john_brown8

<p>You might consider using the little Canon S90 some of the time. It would certainly provide relief, but also is much less intrusive and in-your-face than the Beast. Different tools give different opportunities, and the S90 has lots of good opportunities. Also, getting your left hand even farther out on the Beast's lens will help a lot. If you were simply carrying a big camera from one place to another you would not carry with both hands at one end, but with one hand at each end. Clearly this is an issue to solve earlier rather than later. </p>

I bought a Panasonic FZ30 from Adorama in early January. I have had nothing but good experiences with it. I have not pressed hard, perhaps, but noise has yet to be a problem.

I hope your transaction has worked by now.

Regards.