Health/Back Concerns
 

Others have posted here with similar issues, I'm sure we've all encountered it. Personally, my back has really been shot this past off season, and I'm concerned about this year really beginning. I'm a weekend warrior, working full time and doing about 7-8 a year, maybe more. I do like doing them, and was hoping to see this grow into more of a fulltime with other video gigs, but I"m not sure thats in the cards.

I'm 43, and I have a bad back. My father did, and he didn't run around on weekends carrying around multiple bags and tripods setting up & shooting at a moments notice like I'm doing. I use a (dated) Sony Z5U which is a bigger camera, and a Sony VG900 which is a smaller handicam sized. My tripods are pretty heavy, and I usually bring a slider &/or a glidecam, but I try to leave that in the car and pull that out only for the photo session or dance floor footage.

However, I really feel I can't keep doing this as-is. It is soon time for a new camera, and while I'm not entirely sold I'd make a DSLR shooter (I really like/need having the run & gun and zoom ability of a standard video cam), I would really like the benefits of simple and lightweight. My tripods especially, just feel like a burden to lug around. I've been thinking about the following:

1. Another VG900. Not the greatest camera, but I'm already familiar with it, and I have a theory about just buying one sick zoom lens for it, and I already have a few primes. Doesn't give the greatest look, but maybe that's just me not getting the most out of it. It's mostly a 2nd camera though towards the end of last year I began using it more throughout the day.

2. A7s - Not sure I'd get one, plus the 20 minute time limit if it has one. Still worth considering and the quality is great.

3. Dual handicam route. Look into something like using 2 AX100s, small and lightweight, easy to match up too.

4. FS5 - A bit more than I'd like to spend, however in retrospect I said the same thing about the Z5U when I purchased it in 2009 and that got me 7 great years (originally it was the date/time stamp which I wanted for depos, and secondly was its wedding/low light ability). However I imagine this would keep things at bulky and heavier.

5. Slowly wrapping this up. I'm serious,

I think of it like this, I can downsize/adjust, and while I likely wouldn't be the perfect fit for every couple, I can adapt and still offer packages at fair rates. I spoke with a photographer a bit about this and he told me the old adage 'Work smarter not harder'. It resonated with me. Using 2 handicams or VG900s would definitely keep it light, especially if I were to find lightweight but sturdy tripods (Any suggestions?). It could be a bit of a learning curve, to switch up and learn an entirely new camera and setup. On the other hand an AX100 is probably fairly similar to a Z5u, with full camera controls, just a different menu, probably all on the LCD, and a DSLR/FS5 would be similar to a VG900.

Anyway sorry for the long post, but just wondering if anyone else has similar dilemnas or went thru this with any advice. I shoot average weddings budgetwise, probably a bit lower. Does anyone think 4K is going to pcik up steam real quick, like within 2-3 years?

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

David get two hfg40s or two ax100s dead simple, after 30 weddings a year with camcorders DSLR messing around this that and the other and a bad back to boot? its great and dead simple with two cams that produce good footage. The bride and everyone else no nothing about DSLR look and bokeh, just get the story right and the wedding footage and all plain sailing,..

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

My kit has grown a bit every summer. I always fantasize about the ultimate in portability, but the nature of weddings makes it extremely hard to not carry a bunch of crap "just in case".

For advice, I'm going to come at from a different angle. I feel weird saying this, because I'm afraid it might come out as some kind of humble brag, but I do think the advice is helpful to a lot of people.

I would say, consider hitting the gym and doing a serious strength training program. Deadlifts, squats. Heavy compound exercises. It's a side hobby of mine, and I've noticed that my experiences with fatigue and soreness seem to be far less than what many people describe on this forum, and many photogs/videographers I work with.

I know people think of running and cardio as the tickets to getting fit, and don't get me wrong... they are great. But what we have to do, lugging around heavy stuff, bending, moving, sometimes quickly and haphazardly, I really think having a strong back and a good work capacity for moving heavy stuff can really help prevent creeping injuries and just make the day less of an unenjoyable strain.

Just my 2cents, hopefully it's helpful!

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Get yourself an aspiring 19 year old who wants to learn to shoot. Get a couple, so they can compete against each other.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

I wish it was that simple, in my case I am following a specialized training program for my back which doesn't focus on muscles that control motion but the ones that are located just beside the spine and the lower abs and who mainly support the lower spine, my training doesn't involve any heavy lifting at all, instead it takes a lot of concentration to train these muscles as they are very hard to "activate", you can compare it with trying to move every toe one by one on your foot, it can be done but it's very difficult to achieve. This is something they don't teach in a gym, in my case a serious training program would have the opposite effect and make my backproblem only worse.

