Camera accessories: Is there a device that can help someone with arthritis use a camera?

It's important for people with arthritis to be able to continue to do the activities they love, including photography. There are a number of items on the market that may provide some assistance with maintaining this hobby.

Below are a few items that may be useful to support the weight of the camera:

• USA Gear Camera Wrist Strap with Padded Neoprene Design (at Amazon Canada) is a wrist strap with padding designed to prevent the camera from being dropped and provide stability when taking photos and videos. This item costs about $30 (CDN), plus an additional shipping fee. Depending on the joints most affected by arthritis, a neck strap may also be helpful together with the wrist strap. The JJC DSLR Neck Shoulder Belt Strap (at Amazon Canada) may be of interest to you. This item costs about $16 (CDN).
• Monopod by Manfrotto (at manfrotto.ca) is a single pole designed for a camera to be held steadier. There are several options compatible with a range of cameras and the prices are between about $50 - $350 (CDN), plus an additional shipping fee.
• Glide gear SNC100 Snorricam DSLR Vest Harness by B&H (at bhphotovideo.com) distributes the weight of the camera across the photographer’s upper body. This product costs about $270 (CDN), plus an additional shipping fee.

To help with the functioning of the camera, there are several shutter-release remotes on the market that can be connected to the camera. Below are three options that you may find useful, depending on the brand of camera you are using:

• Wired remote shutter release RS-60E3 by Neewer (at Amazon Canada) is about $20 (CDN), plus an additional shipping fee.
• TW-283 DC0 Wireless Shutter Remote control Wired Release Cable for Nikon by Pixel (at Amazon Canada) about $50 (CDN), plus an additional shipping fee.
• AmazonBasics Wireless Remote Control for Canon Digital SLR Cameras by AmazonBasics (at Amazon Canada) costs about $12 (CDN), plus an additional shipping fee.