EX-3 ergonomics

[Ronnie Martin]

Great Post Paul: However, the EX-1 is my main camera for sports
(dirt car racing http://www.dirtracingvideo.com) and it literally kills my wrist. Most of the time I am way above the track during the race in a spot where it would be impossible to get up a tripod and most of the shooting is in a downward position. When each feature race is concluded and the cars go through tech inspection, I climb down and get to the track for the interview of the winner. Here is where I have the problem. When I take my hand from under the camera to adjust focus my old tired wrist on my right hand wobbles and many times ruins a good shot. Things happen quickly and when the interview is over and while the still photographers are taking their shots I run back up the bleachers and climb to my perch and get ready (breathlessly I must say) for the next race. During the heat of the season I shoot every weekend sometimes both Friday and Saturday nights. I have tried the wrist brace by Hoodman but I can’t climb up the ladder on the press box with it. Were it not for the dust and debris down close to the track I would leave another camera down there for just the winning interviews. (Also it could walk off.)
I bought a brace off E-bay and found that I could not see through the eye piece and that when the sun was up focus through the viewfinder was impossible. When I contacted the seller he had vanished with out a trace. Evidently he sold a bunch of the braces on E-bay and then suddenly stopped for some reason. Maybe because it wouldn’t work with the EX-1. I must admit that the brace was well constructed and balanced enough that I could climb with it. It was called a CB105.

Thanks again

Ronnie Martin
Kato Video Productions