Aging and limitations in photo outfits

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rjselders

rjselders

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Greetings!
With the latest poll on average BCG membership sitting over 55 years of age, have any of the members found the need to change certain qualities of their photo outfit?

Fresnel lenses, monopod vs tripod, autofocus?

I like my 500mm f/4 g vr but it is a heavy walking companion.

Happy New year a little early,

Bob
 
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rjselders said:
Greetings!
With the latest poll on average BCG membership sitting over 55 years of age,
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The poll result is interesting to me in clarifying there are plenty still active over age 75.

In younger years bringing up a family, paying the mortgage etc are major priorities limiting time and budget for pursuits like time-demanding wildlife photography.
rjselders said:
have any of the members found the need to change certain qualities of their photo outfit?
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There is the difference between "need" especially if on a modest budget in later life, and having enough money to take at least some advantage of technological improvements that can lead to either more easily achieved or higher quality images.
rjselders said:
Fresnel lenses, monopod vs tripod, autofocus?
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How much does it matter - and for whom?
Improved in-lens VR and IBIS, lighter optics usually with improved wide aperture performance, more accomplished AF, pre-capture etc can all help wildlife photography though of little benefit for landscapes taken using a tripod.
rjselders said:
I like my 500mm f/4 g vr but it is a heavy walking companion.
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I have kept mine - though age over 80.
I concentrate on finding locations where I do not have to walk as far.
rjselders said:
Happy New year a little early,

Bob
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Also from Len.
 
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I am 73 with some neurological issues. I operate with meaningful limitations in strength and stamina. Daily walking limitations are in the 1.5-2 mile range with not too many hills or steep climbs. I recently passed on buying a used Nikon 400mm f/2.8G for $3000. I would have loved the lens but the 10lb/4.5kg weight could only work from a fixed position on a monopod/tripod. I do use my 500PF f/5.6 and 800PF f/6.3 with a monopod that make things manageable if walking on relatively level paths. I also recently purchased a Yayayo cane/3 footed sitting stool so I can take sitting breaks and have a stable platform to shoot from. I know I am missing many wonderful opportunities, but am still able to take advantage of what I can do! I also do a lot of flower, insect and small bird photography around our home gardens where I can take as many breaks as needed and have great subjects to photograph.
 
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rjselders said:
...have any of the members found the need to change certain qualities of their photo outfit?...
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Yes I did have to change my outfit because my jacket did not match my camera bag! ;)

In all seriousness, I switched from Nikon DSLR to Nikon Mirrorless, though with my setup the weight savings are minimal (frustrating that my beloved Z 70-200 f2.8 weighs just as much as the F mount it replaced, especially when Canon and Sony made theirs substantially lighter). However, I did make two costly changes to my long telephoto setup. At first I supplemented my Nikon F with a Sony 200-600 (and A7IV), but found it too heavy to carry around so I sold it. Then when Nikon introduced the Z 180-600 I bought it because it is lighter than the Sony. However, after less than a year of use, I sold it because it also got heavy walking around and replaced it with a 600PF that I got used on this site.
 
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I'm in denial about the ongoing march of father (or mother) time, and the gradual waning of my Rocky-like persona. 🏋️‍♀️ So, I'm still lugging around a heavy rig, pretending that the seeming burden is all in my head, along with my apparent diminished ability to recover from shooting in prone and kneeling positions. Eventually, desperation may spur me to put vanity aside and "downsize", or perhaps even remarry so that I have a convenient carrying companion. 😱
 
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I now need to work out with free weights to keep my body in a minimum condition to haul around photo gear. It also helps with the work I do to maintain my property and my house. The weights also help with my balance and so less risk of a fall and broken bones.

Biggest change with regard to photo gear was when I realized that I did not need to put everything in a single backpack or case. Instead of 37 lbs in a 32L backpack I now carry two backpacks and usually it is a 26L that weighs less than 20 lbs fully loaded and the 800mm PF lens and camera in a separate telephoto case. Having the weight more evenly divided makes for a lot less stress on my back.

