In a recent thread about hand straps I posted something about my ongoing battle with hand fatigue and wanted to see if anyone had anything to add.
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After several hours of shooting my middle finger gets fatigued, specifically the muscles between it and my index finger. My hands are XXL and there's just no good way for me to make the camera fit without running into some ergonomic issue.
I use the AF-ON button and if I have my hand where I'm fully engaging the grip my thumb is way up over the top of the body, I can't reach it. So the palm of my hand ends up angling away from the bottom of the camera a bit. In effect I have to use a rotated grip position to reach the buttons, where my middle finger is supporting much of the weight. The only solution I can come up with is to increase the 'bulk' of the grip, I can't figure out a good way to do that. If the front of the grip was 1/2" larger, Nikon grips would fit my hand better.
It's not an issue for short shoots, but after 8 hrs of shooting I'm doing hand stretches and palming an imaginary stress ball in the air
If anyone has any suggestions I'm open!
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When shooting Pentax 67 the wooden grip worked out well for me and I've been considering something like the Kirk Action Grip, but wanted to see if there were other suggestions. I'd like to keep things as compact as possible and really don't like flash brackets. I already hit myself in the forehead all the time with my flash.
I should also add I've contemplated attempting to remove the leatherette grippy on the body and replace it with bulkier sculpted high density foam or some such material.
Nothing other than "be careful." After two surgeries on my right wrist (the last being this past March) and a lot of trouble with both hands in general, I can say that the best treatment is to avoid having a problem at all. And to see a doctor if the problem becomes chronic in any way.
One question: Is there any way to shoot less and/or become more efficient?
I was a huge proponent of hand straps a few years ago until the right hand pain got so bad that I'd avoid shaking hands with people. Pro bodies and big glass were just too much lateral twist across the back of my hand. Stopped using them and went to blackrapid, after 6 months or so it got better. Never doing hand straps/grips again.....
The WristShot brace that you posted above is pretty nice. I use one at work with the HVX200 and HPX170 camcorder from time to time when I don't wanna screw around with the SteadiCam Flyer vest, harness, swing arm, and gimbal mount. It holds the weight of the 6 lb pro camcorders well (+ batteries + microphones + wireless mic receiver pack) , so I'd imagine it'd support a D300 or D700 class body with a beefy lens like the 24-70/2.8 just fine.
Coud it be that you're gripping the grip? I hope I'm not oversimplifying this serious condition, but 85% of the camera weight should be resting in your LEFT hand. The MOMENT you feel any tension in your right hand it means you're shifting the balance from left to right.
Try to remember that....it should make a BIG difference.
The WristShot looks a lot like the brace they use for Carpal Tunnel. I don't envy you the pain, used to have it from being at the keyboard too long. Better chair, MS Natural Multimedia keyboard, and posture fixed that for me without surgery (thankfully). I'd say give the Hoodman and Optech both a try and see which feels better to you.
I have used pro bodies for years and find the weight can cause some hand fatigue. I have quit using the AF-ON button because it stressed my hand--in moving my thumb up to the button put more pressure on the three fingers holding camera. So now I only use AF-ON in limited situations. I also like the BlackRapid strap because it keeps the camera on my side where I can rest my hand--like having a hand strap without the weigh on my hand. Comfortable when shooting an event.