As advise for David, if you where satisfied with your z5 you will be with a sony x70, prices have come down a bit now and it's basically a ax100 with more functionality. I would even try to continue using your vg900 as second camera for darker events, not sure though how well it performs in low light or how well you would be able to match up with a x70.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Thanks. Yeah I do like the thought of matching cams.


Thanks, don't take this the wrong way but as I was reading this I was hoping I'd come upon a Eureka! answer, to solve all my problems. It helps somewhat, I do go to the gym, typically about 3 times a week. Some days, I can't even do the treadmill & choose the elliptical instead. Maybe situps or getting a personal trainer to help might work better. Ultimately though, I'm in pretty good shape. Even run a 10 miler in the city each year.


Thanks, I hadn't really stumbled across that one, but looked it up and that does seem nice. Definitely worth considering, and I could test it with the vg900, if they don't seem to match then i could sell that for another x70.

& Mike Watson, yeah I've thought of that, even just as a last resort in case I have trouble making it thru a season at any point. Just hire a 2nd to get thru the days. Even if its a pretty big hit in cost, just to be safe.



How about tripods? Does anyone use lighter ones? Mine are fairly heavy but I have a small camcorder one I use for some youth hockey games? I should use that at least for my 2nd camera, right now I have a bigger Sony & a Glide Gear, which is also pretty bulky.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

In looking at it, the X70 might be the best solution. It would give me a balance between the run & gun (zoom lens, ND filters, fixed lens), vs the vg900s low light ability & lens choices. Depending on the day, I could choose which I shoot most parts with (bridal prep, photo sessions, entrances etc), yet fairly easily shoot the bigger events using both.

Its tough lugging gear from a parking lot, to the hotel room, then walking a block further for a first look, then 2 blocks further for the church, whereas others the entire day takes place at a country club 50 meters from the parking lot. .

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Downsized myself, so I can understand where you're coming from. Getting old isn't for wimps, and adding lugging stuff around certainly doesn't help. My second shooter/photographer suffered injuries in an auto accident, and "slowly wrapping up" has been under consideration.... but I still have other uses for camera gear, and a couple potential second shooters coming up... Still, I did a one shooter event as a favor for a friend, and I was felling it big time after a couple hours, made me feel "out of shape"!



The X70 is the "pro" version of the AX100, so you could possibly go one of each or two AX100's - but you could also consider the RX10M2 or M3 (similar sensor, but improved over the 1st generation sensor in the AX100), or one of the A7 series - the 30 minute clip limit has been hacked, I have to get around to modding my cameras, but the reports are good that the hack works for unlimited shooting from most of the Sony "hybrid"/still cameras. Most of those options should be light enough even with rigging to be comfortable, and if you shoot 4K, you can pan/crop and at least sometimes get away with fewer cameras!

Stable tripods are heavy, and tall ones are heavier still, no easy getting around it. I might suggest looking at the Sirui carbon fiber footed monpods - weight isn't bad, and they actually are pretty stable with good height, might at least replace one tripod? I had my up and coming shooters on one shoot, and used two of those monopods and one tripod, it worked pretty well.

I've tried to cut back on both size and weight, as well as quantity of gear wherever possible, all the "toys" are nice, and for live events, sometimes you have to "be prepared" for anything...

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

FWIW, I'm down to a sling bag, a small Sony aluminum case or two for "accessories"/3rd camera, one tripod and a couple of monopods.... not "light", but a LOT lighter than what I used to have!

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

I don't think going dslr will necessarily solve your problems because if you want the functions a standard video camera you gave to assemble a cumbersome rig.

I'd concentrate on lightweight tripod and cart system to transport equipment. That and a combination of stretching , exercise and listening to your body for warning signs. For me long periods of time in one position followed by abruptly lifting heavy equipment is a recipe for throwing out your back.

