Hand grip dependency?

[bo eder]

Hi all!

So a friend of mine gifted me a rather nice 1977 Nikon F2A - and to be honest, I've not shot with a manual camera like this in about 10 years. For the last ten years it's been more modern cameras with the built in hand grip (Nikon F5/D1, Canon 1D/5D/1V/1N). Heck, mostly all cameras look the same with the bulging right hand grip built-in!

For the last couple of days I've been carrying the F2 around and running a test roll, only to find it's aggravating a minor arthritic condition in my hand trying to hold it up (it has no grip, so my right hand is gripping harder than normal, I suppose). The weight of this fine machine with a 50/1.4 lens is actually a bit heavier than my EOS-1V with 50/1.4, but it's less ergonomic because of the lack of a grip. My doctor and I have been working on my hand condition for the last few years, but he says due to years of drumming and a lot of labor, it's just a sign of my age (really?). Obviously, it's a two-handed shooter because my left hand is supporting and operating the aperture ring on the lens, but the switch between hands because each one could be adjusting something, makes it increasingly difficult to use.

I'm a little bummed because I'd like to use this camera more, but I had no idea how over the last decade, I've grown dependent on the ergonomic battery grip! It's so easy for me to handle the 1V one-handed, I feel like I have no coordination at all with this F2, let alone the numbing effects after holding it up and about for an extended time. I'm not a little bummed, I'm really bummed!

I plan on showing this to my doctor when I see him, but I know there are probably people here much older than I with certain arthritic conditions. Has anyone here had to deal with this? How did you deal with it?

 

[M Carter]

I'm missing about 1/2 of my right ring finger, and that accident jacked with some tendons (glove got sucked into a flat-bed planer, makes for a rough evening!)

Just the missing bit of grip-ability makes small bodies fiddly for me, and with my DSLRs I use the grip when shooting stills (I use my DSLRs more for video gigs nowadays, but then they're on a rail setup). But I'm trying to swear off 35 for B&W darkroom film shooting, I prefer the bigger negs for masking and whatnot. But some of my favorite negs are 35mm - "having a camera with you" does make a difference after all!

My favorite 35 right now is a Minolta HiMatic 7s, so I just have to live with it - no grip for that one. Though I've made some 3D printed enlarger parts so, I guess it's possible… there's definitely a Mamiya Six folder in my future.

(Other things I can't do: snap my fingers on that hand {no sound at all!}; remove change from my right pocket - it all spills out!)

 

[Paul Howell]

You may want to try a flash grip, Vivitari and others made flash grips with good ergonomic grips.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

You might find a little grip for your F2.
For the record I know someone has a handy grip on his F3 and it fits the F2 as well.
It is one of these 3rd party well made affairs that screws at the bottom.

Failing that, you can add a MD-1/2/3. But, you will be complaining about the weight.

 

[Paul Howell]

A motor drive adds weight but not depth which is needed for many folks with arthritic issues, meaning a wider grip, think Dr. Grip pens. The flash grip for the Vivitar 283 may work, the bracket screws into the tripod socket.

 

[horacekenneth]

If you take a look at the Nikon F2 facebook group there is a guy there, named Wayne I think, selling nice-looking handgrips for the F2. Might try that.

 

[bo eder]

I will check that out! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Trask]

Do you have to be a Facebook member to look at someone else's Facebook page? Just by my asking this question it's clear I'm not on Facebook.

 

[yoyi]

For what it's worth, I have several film 35mm cameras, and I cannot imagine using one without a grip, I don't have any issues yet, but I love my grips, I cannot imagine using a camera without one. As a matter of fact, I have a Bronica etr-si with a grip. The balance that the grip adds to all my cameras is a clincher for me. Love them.

 

[Sirius Glass]

A flash gun grip might help you with your problem. Myself I am tired of the piece part body replacements. Next time I am going to get a full body replacement with an 18 to 21 year old male hard body [If it were female I would never get anything done]. Then there will be only one recovery and one rehabilitation!

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Man you must have awesome insurance.

 

[bo eder]

Man you must have awesome insurance.

I suppose I do.

Actually, thanks for all the replies and suggestions. But it's not a deal breaker for me if I can't ever use the camera, I suppose. It was a gift, in addition to the Canon EOS-1V and EOS-1N cameras I just bought for myself. So I have cameras to work with that I can handle (not to mention my little SL-1's). The F2 will live in the closet and I may build up to using it, or I may sell it if my buddy doesn't mind. I'd like to pull it out every now and then when I'm in groups of youngsters with their DSLR's

 

[Chan Tran]

Hi all!

So a friend of mine gifted me a rather nice 1977 Nikon F2A - and to be honest, I've not shot with a manual camera like this in about 10 years. For the last ten years it's been more modern cameras with the built in hand grip (Nikon F5/D1, Canon 1D/5D/1V/1N). Heck, mostly all cameras look the same with the bulging right hand grip built-in!

