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1. 

   scoobysmak
   

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   I ask this more as a general question, I did a search and saw stuff like black rapid straps and camera bags but figured there are other things people use besides that to give that warm and fuzzy feeling everything is going well or you didn't hurt yourself in the process.

   My reason to post is because this past weekend I did a favor for a friend and shot a kids wrestling tournament. It was a two day event, once the action started it did not quit, one match right after another running 3 to 4 matches at a time. I normally shoot at my own pace but not in this case (landscapes usually do not have a time limit or a whistle to start shooting). After it was all said and done I have numb finger tips on my left hand. I believe its from holding my D700 with battery grip using a 70-200 on all weekend (of course my left hand was on zoom ring of the lens).

   I wonder if I do this again would a glove on my left hand help, did I do something wrong, or maybe I should see the doc? Any other suggestions are appreciated but if other people have things that they use to help them I am all ears (an example might be kneepads if doing alot of shooting from a lower position).

   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 

   Rx4Photo
   

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   If you're feeling numbness and tingling in the fingers it's likely due to how your gear was being supported on your shoulder. There's a group of nerves called the brachial plexus that begins in the mid and lower neck and goes under the collarbone and armpit, then down the arm to serve the arms, hands, and fingers. Constant or long term intermittant pressure on that bunch of nerves could cause this issue you're having. Many people who use crutches incorrectly will put pressure in the armpit area and discover that thier fingertips are getting numb over time. The pressure does not have to be under the arm though. If constant pressure is applied in the right spot along the path down the arm this sensation could occur.

   Also if you were shooting wrestling matches you likely spent a lot of time on the floor, on your knees in strange positions, supporting yourself with your elbows for long periods of time with heavy gear.

   My recommendation for now is for you to try ibuprofen (Motrin) 400mg THREE times a day if you're not allergic to ibuprofen or have stomach ulcers. Stay on this for 3 to 4 days to see if this sensation goes away. If not then perhaps see a physician but I doubt it will be necessary.

   I'm sure others will chime in with other thoughts and alternatives. Hope this helps.

   Rx

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. 

   sevencrossing
   

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   I dont think this will help the numb left hand. I often use a spider holster ( as well as a black rapid )so the the camera is not danging round my neck when not in use

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. 

   msmoto
   

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   How interesting. Rx4Photo must be a medical person with all that brachial plexus talk. On another perspective is the possible overwork aspect of any body part when subjected to unusual activity. But a third idea to think about is the one of how we approach covering an event. I do a lot of "charity" events, and I do them the way I decide. When done without a fee, the photos I produce are what I think best demonstrates the nature of the event in an overall sense. Press credentials are essential with freedom to move about the area as you find necessary when covering an event like wrestling. Being closer with a shorter lens may have been helpful as the 70-200 gets a bit heavy while a 24-120 might have been easier to handle and allow some up close shooting. All this is being said with no idea as to the limitations you were under. But I can be very persuasive when taking photos, especially if done without a fee.
   What I typically wear is excellent shoes, Keens being first choice so as to not loose my footing. Then long sleeves, front pouch, and always carrying a rain parka in the event I need to cover the equipment in sudden downpour. Blue jeans, sweats, whatever is comfortable. A waist pack to handle water or whatever when outside is helpful.
   My camera, if handheld, is usually on my right wrist, the strap looped in such a manner it hangs on my wrist and the fingers sit in the place they are supposed to on the front of the body. This allows rapid access, and does not seem to cause any problems with my wrist. If I let go completely, the camera hangs by its strap from my wrist.
   At age 70, I have a lot of the problems of overworking various aspects of my body, but find that judicious limit setting is helpful prevention. Good luck in resolving the numbness...

   Posted 1 year ago #
5. 

   kyoshinikon
   

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   The black Rapid Rs-7 is phenomenal when shooting as it makes the camera near weightless... I shot a moto event last sunday (12 hours nonstop of running up and down hills) with 3 bodies D7000/D200/D90 and 4 lenses 10.5mm f2.8, 14-24mm f2.8, 28-70mm f2.8, 80-200mm f2.8 on me and the strap balanced it out so nicely My back and hands weren't killing me like they did before I got the strap. It is worth the $60 you pay for it. It also helps your posture too...

