Right or left handed

[f/16]

I'm left handed and have adapted to right handed cameras so well I don't think I'd like a left handed camera.

 

[removed account4]

doesn't matter for me, im right handed luckily,
but if i am trying to be ambidextrouse,
using a slr ( graflex ) or tlr ( 120 ) and use it left handed
i have a hard time focusing on ny shirt ...

 

[benjiboy]

Ben, I'm right handed and left eyed. I had a very hard time aiming when I trained on the M-16. Fortunately I didn't become cannon fodder in Viet Nam.

I'm glad you "didn't become cannon fodder in Vietnam" by being right handed and left eyed Dan, but from what I understand you were in greater danger with the early versions of the M16 from it jamming in combat if it was not cleaned regularly and having no way to eject the spent round in the chamber.:eek:

 

[Jeff Bradford]

Right-handed, left-eyed. In the US Army, I learned to aim with my right eye. I could never do it quickly, so they made me the radio guy. With a camera, my biggest issues are wearing glasses and having a big nose. I limit myself to cameras whose viewfinders can be dioptrically corrected or those with a waist-level viewfinder. Though I have always been somewhat ambidextrous (I can use tools or a paint brush in either hand, but can't write or eat with my left), my left arm is now partially paralyzed after an accident. Since then, I favor large cameras on tripods or small cameras that can be operated almost entirely in the right hand.

 

[thuggins]

Ben, I'm right handed and left eyed. I had a very hard time aiming when I trained on the M-16. Fortunately I didn't become cannon fodder in Viet Nam.

When it comes to shooting, that is the worst of all worlds. I can't use a left handed rifle because I don't have the dexterity to work the bolt, and I can't aim with my right eye. So the process requires switching hands for every shot.

With a camera it just means getting used to having your nose pressed against the back. One interesting thing that may be related, the Olympus FTL originally had a pointy handle on the film advance lever, similar to the 35SP. Since the FTL's viewfinder is in the middle, this handle would poke you in the (right) eye if you composed with the left. At some point the handle was made flat. I always wondered if this was intentional to avoid the eye poking.

 

[dpurdy]

Surprised to see so many right handed people have dominant left eyes. I am one also. Trying to shoot a shotgun right handed and aim with the left eye puts your nose behind your right thumb to take a hit when the gun kicks. My only rifle now is a bb gun that I use to chase the squirrels from the bird food. I find I can aim much better holding the gun like a left handed person.

With cameras we left eyed people have to jam our noses in the back of the camera. I wonder how many left handed people have dominant right eyes.

 

[Peltigera]

Incidentally, most people are left-eared. Look at people using telephones.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Incidentally, most people are left-eared. Look at people using telephones.

That is because they need their right hand to take notes. I am left handed and I hold the telephone to my right ear so that I can use my left hand to write. And yes my left ear will hear the telephone but holding the telephone to the left ear with the right hand is uncomfortable.

You remind me of Professor Pangloss in Voltaire's Candide1. Dr. Pangloss stated the the reason that the nose is between the eyes is so that the nose can hold spectacles.

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candide

 

[Theo Sulphate]

ExIaktas, with the release and wind on the left, are designed for right handed people; all other cameras are best used by lefties.

Exakta was the only camera maker to study the issue. They found it was best to use the right hand for the critical tasks of focusing and holding the camera steady. The less dexterous tasks of winding film and pushing the shutter button could be relegated to the left hand.

Hmmm... in that case, I'll have to contact Ihagee by post or telegram and request that they re-examine the issue, as I believe their conclusion is incorrect.

As a right handed, right eyed person (who also owns four Exaktas), I find the traditional configuration used by most cameras as being the most comfortable (i.e. left hand cradling the body and fingers used for focusing; right for gripping, releasing, and winding). The market has spoken.

 

[Sirius Glass]

 

[Rook]

Incidentally, most people are left-eared. Look at people using telephones.

I think that has mostly to do with the developed habit of keeping the right hand free to jot down notes, etc.

 

[removed account4]

Incidentally, most people are left-eared. Look at people using telephones.

i'm only left eared because i can't really hear out of my right one ... otherwise i'd be ambiaccousticous

 

[Arklatexian]

Most camera shutters are on the right. Does this affect people who are left handed? Would they prefer a shutter button on the left? Or does it make no difference?

My Rolleicord 4 has a cable release socket on the left side of the cocking lever. I use a "body release" for hand held (no tripod) shots. Does this affect people who are left handed? Certainly, however you get so used to using cameras right handed that having the release on the left side seems odd. The same thing applies after using right-handed drill presses, saws, etc. I always wanted a left-handed bolt action rifle which may still be manufactured. Gun makers looked more kindly toward "south-paws" than camera manufacturers ever did.......Regards!

 

[NedL]

i'm only left eared because i can't really hear out of my right one ... otherwise i'd be ambiaccousticous

lamb couscous? Yum.