My gear is just tooo heavy to use

Geoffc

Senior Member
I was just looking at a yet another post (Not on this forum obviously) where somebody was complaining about the weight of their gear. This guy had a D7000 plus 18-105, 70-210F4, 35 1.8 and 50 1.8 lenses. The 7000, 7100 and 610 bodies are hardly heavy given the level of performance they offer and those lenses are neither heavy nor cumbersome unless you compare it to a P&S. If people simply don't want to hang a camera off their shoulder fine, but heavy and cumbersome I think not. My wife previously used the D300 (Heavier than D7100) with a range of lenses and now has the D7100 and is Ok to walk around with a Nikon 70-200 2.8 attached if that's what's needed. My wife is average height and slim, unlike me who only achieves one of those descriptions:( Likewise, using a Blackrapid strap I'll walk around all day with my D800 and anything up to my Nikon 70-200 2.8 attached. I'm not big or strong, I just don't see the issue. Perhaps anybody seen walking around with a D4 and 300 2.8 should be given a wide berth as they must obviously spend serious time in the gym.

Rant over :mad:
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
When I pick up my D7000 and 18-105mm to go shoot IR it almost feels like a toy. My D600 typically has the 24-120mm on it, and lately the D800 has the Sigma 150-500mm, so my arms get a workout with the latter.

Granted, some folks have physical issues that will limit their ability to use even light equipment, but that's something they should have considered when they started. I have a debilitating shoulder issue in my left shoulder, which is my "carry shoulder" and has been for my entire life (things slide off my right - they just do), so I have to consider that. So it's wide, padded straps when I used them - even on my 13.5 lb bass guitar (which is part of my problem).

Some people aren't happy unless they're not happy.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
My walkabout combo consists of a D7100 with battery grip and a Sigma 50-150mm APO lens; this combo weighs in at exactly 5 Lbs. (according to our bathroom scale). While I certainly wouldn't *mind* if the Sigma magically lost a couple pounds, I carry that kit using a wrist strap pretty much all the time. At 5' 8" I'm not exactly an imposing figure but I do eat my vegetables...

Some people would complain if you hung 'em with a brand new rope.

...
 

grandpaw

Senior Member
I'm a pretty big guy and I'm certainly no weakling but I wouldn't complain at all if my gear was lighter. I tolerate the weight because it is necessary to get the quality of equipment I like. If I could carry the same thing around at half the weight I would be much happier.
 

STM

Senior Member
My camera bag, with my D4S and D700 and AI/AIS Nikkors from 16mm to 300mm (12 in all) and all the various accessories like hand held meter and filters weighs about 40 pounds. It is heavy but I am used to it. The ruck I carried in the Army was ALWAYS over 100 pounds and that did not include about another 30-40 pounds for body armor, helmet, weapon, water, etc.. There is nothing "LIGHT" about "Light Infantry"!
 

FastGlass

Senior Member
As I recall, I weighed my gear bag in at something like 45 lbs. The combo I 90% of the time use is my D3s and 70-200. Nothing compared to the wifes purse.
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
My feet get heavy at times. Could that be a symptom?

As @grandpaw said, we trade comfort for results. The advantage pf DX cameras is they are lighter and smaller, but if you want/need the advantages of FX, then you trade the comfort to get it.

It will get better. In the old days, they used a mule to carry the cameras.:)
 

Englischdude

Senior Member
when i go out it is generally with 1 body and one lens, as I go out prepared for what I want to shoot. It is also common that I must combine a shooting session with playing frisby or soccer with the kids so cant be lugging too much around.
 

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
What a first world problem. hah! "My thousands of dollars worth of camera gear weighs too much...waa!" "My Lamborghini is too loud!!!"
 

TedG954

Senior Member
If I'm going to a specific sight, with a mission in mind, I throw my 201AW with 4-5 lenses and other equipment, tripod, monopod, etc. into the trunk of my car. That becomes my working office.

If I'm walking around for 1-3 hours, it's my D800 and the attached lens on a Rapid sling.

If it's a full day of walking around, I carry my D5100 and a lens.

I pretty comfortable but a sherpa may come in handy someday.

mochila_enorme.jpg
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
I'm amazed at how heavy my D300,sb-800 with lens and tripod can weigh all together! Lol But it hasn't slowed me down at all in my dreams of going bigger and better, even if it takes me using a dolly to haul it around! Lol :D
 

STM

Senior Member
If I'm going to a specific sight, with a mission in mind, I throw my 201AW with 4-5 lenses and other equipment, tripod, monopod, etc. into the trunk of my car. That becomes my working office.

If I'm walking around for 1-3 hours, it's my D800 and the attached lens on a Rapid sling.

If it's a full day of walking around, I carry my D5100 and a lens.

I pretty comfortable but a sherpa may come in handy someday.

View attachment 89520

I need to find me one of those, but all black would look better!
 

STM

Senior Member
I'm amazed at how heavy my D300,sb-800 with lens and tripod can weigh all together! Lol But it hasn't slowed me down at all in my dreams of going bigger and better, even if it takes me using a dolly to haul it around! Lol :D

My 600mm f/4 AS Nikkor alone weighs 12.5 pounds. But if I take my 300mm f/2.8 AIS and TC-300 along, though I have an equivalent of 600mm f/5.6, I have shed about 6 pounds in weight. IQ loss is minimal at 100%
 
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