   Another thing that helps is to rest the 70-200mm on the palm of your left hand and not your fingers or the side of your hand (between your thumb and index). Many photographers do the latter and it results in soreness and often an agitated nerve. A glove may help...

   When I am using my 300mm f/2.8 (or kayaking) I use bench-press gloves to get a good grip and keep my hands from going sore...

   Stretching helps as you can sit in more weird positions like resting your arm on your knee...

   If all else fails a good monopod should do the trick... At the 2010 us open (surf) there were a gazillion photographers around where I was standing. The guy to my left had a bridge camera (p100x?) on a $200 manfrotto monopod. The guy to my left was handholding a D700 with 400mm f2.8 and seemed to do fine...

   Posted 1 year ago #
6. 

   donaldejose
   

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   Your numbness has nothing to do with your legs and I don't see how holding the zoom lens ring with your left hand creates any pressure on the nerve that runs from your neck to those fingers, unless you were resting your left elbow on something for support. I question your assumption that the numbness in the finger tips on your left hand are from the photo session and can be solved with using certain camera gear.

   The nerves which provide feeling to the fingers exit the spinal chord in your neck. I suggest you may well have a small ruptured disc in your neck. Typically a ruptured disk presses on the nerve root as it exits the vertebrae. Typically the outer part of the nerve affects feeling while the inner part of the nerve carries the signal for motor function. If that pressure on the nerve root is high enough you feel pain in the finger (not at the neck where the problem really is) and then your fingers will become paralyzed if that nerve root dies due to too much pressure. Since you don't complain about either pain or paralysis, it is likely you have experienced mild pressure on the nerve at the neck. It is also possible to have put pressure on the nerve somewhere else along its path down your arm to the fingers. However, we have all had a leg "fall asleep" which is when some pressure on a nerve results in temporary loss of feeling, "pins and needles" feeling, or numbness. Remember how quickly the leg returns to normal when you simply take the pressure off? Within 10 or 15 minutes of "being asleep" the leg "wakes up." I would expect the same to occur with your finger numbness. If you felt some numbness from shooting the wrestling match you would have felt it immediately after the match and it would have gone away in 15 minutes when you stopped shooting and you wouldn't have written this post.

   So I suggest you go see your doctor and tell him your symptoms. You may need an x-ray of your neck to check for a ruptured disc.

   Posted 1 year ago #
7. 

   TaoTeJared
   

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   So many MDs in the house. I have had my fair share of back surgeries, pinched nerves etc. and you don't need any advice except from a Dr if you feel the need too. I would agree with everyone, it was probably a constant pressure on various nerves.

   When I read my only thought was - YEP! If you don't do it all the time that is what it feels like the first time you cover something fast for a couple of days. Especially if you are lugging around a 70-200 for 12hrs a day.

   For that type of stuff I shoot 70% with a 85mm 1.8, 15% with a 50mm and the rest with 70-200, 35mm 1.8, 24-120vr. Keep it light, BlackRapid strap, Marmot waist pack and a padded belt lens holder to keep the weight off my shoulders.

   Posted 1 year ago #
8. 

   bjrichus
   

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   Just to add to the MD's in the house comments (LOL), my son is a Osteopathic Physician (heck a *REAL* M.D. - a D.O. actually), and I know he would suggest talking to a D.O. to see if he/she can advise about the avoiding the cause of this as well as potential solutions if it does happen again..

   Scoobysmack - is your finger still numb? If so, don't hesitate, go see your doctor. I don't know how old you are, but also when we get over about 40 or so, these things can take forever to heal without intervention, even if that intervention is trivial in nature.

   Posted 1 year ago #
9. 

   donaldejose
   

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   I am 65 and have many numb spots 1n my arms and legs due to ruptured discs in my back. I have lots of personal experience on this issue; both with surgery and without. If that numbness lasts more than a few hours or a few days something is still putting constant pressure on that nerve someplace and it would be good to understand where and what can be done about it. Over a period of about 6 months a ruptured disc tends to shrink and often surgery can be avoided if it is not needed immediately to stop paralysis.