Some ppl I know hire an assistant. Cuts into your profits but not as much if you hurt yourself, can't work and lose clients.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

I have a couple guys working for a couple hundred bucks a day. It is a hit in cost, but I still make the lions share, and these are guys who would struggle to get business were it not for me. Once you find the right few people, it is a very symbiotic relationship. And I can continue it even when I can't do the physical work anymore.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

The best thing I've done this year is to use a collapsed monopod that slips into a waist pouch for most of the day (obviously tripod for ceremony/speeches) - I started to suffer a back back last year but this seems to have avoided it further

Pete

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

+1 to that. The Manfrotto video monopod was one of the best things I've ever bought, I feel like a ninja! I actually used it for the speeches on Saturday! I fixed off another camera on a tripod and used mine for (careful) roaming.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

I'm wary of that hack - I've modded my A7s II and a couple of times during Saturday's wedding it randomly stopped recording - something that it hasn't done before.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

My back has been giving me grief this year, but I'm putting it down to the rapid weight loss that I'm still adapting to. Posture is still assuming I'm 18.5 stone. I do find that the more stressful weddings tend to affect me more than the easier ones. There's a reason why yoga and other calming exercises are said to be beneficial to a bad back. At the start of the year it was my knees, hence the weight loss, but exercising on a bike for 30 mins a day has beefed them up and they're fine now.

Other than that, I think the monopod is an excellent suggestion, having used one for years, I can vouch for its benefits. Smaller cameras and lighter tripods are the way forward if you're working multi camera. I find using my GH4s a delight, but of course such cameras are not for everyone. Still there are plenty of great cameras that are small and light and the RX10 and Panasonic FZ1000 are good compromise.

Best advice is to take a good look at your gear and see how easy it is to transport. I've seen Videographers with less gear than mine dragging as many as 5 seperate cases of gear around compared to my 2. I use a tall bag on wheels for all my tripods, slider and jib, with my camera, lenses and audio recorders in another bag I can carry on my back or place in a small suitcase on wheels if my back is causing me grief.

Only your main camera needs a professional tripod, if your 2nd, 3rd and in my case 4th cameras are smaller, a light weight photo tripod is sufficient.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Damn! I sold off my spring rod and belt after I dropped the EA-50's ... Yes the FZ1000's even with a twin handle bracket under the camera and two grips either side of the camera and a shotgun mic on top make my whole handheld rig 1400 grams which has made life so much easier on my back ... holding the grips each side seem to make it lighter (but it's not of course) so a little rod and belt for things like the receiving line and first dance might be a good idea as I can feel the odd twinge in my lower back after 10 minutes of filming non stop. Still it is no where near the back pain I used to get with the EA-50 on my shoulder with a heavy lens up front .... lighter cameras are definitely the answer and a waist support is still a good idea .. I think I must look into that for longer shoots!!

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

David,

First, please don't think about quitting. You can do this! I tore up my back over twenty five years ago when I was a firefighter/medic. I will spare the long story my life of back pain culminating in my lower back now being held together with glue, screws, and two steel rods. So I have been there and live with this and I am still a truck load of gear type shooter. I have to be for the kind of work I do.

So to try and be helpful I would say there is more to it than just cameras. I am a nut job when it comes to bags and cases. I have a ton of them. Most of my soft bags are backpacks. That helps distribute the weight where I want it instead of a single shoulder strap pulling down on one shoulder. All of my hard cases have wheels. I have two monstrous tripods. Even those live in PortaBrase cases with hidden backpack straps that zip out. So think about your kit from start to finish.

Paying an assistant $200.00 a day is a no brainier for me, I do it all the time. But get this, I learned the best assistants don't shoot, don't want to, and you don't want them to. There was a two year period when I was lucky enough to be able to hire a true Hollywood grip to assist me. It was amazing, he could and would do everything but shoot. He was worth his weight in gold. He was a professional assistant, he did not want to shoot. Unfortunately he moved back to Hollywood. So now most of the guys I hire do want to learn whatever I can help them with so I gladly mentor them.

BTY, tradition sit ups could quite possibly be the worst exercise you could do and just cause more damage. It depends on what your back condition is about. Be careful and hang in there!

Kind Regards,

Steve

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

I have obviously been out of the loop as this was news to me. The last few weddings I did before finally giving up the business I used a pair of Olympus OM-D EM-5s plus a Panasonic G6 without recording limit & it was amazingly liberating just to able to carry all my cameras, lenses & batteries in a single small shoulder bag. Three RX10M2s without recording limit would be a great solution for lightweight wedding gear with that 24mm-200mm F/2.8 equivalent lens & no lens swaps or even three RX10M3s with the 24mm-600mm F/2.8-4.0 equivalent lens.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

There is a group that has been working on reverse engineering the firmware for Sony cameras, this was reported on Sony Alpha Rumors not too long ago.

I've got several RX's sitting here I want to "hack" and test, and see how it goes. I've seen positive reports, but Peter is saying there were problems with his A7SII, so I'll definitely be taking a bit more testing time as I fiddle with the mod (it appears to use the Sony "app" interface to hack into the firmware, if I understand it correctly).