For the last couple of days I've been carrying the F2 around and running a test roll, only to find it's aggravating a minor arthritic condition in my hand trying to hold it up (it has no grip, so my right hand is gripping harder than normal, I suppose). The weight of this fine machine with a 50/1.4 lens is actually a bit heavier than my EOS-1V with 50/1.4, but it's less ergonomic because of the lack of a grip. My doctor and I have been working on my hand condition for the last few years, but he says due to years of drumming and a lot of labor, it's just a sign of my age (really?). Obviously, it's a two-handed shooter because my left hand is supporting and operating the aperture ring on the lens, but the switch between hands because each one could be adjusting something, makes it increasingly difficult to use.

I'm a little bummed because I'd like to use this camera more, but I had no idea how over the last decade, I've grown dependent on the ergonomic battery grip! It's so easy for me to handle the 1V one-handed, I feel like I have no coordination at all with this F2, let alone the numbing effects after holding it up and about for an extended time. I'm not a little bummed, I'm really bummed!

I plan on showing this to my doctor when I see him, but I know there are probably people here much older than I with certain arthritic conditions. Has anyone here had to deal with this? How did you deal with it?

On those camera I don't grip the camera at all. I hold the camera securely with my left hand. My right hand is free to slightly touch the camera and operate all the controls like shutter speed dial, shutter speed lock, shutter release and film advance level.

 

[Rook]

The massive, on-steroids handgrip so prevalent on modern cameras has a particularly bad effect on new photographers: they don't learn how to hold the camera correctly. Specifically, how to use the left hand to support the weight of camera and lens, rather than the right hand. Using the same hand to support most of the weight and trigger the shutter is simply a bad habit and results in unnecessary camera shake. I've even seen some photographers regularly use their DSLR's one-handed to capture images, thanks to the handgrip. Their cameras better have good image stabilization... they are going to need it! Small to medium-sized cameras simply do not need handgrips, if held properly. The right hand shouldn't be squeezing anything, except the shutter button at the right moment.

 

[bo eder]

The massive, on-steroids handgrip so prevalent on modern cameras has a particularly bad effect on new photographers: they don't learn how to hold the camera correctly. Specifically, how to use the left hand to support the weight of camera and lens, rather than the right hand. Using the same hand to support most of the weight and trigger the shutter is simply a bad habit and results in unnecessary camera shake. I've even seen some photographers regularly use their DSLR's one-handed to capture images, thanks to the handgrip. Their cameras better have good image stabilization... they are going to need it! Small to medium-sized cameras simply do not need handgrips, if held properly. The right hand shouldn't be squeezing anything, except the shutter button at the right moment.

I suppose you're right. In the last ten years I've done exactly that whilst shooting my DSLRs. And these last couple of years I've "downgraded" to the tiny Canon SL-1 cameras with those Canon pancake lenses, and those are absolute featherweights! Maybe it's a good thing getting back into film - I can work on proper technique. But the whole hand-numbing thing and minor aches and pains is a real drag.

 

[Xmas]

I

You might find a little grip for your F2.
For the record I know someone has a handy grip on his F3 and it fits the F2 as well.
It is one of these 3rd party well made affairs that screws at the bottom.

Failing that, you can add a MD-1/2/3. But, you will be complaining about the weight.

It is a F2 grip but it fits a F3 ok.
A F3 has a mini grip bulge, which might be sufficient?
I'm badly handicapped with arthritis and neural damage but can tolerate naked cameras cause my hands are small.

A grip does allow portrait easier cause I shoot from hip instinctive point >95%...

Noel

 

[Trask]

The massive, on-steroids handgrip so prevalent on modern cameras has a particularly bad effect on new photographers: they don't learn how to hold the camera correctly. Specifically, how to use the left hand to support the weight of camera and lens, rather than the right hand....Small to medium-sized cameras simply do not need handgrips, if held properly. The right hand shouldn't be squeezing anything, except the shutter button at the right moment.

I'd posted this many months ago: White Photographer Yoichi Okamato shows us all how to hold a manual camera!

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I'm stared at when I use digital SLRs with manual focus lenses. I hole them as described above and people ask questions. They think it's a film camera and the F5 is digital. What's it matter?

 

[Jim Jones]

Before spending money on accessory grips, I'd advise the OP to experiment with building grips up from corrugated cardboard or foam core and attaching them with duct tape (black tape for a more professional look). It's a good way to determine the qualities one will eventually want in a permanent solution.

 

[Xmas]

The F2 grip I use on the F3 is annotated

NF GRIP (R) PHOTO EQUIP USA

PO BOX 662
WAYZATA. MN
55391

Aluminium and plastic

 

[bo eder]

Perhaps I should work on my technique if I don't stress out my arthritic condition. But I may do that with a lighter FM or something. We'll see. The F2 looks great on display on a shelf though.

 

[Xmas]

Hi

There is a big difference in weight between the standard lenses.

My late Nikkor /1.8 5cm AIs pancake 135gm
My /2 long nose 5cm AI 225 gm

So it is not just the body.