   A key factor is just how long this numbness lasted. Was it for a few hours, or a few days or do you still have it? I am assuming you still had it when you wrote this post. Others here are assuming it was a temporary effect of a couple days hard shooting.

   Posted 1 year ago #
10. 

    golf007sd
    

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    Will all the MD's "please stand-up, please stand-up, please stand-up"...had to throw that in there...Lo!! I must say I second what TaoTeJared said: "YEP! If you don't do it all the time that is what it feels like the first time you cover something fast..."

    I'm by no means an expert on how to deal with nerve pains and such, thus I leave that to those that know more about the field than I. All I have to say in dealing with the pain is: limit the amount of medicine you take...drugs are not good for your body...let time be your friend and let mother nature do its work.

    As for the gear one should consider taking/using when covering such an event, I always try to do what I can to take as much weight of my shoulders and arms a possible. For sporting events, I never leave home without my monopod. Hell that is why I got it in the first place. For my 70-200 2.8 I attach the lens to the monopod via my RRS LCF-10. Most monopod, when fully collapsed, get as low as 2 feet or less...which is perfectly fine for most of my shots. Also, if possible try to take along a small stool to sit on, I have one of those portable one's that you see at most golf events (Amazon $12.50 search for: Black Collapsible Stool).

    For now scoobysmak, get yourself a nice cold...cold...cold drink (beer in my case) sit back put your feet up and just "chill out." I will tell you this, the next time you cover such an event, you will know your limitations, what gear to take, how to best use what you have, and what to do and not do.

    Cheers...

    Posted 1 year ago #
11. 

    enigmeow
    

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    I use both a spyder holster AND a black rapids strap to keep the weight off

    Posted 1 year ago #
12. 

    elvishefer
    

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    I always try to remember to hold the camera differently between shots. Cradle it in my left hand, prop it on my shoulder, hang it from the black rapid strap, hang it between my left forearm and body, etc. Mixing things up tends to spread the pain around, instead of focusing the strain on one group of muscles. Shooting for 12 hours is rough if you don't do it every day, especially with the lens/body combo you were using.

    When shooting, gloves, etc. can help with blisters if you don't have calluses built up. You might feel goofy at first, but it feels a lot better than a sore hand(s) for three days. The first time I did a six hour event with D700/grip/24-70/SB-900 on camera, I got a painful introduction to conditioning required and how I didn't have it (I was doing a charity event, and isn't something I tend to do). Another time, climbing around the low mountains of Newfoundland for 12 hours tested the comfort limits of the Black Rapid two body strap - it worked great but I wasn't used to the effort and I paid for it for a few days after.

    Now I try to be prepared as possible. I got a little collapsible stool to sit on and use with my monopod for times when I'm doing a lot of ground-level shooting. I have a pair of neoprene work gloves I massacred into shooting gloves so I have them when I need them. I'm planning to get knee pads. It's not premium photography gear but the little things help.

    Posted 1 year ago #
13. 

    Rx4Photo
    

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    Here's a cute setup!
    
    This was at a 4 hour Christmas parade. She shoots for the local paper. Wonder how her shoulders felt later that day?

    Posted 1 year ago #
14. 

    kyoshinikon
    

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    Serves the Canut right!

    Joking aside, that used to be me (only there was a 3rd body in the mix though)...

    Posted 1 year ago #
15. 

    spraynpray
    

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    I spent the day in London yesterday with a backpack full of 'just in case' gear.

    Note to self: take less gear or you will get aches where you didn't expect you would.

    Posted 1 year ago #
16. 

    bjrichus
    

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    Rx4Photo said:
    Here's a cute setup!
    

    Oh the poor dear... Rx4... you need to provide her with a long deep massage and then convert her to the dark side... ;-)

    Posted 1 year ago #
17. 

    msmoto
    

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    Maybe I need to visit the gym and get my old body in better condition. And as to the photo with the flash attached, this is the way to get the easy straight out of the camera shot, but the dynamic range is so enormous on the sensors now days I have found all sorts of shadow detail in the shadows and can process these with Lightroom 3 and avoid all this flash stuff. I actually like to see a photo that looks to me like I saw it in the flesh. And sometimes a lot of equipment can eliminate this. The lazy people like myself avoid the flash and this allows one to carry the camera the other way on the shoulder with the top of the camera facing one's body. Somehow the lens/body is tighter to my body and it seems to "fit" better. And the lens is not sticking out hitting everything within five feet.

