The pain came on like a sharp knife digging into my back. In a moment, years of lifting heavy lenses and avoiding exercise caught up with me and I couldn’t move. A hospital visit and an MRI later, and it was discovered to be a bulging disc messing with a nerve. That meant no photography for a while and lots of physical therapy.
The first thing I did is call clients to inform them about the situation, offering replacement photographers where I could.
The second thought I had is: What am I doing?
That Guy
Like the sneaking up of the Freshman 15 when you go to college, or the “dad bod” after kids, my gear slowly increased in weight. What started as a point-and-shoot camera when I went out and about 10 years ago became an APS-C camera with a prime lens became a full-frame DSLR and 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens, which became a few extra lenses and a flash in the bag all the time, because I just couldn’t afford to not have the big guns for every single moment in my family’s life.
Is this any way to treat my back on a simple family outing? Is it really a fun family outing with this much gear anyway?
And that was just in my personal life. When on a wedding shoot, I’d add a Pelican 1510 case full of more flashes and lenses, and then lighting supports and tripods on top of it. For sports I’d add heavy telephoto lenses. Between all of that and a sedentary job and lifestyle, I was doomed.
I’m not the first and certainly not the last photographer to feel the pain. Famed filmmaker Philip Bloom suffered three herniated discs in 2016 and had to sell some of his gear to cover costs. Luckily he seems to be back in action, though the danger is always lurking when we’re lugging around lots of gear. I’m just lucky that photography is not my sole source of income.
Seeking En-light-enment
I couldn’t go on carrying all this stuff all the time. For a couple of weeks after the inciting incident, I couldn’t even walk or lie down easily, let alone carry equipment. A couple of months after, and carrying heavy gear is still not an easy prospect.
A few years back, I bought some amount of Micro 4/3 gear to shoot video. While my Panasonic Lumix GH3 has been my main squeeze for the occasional video for all that time, I didn’t really lean on it or the system for photos, poo-pooing the smaller sensor. Sure, I took it out on the occasional vacation, but nothing close to a daily driver. But now, that system seems much more appealing. My Panasonic Lumix GM1 is the size of a deck of cards, and at 9.6 oz., a third of the weight of my Nikon D700 (29.1 oz. without the grip!) or my D750 or Canon EOS 6D (both about 27 oz.). When you add up the weight savings in the lenses as well, it’s a lot easier on the back. I looked back on some old photos I took with it and remembered why I bought it in the first place, besides the fact that it's orange.
London's Paddington Station shot with the Panasonic Lumix GM1.
While it’s great that Canon and Nikon have entered the mirrorless fray (for real this time), it’s a shame to see that smaller and lighter bodies aren’t really in the cards. After my injury, I had the chance to try a Nikon Z7, and it was excellent in the hand and a joy to use, but it sure was heavier than I was expecting or hoping for. I looked it up later and it was still a rather hefty 23.8 oz. The EOS R isn’t much lighter at 23.3 oz.
I’m realizing the benefits of Micro 4/3 more and more as I’m (more or less) forced to use it for weight reasons. Looking at Panasonic’s current lineup, it’s a shame the system seems to have bloated over time; there’s nothing as svelte as the GM1 in the lineup. While Panasonic is pursuing full-frame these days, it would be great to see them play to the original strengths of the Micro 4/3 system — small and light bodies and lenses that punch well above their weight. And weight is a real concern when you can feel the toll of every ounce on your back. When you’re carrying your kids, their stuff, and a camera on top of it all, it’s nice to know that you can get something like this moment with a camera that fits, quite literally, in the palm of my hand:
It's much easier to keep up with the kids when carrying a smaller, lighter camera. It's better for the back, too.
Have you had a photography-related injury? How has it affected your work or hobby? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
For me, tendonitis in my right forearm forced me to choose my MFT for a recent Europe tour. I was pleasantly surprised at how many shots were what I had envisioned and ultimately happy about my decision to take the crop sensor over the full frame camera.
I can relate to your pain issues and wanting lighter gear. After 25+ years hiking long distances on the lava flows of Kilauea with a 50+ lb pack my body couldn't take it much more. Of course, the first thing was leaving certain gear behind but, I'd usually regret it later. Then I decided to give MFT a try. The bodies are lighter but, the big thing is the lenses being much smaller and lighter. I cut my weight from 22 lbs for FF gear to 7 lbs for the MFT gear and cover a broader focal range. This allows for a smaller pack too. My issues were the hips and both were replaced this year when it got to the point I could hardly walk. No injury or wear and tear. Balls of the hips suffered unusual bone death.
