Photography and Arthritis

[jmooney]

Hi All,

I'm looking to see what those of you that suffer from arthritis of the hands and wrists use and find that works well for you from an equipment standpoint.

Yes I'm young (33) but I have what's known as Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA, it's an auto-immune arthritis, not your run of the mill old folks arthritis.

It affects several fingers on each of my hands and also both thumbs and my left wrist.

What gear works well for you? What type of accessories have made it easier for you to photograph? What hasn't worked?

I shoot 35, MF, and LF, and some digi so any and all advice or opinions are welcome.

Take care,

Jim

[RMP-NikonPro]

Have you tried copper bracelets?

I don't have RA, But for years I've suffered from Cold injuries in my hands Wrists & Feet, (Military Service) plus Many Broken bones (Many Motorcycle accidents!)

My be a shot in the dark, but I've worn one (copper bracelet) for over a year now and most of my Aches & Pains I've forgotten!

[Rick A]

Hi Jim-- My condolences on the RA. I suffer from osteo-arthritis, you call it old mans arthritis. I have my good and bad days, and there is nothing I can take to alleviate the pain. I use hot packs(a microwaved rice bag) helps sometimes. My biggest problem with my hands, is the pinched nerves in my neck from five collapsed discs. Most days, I have almost no sensory reception(other than pain)in my hands, which makes it difficult to load film reels for processing. I also have three collapsed disks in my lumbar, that limit walking. Exercise and stretching do help, but not enough. Most days I feel like I'm walking bare foot on sharp rocks, those are the good days. the rest of the time, it feels like spikes or razor blades. Some times I can wear carple tunnel braces on my wrists and that helps with my thumbs, but man when they hurt, there is nothing that takes it away. I refuse to take the meds that are available, as they cause more harm than help. All I can tell you is try out different gadgets until you find what is useful. Modify some of your gear and personalize it. I use my tripod a ton now. I'll pray for your healing.

Rick

[Christopher Walrath]

My brother has RA triggered by an auto accident in 98. Couldn't peg it because my great grandmother had it. But I am familiar with the effect it can have on someone. I would say anything lightweight but not necessarily small. Get something that doesn't feel like your lugging around a full suitcase. But not so small that you cannot manipulate the controls. I would think your average modern 35mm SLR would fit the bill. This is not to limit you 'cause you're gonna have good days where you could deal with a Hassy or an RB67, maybe even set up a LF. There are days where you won't be able to adjust a camera strap. Left wrist would affect the ability to focus. Thumbs might be alleviated by an auto winder.

[jp80874]

Jim,

Sorry of hear of the RA. I have old man's arthritis of the hands and a not so strong back. You are welcome to what ever of this information that might help you. I will be 70 in March, carry my gear in the following and hike 8-12 miles a week with two Labrador Retrievers. My doctor and their vet say “motion is the best lotion.” When I think that won't work both the 12 year old dog and I take Tramadol Hydrochloride 50 mg twenty minutes before a hike. Ask your doctor if this would help you. Your pain may be too strong for this because it is pretty mild. I posted the following on the LF Forum in a thread about old folks and baby joggers. Hope there is something here that will make easier.

http://babyjogger.com/perf_jogger_lp.aspx the Performance single by BabyJogger

It has 20 inch wheels and 100 pound shocks. The larger wheels help you over uneven terrain, offer less rolling resistance and the shocks make the ride smoother on your gear. I bought mine second hand on eBay three (now five) years ago. That vintage only had a front brake. There is not much weight on the front, so the parking brake doesn’t do much for you. The current model has a parking brake that locks the rear wheels. Lacking that I usually just wedge it up against a tree, rock, or fence.

Today I carried seven 7x17 film holders in a bag on the bottom rails; a 12” x 12” x 10” cooler bag full of lenses, meter, loupe in the seat, and a 7x17 RH Phillips mounted on a big Ries. The tripod spikes go through two holes cut in the foot rest. The tripod leans on the cooler bag and is bungied to the shocks and axle. When I stop, the camera, tripod and tripod head are all connected for instant set up.