The weight involved was the primary reason I have not bought a 600mm f/4 TC lens or the 400mm f/2.8 one, both of which would require me to carry around a tripod with a gimbal head. Easiest way to save 10 lbs was to shoot hand held. Even my monopod and tilt head weigh less than 2 lbs and this works well in a small boat.
 
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Abinoone said:
I'm in denial about the ongoing march of father (or mother) time, and the gradual waning of my Rocky-like persona. 🏋️‍♀️ So, I'm still lugging around a heavy rig, pretending that the seeming burden is all in my head, along with my apparent diminished ability to recover from shooting in prone and kneeling positions. Eventually, desperation may spur me to put vanity aside and "downsize", or perhaps even remarry so that I have a convenient carrying companion. 😱
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Great way to win a lady’s heart ♥️! ….🤔maybe get a golf bag caddy thing with wheels and a handle 🤷🏼‍♀️
 
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I am not yet concerned about carrying heavy gear. I did shoot a big wrestling tournament before Christmas and I had to get down on the floor and then get back up from the floor what seemed like 1000 times during the day. I have since tried to add some things to my workout routine to make that a little easier.
 
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I’m in decent shape at 69 but have never been a workout type. Instead of taking all the meds a cardiologist thinks I take I walk a lot more and eat way better the last five or so years. My left wrist feels sore on a long day of handholding my Z8 and 180-600 so I’m doing some easy exercises to, hopefully, strengthen the wrist.
I see a lens like the 500 f4 someone posted or a used 300 f2.8 (like I had years ago), and would love to use them but that’s past the limit nowadays. I also streamline my backpack if it will be a long day to what I expect to use. If the sun sets and it’s a beautiful wide angle shot, I enjoy it and don’t regret not packing that other lens.
I call my osteoarthritis a family curse since my 40s. I’ve learned to handle the pain with herbs and proper rest. I wish everyone the best of health. We are not Benjamin Button :cool:
Vinny
 
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Unlike Karen I never wore tank tops let alone short skirts :eek::D

I am 76 and blessed to be able to work out 3 days a week hand weights, high intensity interval training, founder exercises.

I am an on foot hand held bird ID photographer for my birding citizen science. I occasionally use my SUV as a rolling blind windows down and climate control off whenever I am doing it to avoid creating atmospheric distortion.

My primary birding set up is Nkon Z9 and Z600 f/4 TC carried on holdfast single harness leather strap when using just one camera, which with the 600 f/4 TC is now most of the time. I use a Hejnar replacement foot on the lens and rest that in the palm of my left hand target rifle style and frequently carry the rig baby cradle style when anticipating birds imminently. This set up is a lot more logistically and user friendly for me than my last DSLR birding set up D6 or D850 and 600 f/4 E. and I am older now so I guess that is a happy change.
 
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I sold my D500 and 200-500 lens 2 years back and picked up a Canon R7 and Canon 100-500 lens. Shaved at least a pound from my carry rig.

I didn't do it as much for weight as I did because I wanted to shoot more video. The back story of the shift to Canon had very little to do with anything wrong or right with Nikon. I have a family member suffering from dementia. At 64, I wanted to push myself to learn something new and keep my brain functioning. Not only going from DSLR to Mirrorless required learning, so did switching brands. The journey has been fun.

Jeff
 
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My experience is 55 is not 65. 65 is not 75 and somewhere in the neighborhood of 80 adjustments need to happen. You can pretend that you are young and take steps to keep young, but Father Time ultimately wins.

The first thing to go seems to be the robust, heavy tripod. Time was we strolled down the trail with the tripod across our shoulder and a serious camera and lens across our back. To me that was never fun but was required to get the shot. Times change. I remember Steve saying "the 500pf is my most fun lens, not most used." No more.