The horror stories I could tell you about many of my hikes over the past 6 years and hips locking up with 8 miles to get back to my Jeep carrying a 50 lb pack.
I'm a very fit person who rides a bike, walks, hikes and surfs. I'm always active with an occasional relax/recover day. Well, used to. Slowly getting back into it all right now. I love the MFT system and rarely touch my FF gear anymore. I was fortunate enough to have a chance to work with Panasonic on an Ad campaign back in 2017 that allowed me access to a wide range of their gear and I was sold. At the time my hips were at the breaking point and the hikes I did during filming wouldn't have been possible with an FF outfit.
I'm still young being only 58. The saved weight will allow me to continue doing extreme adventures for many years to come. I envision someday maybe only having to carry 2 fixed prime lens cameras. Like a 16mm and maybe a 50mm and a zoom fixed lens for 200mm+ and getting plenty good enough images for 40 x 60 prints and only weighing in at 5-6 lbs total.
MFT works just fine for me. I like being able to ride my bike down to some local surf spots with my GH5 and Leica 100-400mm in a small hydration pack. Can't do that with my FF equivalent without needing a pack the will weigh more than the GH5 setup itself. My latest YT surfing video shows how well the GH5 setup does.
I've never cared what people thought about the gear I used. I've only ever cared about getting the shot with whatever I had at the time.
My back has issues too from too many years of const work when I was younger. Inversion tables are great for back issues. Strengthen your core and save your back.
Good luck with your recovery.
When I was younger, eyeglasses were super heavy and very thick. My grandmother had permanent imprints in her nose from them. Now they are featherweight because they are plastic. And still, the optics are terrific, and they even incorporate progressive focus points.
My hope, probably not in my lifetime, is that camera lenses use plastic elements. The enormous weight is my biggest complaint about my pro photo gear. And as much as I tend to think it's impossible, I look at my eyeglasses and have to think technology can get us there, someday.
Sorry to hear about your situation. It's tough. I've had two accidents, the first rearranged my back and the second caused a lot of damage to my right shoulder. Weight has been an issue for over 30 years. After the second accident, I dropped my D810. A shooting pain went down my arm and my hand just opened. I was picking the camera up off the table and didn't even have time to put the strap around my neck. Fixing the mirror mechanism cost $400.
I came to a similar decision to yours. My choice was a Fuji X-E2 and their smaller primes. With the 27mm pancake it's a fraction over 15 ounces. I can't print quite as large, but am very satisfied with system. The thing about full frame being necessary is mostly urban legend, and the "need" for super shallow depth of field a fad. For most of history, a wider DOF was what people wanted.
I'm still using Nikon for studio work, in large part because I have the lenses and flash system. But, using a tripod or monopod, I don't have to support the camera for long. I also always support the camera with my left hand.
"While it’s great that Canon and Nikon have entered the mirrorless fray (for real this time), it’s a shame to see that smaller and lighter bodies aren’t really in the cards." — Actually, Canon's M50 is pretty small & light.
Not wrong about the body being light, but Canon has seriously neglected the M lens lineup to make that move worthwhile. There’s a lot more lens love in Fuji and M43 land. The RF mount makes it seem unlikely the M series lenses will ever reach parity with Fuji or Olympus/Panasonic.
I'm a C5/6 Quad which means I'm paralyzed from the chest down. With my limited hand grip and strength I find ways to keep shooting. Although it adds more weight I always use a battery grip on my cameras as it helps with how I hold the camera. A lighter setup would be nice but my favorite combo for years has been my 5D3 with the 70-200 f2.8 lens. Hopefully I still have many more years of shooting ahead of me.
Early 90's while riding my bicycle home from work, I rounded a corner only to meet a car which crossed the center line & hit me head on. Although I didn't enter the windshield and fell off to the passenger side of the vehicle, I've had a life time of heath issues thereafter. Mind you before all this happen I was using gear like the Pentax K1000, Nikon FE2 and after getting hit, I though I could manage with the Nikon D50. The D50 would prove I wasn't able to carry the equipment any longer. Thus I was forced to resort to lighter "Main Stream" type pocket cameras. Although I wasn't please with these pockets, I did get a few nice images, but these cameras don't allow me to truly capture the moment. After 40 or more years, I've been without a camera since this past Sept. With 2019 just around the concern, I feel It's time fro something new. I've set my sights on the Canon (my first Canon) M series cameras. Along with this I'll be returning to my old ways Going old school on a new digital body. We still have a few more months until I'm able to make any sort of purchase, But once I do, I'll post images on my instagram. Otherwise, I will continue to suffer with numbness, chronic back and neck pain. if it wasn't for my wife pushing me back into this, I probably never would have picked up another camera.
