topic Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Ideas for someone who has weak arms

lynda1619 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 03:37:51 GMT

Hi. I just received my canon rebel and I love it. My problem is that I have a form of muscular dystrophy and it is hard for me to hold the camera up and work the lens at the same time. Does anyone have any ideas about maybe a style of harness that would hold the camera up so I can operate the lens and snap the pictures. Thank you

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

ScottyP — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 09:35:25 GMT

Hi Lynda.

Two things come to mind.

1.). A monopod. These are just a lightweight collapsible pole you mount the camera onto. It bears the weight of the camera, but unlike a 3-legged tripod, it lets you turn the camera, pivot upwards and downwards etc. I use mine sitting in a chair or standing when shooting my kids soccer games because the camera gets heavy after a while, plus the monopod also steadies the camera well. These are not really expensive and are quite light, especially the carbon fiber ones.
2.). Tilt screen. If your camera has a tilt screen You could maybe let the camera hang in its strap and compose your shot looking down onto the folded out tilt screen. You would be shooting in live view so the camera would be focusing slowly but it would work.

Good luck.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

jrhoffman75 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 12:12:52 GMT

You can also get a walking/hiking staff that has a tripod attachment so you get a double use item. Potential downside is that the hiking staff doesn't collapse as short as a true monopod.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

ebiggs1 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:13:39 GMT

Those suggestions would not be my top choice for you. I had a similar case just a while ago with a lady. We got her one of these hiking harnesses. They range in price from around $40 to $150 bucks. It holds the camera "most" of the time for you. You will still need to do the acutally shooting but the time you have to actually hold it is reduced to where it becomes possibile. Much less tiring for you. Plus you can't drop the camera!

Check these out and see if it will work for you. A tripod or monopod is just more weight you would have to carry. Not a good solution for you in my mind. You can carry quite a heavy camera with these with little effort.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

ebiggs1 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:15:35 GMT

Here is a $40 dollar version.

Check B&H Photo or Adorama or perhaps a local camera store near you. They will let you try one on if you have a shop near by.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

lynda1619 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 18:52:07 GMT

Thank you ScottyP.

I have been checking into this as I think this may work well. I did get a tripod with my camera and it did work well, just bulky. Thank you for your suggestion.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

lynda1619 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 18:53:17 GMT

Thank you JR.

I have also been looking into this option also.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

lynda1619 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:00:58 GMT

Thank you ebiggs. Looking at the design, I'm not sure it would work for me. I can carry the camera around my neck but the problem for me is I can't hold the camera steady enough, adjust the lens and snap the picture. I guess what I am looking for is a harness type thing that holds the camera up like a tripod. then I have both my hands free to work with the lens and shooting. Thanks again for your suggestion.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

ebiggs1 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 20:44:22 GMT

I think you have the same condition that the lady I just helped with this. The trouble with a tripod or even a monopod is in order to work they are heavy. She could not carry one because she had no one else with her.

She got a Rebel, a T5i I believe and a couple of prime, not zoom, lenses. There is little to zero action needed with the lens. Just compose and snap. The harness holds the light Rebel right close to where its needed.

What type shooting did you want to do? If you are into wildlife, the equipment can get and is very heavy. Do you have soembody to go along with you on shoots? Go somewhere and try a tropod before you buy one. Remember a flimsy tripod is worthless. A carbon fiber tripod, much lighter, is very expensive, so be ready.

Also and option is the Powershot G16 and/or the

G1x II. Make no mistake these are extremely capable cameras.

This one runs around $800 bucks and has all the same features as a Rebel. You will not need to fiddle with the lens at all. It has a powered zoom! (24-120mm f2 lens)

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

lynda1619 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 21:05:02 GMT

Hi ebiggs.

have what they call Charcot Marie Toothe. I am kind of backwards as I am weaker in my upper body then my lower. IW$hen I bought my camera it came with a zoom lens, regular size lens, ipod, case, and extra lens ( the madnified lenses and the tinted lenses. I love the camera, just need to adjust. Only had it 2 days now.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

ebiggs1 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 23:03:42 GMT

All the best to you.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

lynda1619 — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 23:32:58 GMT

Thank you.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

ScottyP — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 13:18:50 GMT

Hi Lynda.

I was looking around for this, and here it is.

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/416887.html?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googleps&gclid=CjwKEAjw6Z2pBRCmvaXq6d7FjUoSJAAc5Lri9mHq2ZmpgQsX7HwVVtr4KrdFQC09_P_9N0ZpBQ4QNxoCoFjw_wcB

This simple little belt pouch thingy will let you use the monopod without having to extend it all the way and place it on the ground. You rest the 'pod in the little resting pouch and you can walk around and shoot at eye level but the weight of the camera is not on your arms.

You can buy this from larger, more reliable-feeling sellers as Manfrotto is a major brand and everyone carries it. I picked this one because they included the picture of the thing in action instead of in the package.

Hope this helps!

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 13:32:35 GMT

That's a great idea. I looked at reviews on Amazon. Some reported poor durability. A leather belt holder for a hammer might be more durable and less expensive.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

ebiggs1 — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 13:34:22 GMT

I doubt that will help her either. You still have to hold it up.

All these type add-ons add weight to the camera/lens. The lady I was helping, who I believe has the same condition, could not even get that stuff into the field or photo shoot area.

The hiking harness takes all the weight off the person. There is no weight on your sholders or arms or hands until you actually want to compose and shoot.

A Rebel or SL1 with a prime, or several primes, is the way to go. Or even better yet a G16 or G1x II. Again, IMHO, as always.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

ScottyP — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 13:48:58 GMT

As always.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

ebiggs1 — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 14:05:41 GMT

I hope she finds a way that works for her. She certainly has several suggestions to think over.

Re: Ideas for someone who has weak arms

lynda1619 — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 23:49:20 GMT

Thank you to everyone for all the suggestions.