Around 80 I found that my preferred system, a D-500/300pf on one side and a D-500/500pf on the other side, was simply NOT FUN to carry. I was on the South Padre Island Bird Park boardwalk when this revelation hit me. Even easy walking on a boardwalk was not fun with that weight. I switched to a different system, a single camera-lens solution, a zoom. Fun returned.

Now 80 is well in the rear-view mirror, and my view of the future is through clouded lenses. I look for trips where I don't need to walk far or at all. I spend my money on guides that know my limitations and get me to the subjects with effort within my capabilities, not ultra-awesome expensive lenses. It is still fun.

Tom
 
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Tom Reynolds said:
My experience is 55 is not 65. 65 is not 75 and somewhere in the neighborhood of 80 adjustments need to happen. You can pretend that you are young and take steps to keep young, but Father Time ultimately wins.

The first thing to go seems to be the robust, heavy tripod. Time was we strolled down the trail with the tripod across our shoulder and a serious camera and lens across our back. To me that was never fun but was required to get the shot. Times change. I remember Steve saying "the 500pf is my most fun lens, not most used." No more.

Around 80 I found that my preferred system, a D-500/300pf on one side and a D-500/500pf on the other side, was simply NOT FUN to carry. I was on the South Padre Island Bird Park boardwalk when this revelation hit me. Even easy walking on a boardwalk was not fun with that weight. I switched to a different system, a single camera-lens solution, a zoom. Fun returned.

Now 80 is well in the rear-view mirror, and my view of the future is through clouded lenses. I look for trips where I don't need to walk far or at all. I spend my money on guides that know my limitations and get me to the subjects with effort within my capabilities, not ultra-awesome expensive lenses. It is still fun.

Tom
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Tom - a trip to Okavango Delta in Botswana seems just the right thing for you, where you can shoot from a boat which goes right up to the animals!
 
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Johan Schmidt said:
Tom - a trip to Okavango Delta in Botswana seems just the right thing for you, where you can shoot from a boat which goes right up to the animals!
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My wife, also a photographer, does not want to travel out of the USA. I may talk her into Costa Rica, or not. DickV on his lake, Laguna Seca Ranch, Daniel at Pt. Reyes or the Alligator Farm are more my speed.

New plan is to move my backyard birdbath further away from the back wall so as to create a better background. I plan to sit this summer photographing birds flying on and off the bird bath using Pre-Capture and whatever lens combination seems to work.
 
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being 80 yrs old in 3 mths time I found Nikon FF camera D810 and lenses getting a bit heavy. So I went over to M43 with Panasonic. Sso at least I can continue enjoying taking photos without having to worry about not being able to carry all day long
 
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Tom Reynolds said:
My wife, also a photographer, does not want to travel out of the USA. I may talk her into Costa Rica, or not. DickV on his lake, Laguna Seca Ranch, Daniel at Pt. Reyes or the Alligator Farm are more my speed.

New plan is to move my backyard birdbath further away from the back wall so as to create a better background. I plan to sit this summer photographing birds flying on and off the bird bath using Pre-Capture and whatever lens combination seems to work.
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Tell her here in the UK we even speak the same language 🤨. So many from the USA do not realise how much the UK has to offer outside of london until they visit. Start showing her youtube videos from those that have been and long to come back and many who actually make the UK their home. Visiting the UK comes as a bit of a cultural shock, no guns allowed, not even our police (except armed special units). That surprises so many USA visitors, and also how much tastier our food is (yes its true I have been to the USA a few times). London is a tourist trap, yes I can undestand why visit london, but there is just as much history in the rest of the UK. For example near me there are 5or 6 castles dating back to the 1100 AD or earlier. I have travelled to so many countries and learned so much about them, for example China to Egypt to name but 2 out of all the others which are many. I could write a book on place have been but it would take several editions to cover them all.
Great wall of China
DSC_3420.JPG
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China on the left and Mongolia on the right on top of a mountain range several hundred feet up
 
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