New Group Created: https://fstoppers.com/groups/209859/handicapped-photographers
Rather than change gear, why not do more exercise? I have had cancer requiring surgery to my neck area, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, two broken collarbones requiring surgery in the last 4 years. In my early 60s, I still manage to carry around a 5d4 with 24-70 and a 7d2 with 100-400 and a 100L macro etc when I am out walking in the hills/mountains. It is not the weight of the gear that is the problem it is a sedentary lifestyle that is the problem. I cycle and Nordic walking to keep fit so I can continue with my photography. Since my treatments, I need to do a range of physio exercises to keep my neck and shoulder mobile and do these regularly. Also carrying the gear contributes to my fitness so a win-win situation.
"Rather than change gear, why not do more exercise?"
Why not do both if it works for you?
I can relate, after being in the Military for 20 years, I left suffering from 4 prolapsed discs, Sciatica and Lumbar Spondylosis. My trouble isn't so much that I can't carry the gear, although I limit what i carry...it's more that I can no longer bend over or get low for those close to ground Landscape shots anymore. I recently purchased a Canon 6DMkii, instead of the 5D MkIV, solely because it has a tilt screen which allows me to get some low shots. I also have to use a tripod for ALL of my bird and wildlife shooting as I can no longer hold up the long tele lens for long. I always carry a small, lightweight, folding stool as I need to sit down most of the time. The back issues have certainly impacted my photography but it also gets me out of the house and off the couch.
Im a longtime canon shooter and still have my kit. 2 years ago was my first twinge of my back while shooting a wedding and seem to repeat similar injuries every couple of months especially around family photo season (fall). That's when I started to look for something smaller. To my surprise I fell in love with the fujifilm Xpro 2. I have to say since the transition, I use my Canon gear pro portraits and fuji for everything else. I will also say I find myself stretching before shoots. Getting old sucks.
a7rIII with a 28mm 2.0 is a pretty light combo I love to hike with. AF is fast. Low light is awesome.
Having sustained a rare spinal cord injury during a routine SCUBA dive in the early 1980’s, resulting in quadriplegia, and a massive disc herniation in 2014, the majority of my photography is taken from the front seat of my SUV, boat, or wheelchair. I photograph nature and landscapes in common areas unrecognized by many for their incredible beauty and the interesting wildlife that exists there. I like giving the illusion of being in remote places. My photography expresses my love of nature, the outdoors, and especially water, all underpinned by my artistic vision of color, forms, and patterns. I still use full framed DSLR's and long prime lenses that are balanced with beanbags on my car door frame or with carbon fiber tripods wedged into my wheelchair. I hate the word can't
I'm very happy with my D750 and a good selection of lenses, but to be honest is quite impractical to carry around all day long. I'm very happy (also) to have a Lumix LX100. I bought for around 500 euros some time ago, and is the money best spent in my life. Don't even consider an interchangeable lenses M4/3 if you are after a really compact system capable of delivering outstanding pics. Macro capabilities, wide 24mm 1.7 to 75mm 2.8 (equivalent focal lengths) , leaf shutter, customizable controls, proper aperture, speed and multipurpose (I use for focusing) rings and wheels, focus peaking etc etc. It is a really understated camera, but everyone I know that uses one, agrees with me. For sure it has many shortcomings but not really remarkable considering the price and size.
Good job by everyone who suffers through their ailments. I am a disabled veteran...a POW who was tortured and came extremely close from being killed in a horrible manner. I have degenerative disc disorder, my hip is bone-on-bone, have a hernia and arthritis in several locations....as well as having panic attacks few times per day from the war. Just last weekend I did my daughters' wedding in the mountains. Not all of it of course. Had to walk up the mountain following the waterfall to different locations. I used the Fuji GX680 with Bogen 3036 tripod. The wedding went very well with no problems or surprises at all. The first wedding I shot which went smooth. Three days later I am still recovering, complete with moaning, groaning and walking very delicately. But it was all worth it. Oh, I did use a digital as well, just to cover both mediums. God I'm glad it's over. But my daughter looked so beautiful and chose the right man. Good luck to both of you and God bless your union.