Are you left-eyed?

EQJohnson · Mar 22, 2009

I also am left-eyed and right-handed, been so for the 40+ I've had SLRs. Many years ago it was brought to my attention than SLR viewfinders are designed to best fit right-eyed shooters. I will admit it would be more comfortable if I used my right eye. I think that I am better able to hold my left eye open when looking through the viewfinder.

Jim Noel · Mar 22, 2009

Left eyed and right handed. Even though the lower third of my left eye field of vision is blind, I still use the left eye on those rare occasions when I focus a small camera.

Moopheus · Mar 22, 2009

I've always used my left eye with my SLRs, but recently have been having a harder time focusing with my left eye, which is a little nearsighted. So I have to focus with my right eye, and then check the framing with my left.

erikg · Mar 22, 2009

Left handed and right eyed. Depends on the camera but usually I rotate counterclockwise for portrait format.

Jeff Kubach · Mar 22, 2009

I wonder if you had dyslexia and was cross-eyed, what would happen then?

Jeff

pgomena · Mar 23, 2009

Right-handed, right-eyed, even though my right eye has developed a bit of astigmatism over time. I've tried going left-eyed, but it's just not "right". Worse is the age-related farsightedness. Can't see anything closer than about 6 feet without glasses. It's a real pain printing in the darkroom and when working in the field.

Peter Gomena

tessar · Mar 23, 2009

Have you ever noticed in pictures of famous (especially old-time) movie directors working on a set how many wear eye patches? I used to wonder about this until I realized that they were probably wearing the patches to shut out their non-dominant eyes. If you're checking compositions through viewfinders all day long this might reduce eye strain.

TheFlyingCamera · Mar 23, 2009

Left-handed, footed, and eyed. Although it doesn't matter as much when you're using either a waist-level finder or a view camera (my main preferences), it heavily influences my choice of cameras in 35mm and medium format - I want something that I can operate comfortably. My Rolleiflex is taking some adjustment as far as shooting style is concerned - I want to focus with my right hand and hold/trigger the shutter with my left, which you can't do as the focus knob is on the left.

darinwc · Mar 23, 2009

I am right-eyed, but I find it hard to keep my left eye closed, so I use my left eye when shooting.

Regarding the eye-patch. I think it may be so that they can use one eye without straining their eyelid musles in the opposite eye. Also, I find that when I close one eye the other eye tends to squint alot and it hurts after a while. If I hold a hand over one eye then the other one can see normally without having to squint.

What I would really like is is a 2nd eyecup on a camera to blind the opposite eye, but thats impossible with the design of most SLR's.

I shoot rifles left-handed also and I find it completely natural (even though im right-handed). I use my right hand to aim and all my left hand has to do is pull the trigger.

I wonder if left eyed/handed influences more photographers choices of cameras?

Ine thing I have been trying lately is looking through the viewfinder with my right eye but keeping my left eye open as well.
Works very well with a telephoto lens as you know where to point the lens.

Eric Rose · Mar 23, 2009

I'm right handed and left eyed. Could explain the constant internal battles that rage within me LOL.

winger · Mar 23, 2009

Left eyed, right handed, and left footed. According to my genetics prof, those genes are in order and it's "odd" for the middle one to be different from both of the others. One of my grandfathers was ambi-dextrous, so maybe some DNA migration started with him.

Paul Jenkin · Mar 23, 2009

I'm totally right side dominated - probably because my left eye doesn't work. I can see some stuff with my left eye but it won't focus or make shapes properly. Pretty useless, really!!

When I was buying my M6, the sales chappie said, "Oh, rangefinders are great. You can keep your right eye to the viewfinder and keep your left eye open to see what's going on around you - so you can predict what's coming into the viewfinder next". Great idea in principle but as I can't do that it was probably part of the reason I ditched the M6 and went back to SLR and MF photography.

Paul.

GeorgeDexter · Mar 23, 2009

I am right-handed and left-eyed. It was never a problem for my photography, though. I was taught how to tell which eye is dominant by a Marine rifle instructor at Boy Scout Camp. Eye dominance is obviously very important to gun shooting also. Being left-eyed is one more reason not to like digital, too. On a digital SLR, my nose lands squarely in the center of the LCD screen!

Steve Smith · Mar 24, 2009

My father always looked through the viewfinder with his left eye.

Just as well really as he was blind in his right eye!

Steve.

Nicole · Mar 24, 2009

Left eyed here

PBrooks · Mar 24, 2009

jgjbowen said:
Left eyed and left handed...but I hit a golf ball/baseball right handed...go figure

Actually, you are on the left side of the ball so .... this is still debated among teaching professionals.

Shangheye · Mar 24, 2009

I did my test and found I am both eyed!...Is that possible?

One other question for all you left-eyed people out there...When I use my right eye (and I have to say that is what I do)..I use my left eye to keep track of what is going on outside the frame. If you use your left eye and given most viewfinders on SLR's are biased and located towards the left side of the camera and with some controls on the right, does that mean your whole face is behind the camera?....I guess that technique is not for people with big noses..;-)) Kal

Are you left-eyed?

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