I've not found the 30 minute clip limit to be a big problem, but if the hack works reliably, it would be quite a nice upgrade to the Sony branded cameras.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Yes it hacks the 'Play Memories' app but as mentioned my A7s II randomly stopped recording during the speeches at last weekend's wedding and freaked me out - I've rolled back my camera until I get time to test it properly and see what issues (if any) other users are having - TBH the 29 minute limit is no biggie for me

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Can't understand why some of you aren't too bothered about the 29 min clip limit. To me it's a real issue and why I've invested in 2 GH4r. Do you have other cameras without the clip limit as additional cameras. The only camera I use with a clip limit is my original GH4 and whilst not an issue as I man this camera for the Ceremony and Speeches, retiring my GH3 that also had a clip limit has been done with a great relief.

I'm not sure what this Sony hack is like. The hack for my GH2 worked well and without issues. It's always a risk going against the standard firmware. Sony cameras always come across as a bit more buggy than other manufacturers as they push new releases quickly onto the market. I'm not sure if I'd be brave enough to rely on a hack for Sony cameras for professional work.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

To me the 29 min limit has never been an issue at all. Even when I had my Sony EA-50's no clip exceeded 30 minutes anyway ....I find it really tough to struggle with a huge clip in the timeline anyway!

Maybe the speeches in jolly ole England are long and boring ..Seriously ours average 6 minutes but I did have one of 17 minutes a few weeks ago because the FOG decided to sing a long and drawn out version of "Danny Boy" at the end of his speech. At Catholic weddings (which we rarely do any more) I still reset the camera after readings and homily so clips seldom exceed 15 minutes.

I supposed it's what you are used to... even at dance recitals I have started a new clip on every new song to make it easy to make up a DVD menu!

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

This really baffles me, a dancepeformance is usually in 2 parts with a half hour break inbetween meaning if you shoot with 2 camera's you end up with 4 clips to sync in post, lets say there are 20 performances so in your case you end up with 40 clips to sync in post, where is the advantage in that?

Also when you export you just export one file and in your dvdmenu software it's just a matter of marking the beginning of every part and add a name and that's it, as I see it you are making it more difficult on yourself.

If you are shooting a continues event, like a ceremony and you are shooting with multiple camera's that have no recording limit and you have big enough sd cards why would you even consider deliberately stopping and restarting a camera? That does not make any sense at all.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

I'm averaging about 30-45 mins for Speeches; been ages since I've had one less than 30 mins.

Like Noa, struggle to see your logic here. If a Ceremony is 45 mins long say, it doesn't matter if you're using individual clips of 15 mins rather than one long clip of 45 mins, the timeline would still be 45 mins. Syncing clips takes time; why add to your work.

Juggling 4 cameras, the clip limit has major impact for me; it limits camera placement and becomes one more thing to worry about when you're trying to focus on filming.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

I'm 49 and while active- I can't say I'm in perfect shape! I was having some back pain after working on weddings and using a Canon XF300 was too much! Even if using a Manfrotto monopod (a life saver!)...
I can survive a few minutes with the XF100 which is much lighter of course but the monopod gives better steady footage...I also used the Canon 70D but without a monopod the footage was not the way I like it...
and I have even used the C100 and that one is better but still heavy after a bit...
the manfrotto monopod is a back saver! and tripods of course...I don't do steadicam...
but I was feeling more discomfort a couple of years ago and I decided to start doing some weight training..nothing extreme...10lbs weights, some resistance bands etc and with some videos (P90X etc) I started exercising and stretching and strenghtening my back...seriously..lost some weight and put on some muscle...6 days a week..and I made sure I included exercises for the back and the core muscles. I even went to a physiotherapists who taught me some exercises...on line too...
I can honestly say that I feel better and I can handle the video work better-but i have to be smart and bring a dolly to carry equipment and the monopod! gosh..without it it would be a problem. DLSR or not...
just my opinion. If there's a medical issue with the back then a visit to the doctor/sport medicine would be a good idea...just my thoughts. Let's stay healthy guys! Good luck!
E

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Hi Noa

No sync issues at all. We get a feed from the theatre desk for each camera but these dance teachers seem to prefer to just have a wide angle view so they can see them perform as a group so more often that not it's already synced with the vision. Don't do many of these anyway ..just mainly weddings and no recorders in use either just two wireless setups so sync is never an issue!! The only minor sync I might have to do is on the cutaway cam which is simple and the shorter the clip the less likely it would be out anyway.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Removing the 29'59" time limit shouldn't have any adverse effect on the Sony cameras as it is just removing what is purely an arbitrary limit as there is no technical reason like overheating or a file size limit.

