Left-handed camera?

[Idoitforfree]

I was just kinda thinking, do left handed people find it difficult to use cameras? It was just a thought that popped in my head :rolleyes:

[cosworth]

Left handed here. no problem.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

No problem...I got used to it, just like can openers. :-D

[Harry Settle]

No problem here, I find that I get the best shots when using BOTH hands.

[BillsBayou]

No problem...I got used to it, just like can openers. :-D

Remind me to never ask you to take the CF card out of my camera :D

[cosworth]

I need a photoshop program and camera that overcomes my colour blindness now...

[hemuni]

There was a similar thread earlier today:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=153413

[reggie]

It is April the 1st tomorrow isn't it ????? Ha Ha !!!

[Curtis N]

When you are one of the gifted people who favor their left hand, you learn at a young age to use various tools made for the inferior, right-handed masses. I can use scissors, a fishing reel, and adjust the radio knobs in my truck with my right hand.

I remember when I bought my first computer that included a mouse. It would have been easier to set the mouse on the left side of the keyboard, but I put it on the right, since that would make it easier to use other people's computers. Besides, I know that if I put it on the left, it would just irritate my wife.

I hammer with my left hand, though. I use a regular, right-handed hammer.

[RJCONKLIN]

it is sinister to use your left hand.

[transcend]

What happens if you only have one arm? This must actually be a serious problem.

[wazmunstr]

ive never seen an slr user that is one armed... would be very tricky.

[Jon]

Us Southpaws are much more flexible than you "righties" who have to be so coddled.

;{)#

[bones]

I'm a lefty......ok here too. Mind you there are a bunch of things I do right handed and left handed or both.

Lar

[bones]

Besides Jon.......seeing as how the biology of how the brain works in relation to being left or right handed. For info a right handed person uses the left side of their brain. The left handed people the right. Therefore my conclusion is..........

Lefties are the only ones in their right mind.

Lar

[Idoitforfree]

ive never seen an slr user that is one armed... would be very tricky.

If you love somthing you'll overcome it....I watched a guy with one arm almost knock in a hole in one once...It look effortless...

[Doc Nickel]

My brother is left-handed, and he's way better with his "dumb" hand than I am. Damn near everything was designed with right-handers in mind, so there's no drive for us righties to use our off-hands for as many tasks.

As noted already, the lefty has to use the occasional- or frequent- righthand item; can openers, scissors, the lever on the La-Z-Boy...

But keep in mind how many other things are also righty-centric. The number pad and enter/delete/pgup/pgdn keys is on the right side of most keyboards. The spray hose is on the right side of most kitchen sink faucets. The timer knob is on the right side of the washer/dryer panels. Car radio and climate controls are on the right. Gear shift levers. Most doors are hung biased toward righthanders. Camcorders.

And, as in the OP, I don't think I have ever seen a left-handed camera. About one-fifth of the pupulation is sinistral, from what I understand, why doesn't some company bring out even a point-and-shoot rebiased a bit towards the lefthander?

In these days of electronics, it wouldn't require anything more than shifting an electronic button to the left of the case, maybe shifting the lens a little more toward the center so the holder doesn't accidentally cover it with a finger, and shoving the LCD to the right for the same reason.

Ditto a "lefty" D-SLR, except the development and tooling costs would be higher. And I'd wager that most serious-amateur and pro lefty photogs have been forced to use righty-centric cameras for so long, there'd be little benfit to switching. That's the kind of thing that'd be be aimed towards the new shooter... but just think, hook a kid on a lefty DSLR, and if you're the only manufacturer to make them, you've got a customer for life. :D

Doc.

[SWPhotoImaging]

Have you sen this one? Ken Rockwell had it as a loaner from Nikon. The pic and story are on his site.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm

From Ken's Homepage:
"The left handed Nikon F100 you see on my home page was loaned to me for beta testing in 1998 when Nikon was considering producing a left handed version of the F100. Yes, I also wear my watch on my right arm and if you think I'm kidding just click the image on my Contact page for the original hi-rez film scan where you can see for yourself it's not just a flipped negative. Nikon decided against producing the camera, but let me keep the beta on indefinite loan as thanks for all my input. It of course remains property of Nikon Japan. I may not sell it, although it would fetch a pretty penny in the collector's market. I have to return it to Nikon eventually, and of course when it breaks it won't be repaired. I even had a veterinarian friend in Africa who specializes in elephant care send me some phallus hide from the Loxodonta Africana (known for its flexibility and grip when wet) which I then had a local taxidermist apply to my camera in place of the original rubber. It took a lot of paperwork with the U.S. Dept. of Fish and Game but at least it doesn't peel off on my D1H as the rubber does."

