Oh my aching back, what am I doing wrong :(

[kirbinster]

I love my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 on my Nikon D300 - but it is giving me serious muscle pains in my mid to lower back after a few hours of using it. Am I holding it wrong? Are there some special exercises I need to do to strengthen these muscles? I have never had back issues and I am in fairly good shape so am very surprised. HELP!

[ARKreations]

I've never had any problems with my back (other than from sitting in a cramped auditorium for hours shooting dance), but I'm finding that using any heavy glass while I'm mobile results in a very sore wrist and forearm the next day. It is a little more noticable with my D300 than it was with the D80. But I do have a tendancy to carry/hold the unit in my (right)shooting hand. I just chalk it up as an occupational hazard.

[kirbinster]

I have no problem sitting, its standing for hours, like when I was at the balloon festival yesterday.

[Free]

Sounds like you need to work your core! A few simple core strengthening exercises should tighten everything supporting your back and stop the pain in a matter of a few days!

Look here

Look after your back, I've stuffed mine pretty good about 5 years ago and it still hurts to varying degrees everyday!

[Mr Guy]

That's a very heavy combo. It's not significantly different than holding a bag of sugar up to your face. Core muscle work and a monopod may save you some pain.

[OsmosisStudios]

Core muscle toning would help. Something as simple as back extensions would work well. The easiest way to do this at home is to lay down on a bed with your hips over the edge, letting yourself fall forward then pulling yourself back up, squeezing in the thighs and glutes. This'll tone your lower back up rather nicely, but will leave you stiff for a while when you first start.

[benjamieson]

Originally Posted by krossk

I've never had any problems with my back (other than from sitting in a cramped auditorium for hours shooting dance), but I'm finding that using any heavy glass while I'm mobile results in a very sore wrist and forearm the next day. It is a little more noticable with my D300 than it was with the D80. But I do have a tendancy to carry/hold the unit in my (right)shooting hand. I just chalk it up as an occupational hazard.

Ditto.

I never have my rig round my neck, holding it in my right hand. As a wedding shooter, relying primarily on what is known to us Canon folk as 'the brick' (24-70 2.8L - its wicked heavy), my right forearm is useless the morning after an 8 hour gig.

The joys of our passion!

Never had an issue with my D200/grip + 70-200VR

Don't know what to tell you.

[RexK_Cozumel]

I have the D700 +grip and the 70-200 no problems here. But I would recommend you get a better strap than the nikon strap that comes with the camera. I have a black rapid and it is much better than the nikon one.

[Quo Fan]

My wife is an exercise physiologist and athletic trainer (one reason I married her) and she says if you have back pain, you need to strengthen your hamstrings (if I remember correctly). I don't understand it either, but she has a Masters in this stuff, so she is the expert.