Over a month ago now I did something to my back pulling a customers delivery up a hill and since then I've had a lot of difficulty moving, a 5 minute walk now takes 20 and crouching to get that shot is a no no, some of my pills also seem to make me shake a little.
I hope I will get my mobility back soon but I was wondering if anyone is in a similar position, how do you get out and take pictures and get your gear about?
I've had health problems all of my life, and have never been physically strong. Even before I had the stroke, carrying the big Canon setup I had was hard, but I did it because I liked the image quality I got. After the stroke, 'suffering for my art' by carrying too much weight became much harder and I finally got to where I couldn't do it anymore.
The little Olympus Pen-F I'm using has made life much easier. It is very light, and has incredibly good in-body image stabilization. Like you, I am shaky sometimes and the IS makes handheld shooting possible for me.
I can carry a bag with the Pen-F and the 12-40mm f2.8 Olympus zoom easily. The 12-40 is a big zoom by micro four thirds standards, but is tiny compared to a 24-80mm f2.8, which is the fullframe lens that offers the same angles of view. That lens covers nearly everything I need, though I own a few others, like the 7-14mm f2.8. If you need something pocketable, there are some TINY primes like the 25mm f1.8 (equal to a 50mm f1.8 fullrame lens).
Try not to push yourself too far. I used to be able to walk around all day shooting; can't do stuff like that anymore. Go out for a few minutes at a time, take frequent breaks to rest.
You might get a photographers vest, too. I know a lot of people here make fun of them, but the ones here who admit to wearing them are mainly professionals, so take the ridicule with a grain of salt. I find it much easier to carry things like an extra lens and a light meter, in my vest if I have to work for a long period of time. Doesn't cause shoulder and back pain like a bag does.