    Posted 1 year ago #
18. 

    scoobysmak
    

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    I totally understand the "just in case" gear aches. I did the same thing about 6 months ago I went for a hike and had a D700 with 16-35 and a D7000 with the 70-200 strapped on me. I thought I might catch some wildlife with the D7000 setup, it was a fairly busy day on the trails so I didn't see anything. Needless to say I paid the price for the extra weight around my neck (I did sling it to the side but still felt it the next day).

    Posted 1 year ago #
19. 

    dormant
    

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    In some situations, maybe those the OP was in, I will put my bag down and move around unencumbered with extras - just camera and maybe a second lens in a pocket. It doesn't take too long to go back to the bag to get something.

    But only if there are no potential thieves around.

    On a tangent, why are so many things made with belt loops? My trousers are in danger of coming down if I put all that stuff on my belt.

    Posted 1 year ago #
20. 

    msmoto
    

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    Let's get this going again. I was out recently shooting some bicyclists in Greensboro, NC. Temp about 35 degrees F, windchill in the twenties. Camera set up= D90, f/2.8 400mm VR Nikkor, Manfrotto Gimbal, Benro CF Tripod, 20 lbs of sandbags from center column. What did I wear?

    Aerostich Roadcrafter One Piece Suit in bright yellow with fleece jacket underneath. Gore-tex, thin but insulated gloves which allowed full control of camera functions. While the suit is a bit on the stiff side, it was totally wind resistant, and made it possible for me to be out in the 25 degree wind chill for nearly one hour with no discomfort. I set up equipment from my car about 50 feet away.

    Why am I adding to this thread? One of the easiest things to happen on cold days is to become so engaged in the photo we are attempting to capture, we may very well get too cold. The potential for a disastrous outcome presents itself when our core temp drops and judgment is one of the first things to decrease. This could be a problem even in temps as high as the 40's F, especially if wind is a factor.

    Be safe, be well prepared with waterproof gear and camera covers, take good care of yourself. There is no need to take chances with the weather when it is not necessary.

    Be warm all....

    Posted 1 year ago #
21. 

    lauzobe
    

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    Nothing!

    Posted 1 year ago #
22. 

    lauzobe
    

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    Well, don't tell me I'm the only one who thought about it ;P

    Posted 1 year ago #
23. 

    kyoshinikon
    

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    lauzobe said:
    Nothing!

    

    Posted 1 year ago #
24. 

    el_migu_el
    

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    I am still not sure whether to post or not but here it is.

    In general I would not ask or google for any medical advice on the net
    as a first consultation / analysis (bad idea). Go see a doctor if you are really concerned.

    As for your actual problem, I think if one does something for the first time that's the way it often feels. Albeit there is a chance you handhold your camera wrong or weird, mostly its just a lack of exercise since you use muscles and postures you don't regularly.

    Please do not get me wrong, no offense intended, but I think there is a relation to physical condition. A proper trained torso provides and enables a healthier posture and protects sinews and nerves better. Hence a casual (once a week) workout could help for such casual stresses and weird postures while shooting, at least it does for me.

    Posted 1 year ago #
25. 

    msmoto
    

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    el_migu_el said:
    A proper trained torso provides and enables a healthier posture and protects sinews and nerves better. Hence a casual (once a week) workout could help for such casual stresses and weird postures while shooting, at least it does for me.

    Absolutely right on! In fact this is most likely more important for us folks who have a few more years on us, ha, ha, ha. I might suggest, three times a week, twenty minutes each, would be a minimum. But any stretching, cardio-vascular, resistance training, done in moderation with proper supervision if one is not an expert in this, will make the physical requirements of carrying your equipment more tolerable.

    And, I tell myself this everyday. Now, if only I can get to the .........

    and after looking up "me gusta", I find it means "I like".... sure, but you would have to be a strange person to think you would like to see an old lady Cougar dressed this way, ha, ha, ha.

    Posted 1 year ago #

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