The issue isn't so much whether a ceremony or speeches will exceed 30 minutes but just the peace of mind knowing that the unmanned cameras will keep on rolling even if there are delays. It's far less stressful to set your unmanned cameras recording early than be worried about rushing round at the last possible moment pressing record just before the bride arrives at the church. Even worse is clock watching & worrying about having to creep round discreetly to the unmanned cameras to hit record again to restart,

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

I've tried it on a Sony RX100 IV and got about a hour and half each time, then the battery died. This was only 1080p, wouldn't risk an extended 4k clip on the Sony RX100 IV.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

I've been meaning to follow up with everyone on this and thank everyone for their input & advice. I did do a pretty decent overhaul upgrading from the old Z5U to a little Sony X70. It's been a few months, and a few shoots, I sorta like the little thing. I was a bit delusional thinking my Z5U wasn't becoming a bit dated, although I did have the CF card adaptor, which extended its life about 2-3 years by ditching tape a while back. My only complaint about the X70 is I really dislike the shared zoom/focus control. I realized I never like shooting auto focus, as all it takes is someones elbow or a candle or something to get closer in and throw off the shot. So it's a cumbersome process to zoom in, switch it to focus, focus up (or auto focus then switch back to manual), then zoom back out. I really wish it had dual controls there, in fact I hate the concept of it altogether, but I suppose its a budget thing & at $2K its nicely priced. A bit of a struggle in low light but by the reception I goto the VG900 with Sigma 35mm 1.4 which is great in low light. And I have a 2 shoulder backpack which I previously had, the X70 & a few items like lights, mics etc fit in pockets just right.


Then, it came time to editing, I'll post pics if I can, but my (10 year old) Ikea computer station was a bit junk. Sorta kiddish or something, it had a nice look, but wasn't ergonomical to my needs. I think that was a bigger factor, so I said F it, and went all in. I went to Ikea and picked up a sit/stand desk and backless swivel chair. They are great. I've raised it to stand a few times, but just being able to control the desk height to the exact amount is great. I can adjust it and angle the monitor to suit my needs quickly, and it might change on a day to day basis (surfing the web vs editing etc). That imho was a better upgrade & more important one, tho the camera was due for an upgrade.

So I'm back, and looks like I might give this another go:) I had a double Sat/Sun at the end of July & edited them all of August & shot another wedding last week & I've felt alright pretty much throughout. Took an Advil here & there but never much of a serious issue, not as bad as it had been previously.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Good to hear you landed on your feet again. For me it also has been quite a struggle with my back but am happy I am able to do a handful of weddings every year now, at least, if my back continuous to allow it.

Can I ask what sit/stand desk you got from IKEA? I have been looking for something similar.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Noa,

I picked up this one: BEKANT Desk sit/stand - birch veneer/white - IKEA It was a bit more than I wanted to spend, but looking back soo much worth it. It's like 2 meters by 1 meter, fits dual monitor & speakers etc just fine with a nice spread. It was pretty easy to put together & operate, although there's a wierd key for the up/down trigger, but once you get that figured out it's up & down with motorized ease.

I've come to look at life this way, things that last a long time are worth spending a bit more on. As per day/per month/per year it averages out to a small bit more. A desk like this should last 10 years easy (let's hope). I figure the motor should last long. It's not like I move it around up & down all the time, once I've found my height I've mostly left it. Though I imagine I'll check out more of a stand height now & then.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Thx! was not even aware they had that in their assortment and that is coming from someone who has worked 15 year for IKEA :) In Europe this desk comes with a 10 year warranty but didn't see that notice on the US site.

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

Yeah Ikea's a great store. I really like the DIY vibe they put off, here in America we need that. "There's your stuff, over there in a box. Go take it and go home and put it together yourself".

I hear they're incredible with logistics and disassembling and packing their products to consolodate & save on shipping & storage. I'm a fan, but I admit sometimes I open the box, look at the instructions and think "Uggghh, this isn't going to be good".

Re: Health/Back Concerns
 

I even have visited the place where the founder of IKEA was born which was one of many work related visits to Sweden, fun times but also already 11 year ago when I left, we still buy at IKEA and the only thing I regret is not getting any discount anymore as co-worker. :)