I have used this jogger for 4x5, 8x10 and 7x17. The only modification was drilling two holes for the tripod spikes in the foot rest. I also carry 60 feet of ¼” line and a water bottle. I added a bicycle handlebar compass to tell what time to return if the light is not what I need now. A hand held compass would be as good, if not better. The rig allows me to go out two miles from the car on trails. I can usually find a parking space closer then that.

My MF is a Mamiya RZ67 so it weighs about the same as my 4x5 or my 8x10 and would be a good candidate for this. I just prefer a bigger negative now.

John

[Mahler_one]

Jim: Your disability is one that you can overcome. Indeed, it sounds as if you have made a good start, and are able to do almost everything that is necessary. Some of the obvious steps to take would include making your set up on the tripod as easy as possible, using a camera of relatively light weight, mastering the use of one lens for most of your work, etc. A suggestion that might not have occurred to you: Canham cameras are made here in the USA, and the maker and "founder" of the camera company is easily accessible, and extremely helpful and pleasant. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he might be able to modify one of his cameras to make such easier for you to use, i.e. knobs and controlls that are larger and easy to grasp and turn and a back ( bail back? ) that might be easier to use as well. Why don't you consider giving him a call, and telling him of your problems and asking him about some possible solutions? His site is easily located. Also, the suggestions about using a cart to roll your equipment sounds great. Mr. Canham might be able to make your camera ready for instant use similar to what has been detailed above. Hopefully you will not have that much trouble loading film holders, because unfortunately, ready holders are no longer available for many films. As far as developing....well, a Jobo would appear to offer great advantages. The tanks are easy to load, and once loaded the process is very simple except for the need to raise and lower the lift, and pour in solutions. One would hope that using the enlarger is still possible. However, if not, contact prints of your large negatives is definitely possible, and relatively easy on your hands and muscles. You can probably sit down during the entire process. Alistair Ingliss makes a front loading contact frame that is very much easier to use than the back loading frame, and no hard effort is necessary to close and secure the frame. Finally, try to standardize on chemicals that are easy to mix from either powder or liquid. In your case is might be easier than weighing out individual components. Feel free to PM me for more details. I am a retired MD...not a rheumatologist, but nevertheless, perhaps I can help you with some of the practical aspects.

[Photo Engineer]

Have you tried copper bracelets?

I don't have RA, But for years I've suffered from Cold injuries in my hands Wrists & Feet, (Military Service) plus Many Broken bones (Many Motorcycle accidents!)

My be a shot in the dark, but I've worn one (copper bracelet) for over a year now and most of my Aches & Pains I've forgotten!

Placebo effect.

If not, take copper pills.

Try taking pictures with familial tremor.

PE

[RMP-NikonPro]

Placebo

Could be! then could everything just be in the Mind!

[mopar_guy]

Jim,
I am sorry to hear about the RA. While I don't have arthritis (either kind) I did have problems with my knees a few years ago. I second what Rick said about avoiding pain meds as long as you can. Any pain medication will have a tendency to be less effective the longer you take it. I hope that you have more good days than bad. You are in my prayers.

Dave

[whlogan]

You don't need another sob story. The Vietnamese put me in a wheelchair some years back which medicare turned into an electric scooter a couple of years ago and I now work with a Rollei SL66, Bronics SQ's, a Bronica GS1 but mostly with a bunch of Rollei TLR's. The TLR's are light especially reliable and of super quality; easy to use and just great. I am going on a trip to Monument Valley in the Spring and all that stuff is getting to go. The TLR's will probably carry most of the load. I have an old Tele Rollei (135mm Distagon) and a .7 Mutar making a 75mm Tessar into A 52.5mm.... I love the SL66, but it weighs a ton. The SQ is super but again, weighs a ton. Get light stuff. Rolleis are best above all else. Use Trix or Plus X and you'll never be sorry.

Logan.... see you guys out on the road somewhere...... '73 and still kickin