wrong or doing something wrong that is then causing this pain. It doesn't hurt DURING shooting, so I'm not getting immediate feedback and I CAN'T shoot while the hand starts out in pain because the pain is severe enough to make eating a meal painful, much less handling the camera. So, I always have to skip about two days after shoot before I'm function again. NOT good. BUT I love my camera LOL.

This was something I was worried about since I've had tendonitis, carpal tunnel issues for many years that are often triggered by specific repetitive motions or weighing down the hand at certain angles.

Oh, and yes, obviously, speaking with physician makes sense and I will do that. But I'm looking for feedback from other photogs on whether you've experienced this, how you hold the camera, and mostly looking for resources on good ergonomics in photography, etc.

I probably shouldn't be defensive before even getting any responses - but if you are totally super strong and have never had an issue like this and can't imagine anyone having an issue holding a perfectly regular camera, and think I should just go "work out" because it must mean that I'm just weak ... YOU NEED NOT REPLY. (Seen that type of deterioration of the only other thread I found -- elsewhere -- on someone sharing a similar issue - person never got helped because it turned into a "I can't believe you think the 5D is heavy and, if you're having issues from shooting with it, you must be weak and you should work out blah blah blah". :thumbdown: Let me be clear, this isn't a "muscle" thing. I have no trouble carrying the camera. This is some sort of tendon/ joint issue. Thanks.

 

[subscuck]

Tendonitis is a *****. I've had it in my shoulder and both elbows. I'm sure there's a reason you don't wear your brace when​ you shoot?

 

[Leftyplayer]

I'm sure there's a reason you don't wear your brace when​ you shoot?

Not good ones. The wrist brace slows me down while shooting, and I've prioritized the shot over the 'day-after pain' (which will need to shift is this continues). This camera is only a few weeks new, so I'm still hoping to figure out if there's a different way to hold it that I'm missing.

The second reason is that I already wear a knee brace, as I tore my meniscus and the knee never fully healed. Whenever I have to get lower (for different angle), the knee pain can be awful unless I have the knee brace on. I figured two braces starts to make me look like a super dork. So, vanity, I guess. Like I said, not good reasons.

p.s. I should note that I've added a battery grip to my set up, but the problem persists (setup is 5D MII with either the 24-70 2.8 or the 70-200 2.8 along with battery grip -- no flash usually)

 

[subscuck]

When you see the Doc, ask if there's a brace available with better mobility. Wear long pants and only one brace will be visible.

 

[KmH]

You need to critically review/evaluate your camera handeling technique.

Your left hand should support most of the weight and your elbows and upper arms should be held tight against your torso. How your feet are positioned, and how your body weight is distributed on your feet is also critical.

 

[analog.universe]

You need to critically review/evaluate your camera handeling technique.

Your left hand should support most of the weight and your elbows and upper arms should be held tight against your torso. How your feet are positioned, and how your body weight is distributed on your feet is also critical.

I agree with this. Most of the weight of the camera and lens rests on my left palm, my left thumb and forefinger focus. The right hand keeps the camera stable, but doesn't hold it up.. leaving all the fingers free for various buttons.

 

[edddial]

I can't figure out or imagine how your right hand 'support the camera/lens'. Normally it's done with left hand. I agreed with KmH and analog.universe.

 

[Overread]

Just to add to the good points above, whilst it might slow you down a little a monopod combined with proper holding technique and method would help take even more strain off your wrist should you still be experiencing pain.

 

[K8-90]

I've had similar issues since upgrading from a rebel to a 7D + 24-70 lens. My fingers and hand are sore for days afterwards...

KmH : Good suggestions, but not always an option. I often end up shooting one-handed, as I use the other hand to interact with the subject. For instance, when I photograph my cats, I usually have a toy that I am dangling with the other hand.

 

[Overread]

Ahh found it:


that might be a helpful option for many - even if you can't use the exact method the basic principles of good holding are shown.

 

[imagemaker46]

It is a heavier camera and lens combination, and it is not necessarly hand and wrist strength that comes into play holding the camera, it would be more shoulder, so as much as strength does play a factor, it is a minor one. I have been shooting with cameras, that have always had motor drives and can say that even now after holding them for a long period of time there is some fatigue that starts to happen in the hand, wrist and fingers. Have you tried holding it without the battery pack, and if so does that make a difference. The only thing I can suggest to help strengthen the hand/wrist/fingers is to use a small suqeeze ball everyday, it may help. As Overread mentioned a monopod would help take the weight off, but it still sounds like the tension of gripping the body is what is causing the joint pain.

 

[Leftyplayer]

Oh, duh! I said "my right hand" ... I mean my LEFT HAND. I do support the bulk of the weight on my left hand, so my right hand is pretty free to deal with all the buttons and no problems with that hand. Sorry for that error - I see how it caused confusion. it's the left that's unhappy. Did I mention I'm a lefty?

Thanks for the link to McNally video! I do use a monopod when possible, but it's rarely possible for me and what I'm up to out there. I had the camera without the grip until recently and, actually the grip feels better, but doesn't solve the issue.

I paid closer attention shooting earlier today (did a very short shoot just to observe myself). I think I'm keeping my wrist in an awkward twisted position as I hold the weight of the camera. I think I'm keeping my hand too far back on the camera body, so that the degree of rotation on my wrist becomes too extreme. My best bet is to wear the brace while shooting to retrain my hand to support the camera without twisting like that. After all, it's not how many braces you wear, it's whether you got the shot, right? . Off to check out that McNally video and see what he has to say about it.

 

[usayit]

No experience with this but I have a thought just to throw out there.

You know those support rigs that are designed for video work with DSLRs? They seem to help keep the camera steady through a combination of better grip positioning AND weight distribution. Could they help indirectly?

 

[imagemaker46]

I'm trying to figure out the twist of your wrist, what you can try and do is keep your hand straight under the lens and not turned. I have looked at the position and it may just take the stress off your wrist.