[Az2Africa]

The all important "focusing" should only be attempted with the LEFT hand.:p :lol:

[shutterbug6500]

What happens if you only have one arm? This must actually be a serious problem.


I know a photographer that works for Wolf Camera that only has nubs for all of his fingers (both hands) except for like maybe two of them. I was amazed at how well he could handle cameras. Sure didn't seem to slow him down any.

[nadtz]

There have been lots of studies about lefties in various ways. Since we are (generally) smarter and much more pleasing to the eye, is it any wonder we adjust to using our right hands so well?

[pat3rol]

Which eye do you use? Im a lefty and i use my left eye on the viewfinder.

[Idoitforfree]

Which eye do you use? Im a lefty and i use my left eye on the viewfinder.
right eye

[sam walker]

I have a left hand that no longer functions. I agree that the best photos come from DSLR cams I'd like to have one but couldn't focus it. I shoot the S2 with AF on and powered zoom. Sight with the left eye.
Sam

[Moppie]

Car radio and climate controls are on the right. Gear shift levers. Most doors are hung biased toward righthanders.

My front door is best opened with the left hand, and I would have trouble changing gear or operating my car radio with my right hand ;)


I don't know what I would do with left handed camera, Iv got so used to falling to the will of the majority that useing my right hand on the shutter just feels right.
Although I must admit the first time I tried to manualy focus an SLR it was much easier than I expected it to be :D

[Digitalwave]

I write left handed, but I do almost everything else right handed. I throw, swing, surf & skate, and do almost everything right handed, except I hold forks/knives/spoons with my left hand. I guess that makes me ambidextrious (sp).

[joejones]

Growing up in Catholic schools in Chicago, I have vivid memories of the catholic nuns beating my left hand with the metal edge of a foot-ruler, telling me that I was the spawn of satan for not using my right hand like "normal" children.

I tried and tried to get my letters to slant the way they were supposed to, but obviously the letters were going to slant to the LEFT because the PAPER was still oriented for a right-handed person, as i was instructed to place it on the desk.

It was one day in penmanship class, when Sister Mary Tarantula stood over me like a vulture awaiting her wreathing prey to gasp it's final breath, telling me that I was just too stupid to learn how to write correctly.

"You idiot!" she growled ..." you're letters are supposed to slant THIS way!" as she struck violently across my paper with her red pen. Her mark was nearly perpendicular to the direction my letters were slanting. I paused for a moment, and looked at her red line. then I placed my pencil over the line, and rotated the paper under the pencil until MY letters matched HER desired angle, and began writing again. My penmanship was instantly perfect in form and orientation. I'll never forget the look in her face, as she pulled her head back, and walked silently to her desk, trying to repeat my "amazing feat" on her own desk with a pen and a piece of paper.

From that day on, I got 'A's in penmanship, and a visit from my mom to the Mother Superior didn't hurt either! She told the nuns that her son was LEFT-handed, and she was paying tuition for them to teach me how to write with my LEFT hand "as God intended."

To this day, I believe my bad back is due to the formative years I spent twisted 90 degrees to my right, to get my left hand over onto the little wooden RIGHT-handed writing slab as ALL desks were designed, to make RIGHT-handed penmanship comfortable. It wasn't until the sixth grade that I was able to receive a "special" LEFT-handed desk! The school ordered a few of them, and had ONE in each of my classrooms, just for lil' old me! Other classrooms had them too, but if I have any claim to fame, it is that of forcing the Chicago catholic schools to accomodate LEFT-handed students! ADA wasn't even a thought back then, so I was a bit of a maverick!

[runninmann]

I love April Fool's jokes. Check out the buttons on Ken Rockwell's shirt in the "original hi-rez film scan". They button right-over-left as a woman's shirt does, not left-over-right as a man's would...unless this is actually a reversed image, perhaps?

Oh yeah, and elephant penis skin for better grip?

[KatmanDu]

Oh yeah, and elephant penis skin for better grip?

It turns into a D2X if you rub it. :) :)

[karusel]

We're adaptable and I think there is no need to even consider making left-handed cameras. I'm right footed, left eyed and right handed and my left hand isn't all that dumb. I can, for instance, swing the axe or the sledgehammer with either hand up front equally good. I think it wouldn't take me more than a few days to fully adapt myself to using the mouse with my left hand, but then again, what's the use?

edit: I've been using the mouse lefthanded for a few minutes, feels awkward, but it's not difficult.

[pumba75]

I'm a 'keggie hander' - apparently I will live 7 years less than a right hander

[Jon]

I'm a 'keggie hander' - apparently I will live 7 years less than a right handerThat's because they go out of their way to make things difficult for us! If it's possible to make something that's safe only for right handers, the right-handed person will do so. If it's possible to make something that's generally safe, it was invented by a southpaw.

[JBF]

I'm a lefty, but only writing. I do everything else right handed. Golf right handed, push the wrong buttons on top of my 5D right handed.

[Dante King]

Lefty here! I had my 1dsmk2 custom made for my left hand :);) (yes kidding). Alas like my fellow genius lefty brothers I have learned to deal in a right handed world. Funny thing is that all the men in my family line have been lefties for generations, Well except for my son. I tried and tried, but wifey got real pissed. Oh well, I still love my right handed boy! What is a father to do?

[Moppie]

What is a father to do?


If they could teach my grand father to write with his right hand, then Im sure with a big enough stick you can teach your father to write properly to ;)


You know whats missing in the world, a class action law suit by left handers, against right handers, sueing for pain and suffering :D

[Dante King]

If they could teach my grand father to write with his right hand, then Im sure with a big enough stick you can teach your father to write properly to ;)


You know whats missing in the world, a class action law suit by left handers, against right handers, sueing for pain and suffering :D


Its my son that broke the chain, that is my pain to bear thru life.

Where do I sign up for that class action suit?

[karusel]

Don't give up, you should teach him how to be ambidextrous, the chain still won't be broken and your wife won't be pissed.

[and1145]

What about eyes?? I use my left eye, I can't help it, I just find it easier!!
I have noticed nearly everyone else uses their right eye to the viewfinder!

Is it me or is it about 50/50??????????

Andy

[René Damkot]

I used to use my left eye, and occasionaly still do. I started using my right eye when I started using Nikons: the light meter on some models is only turned on whith the advance lever out a bit... Sticks into your right eye when viewing with your left. ;)

[chris clements]

Presuming that a left-handed body mirrors all the layout, I'd consider one, though I'm right handed.
I'm strongly left-eyed, so would love a body with the viewfinder set to the right side.

[lost]

I write left handed, but I do almost everything else right handed. I throw, swing, surf & skate, and do almost everything right handed, except I hold forks/knives/spoons with my left hand. I guess that makes me ambidextrious (sp).


Ambidexterity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambidextrous)FYI from wikipedia


I am ambidextrous/cross dominant. I can write with only my right hand and perform most tasks with my right hand but my left eye is dominant there for I look through the view finder with my left eye.

I also shoot long guns lefthanded and pistols right handed. I "can" shoot long guns right handed and pistols left handed, but it is not as comfortable.

And I can use a mouse with either hand as long as the function of the left and right mouse buttons are swapped.

[lost]

What about eyes?? I use my left eye, I can't help it, I just find it easier!!
I have noticed nearly everyone else uses their right eye to the viewfinder!

Is it me or is it about 50/50??????????

Andy

You are probably left eye dominant. Follow these instructions (http://www.archeryweb.com/archery/eyedom.htm) to find out. Cross dominance is very common. Most people do not even realize until they get it to sports such as baseball or shooting sports.

[PaulEY]

That's odd I am right handed (please don't hurt me) but I use my left eye through the viewfinder.

[dewmuw]

adjust the radio knobs in my truck with my right hand.



If the rest of the world was a civilise as the UK then you'd be driving on the left and using your lefthand to twiddle the radio. Fools! :D :D :D

[and1145]

You are probably left eye dominant. Follow these instructions (http://www.archeryweb.com/archery/eyedom.htm) to find out. Cross dominance is very common. Most people do not even realize until they get it to sports such as baseball or shooting sports.

Hey thats so simple and so cool !!!!!!!!! :)

Andy

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

Another lefty here, the only one in a family of 7 children, and my Dad was left handed until the nuns worked him over at school in Montreal.

Lefty's die early due to the hazards of a right handed centric world, and I'm really surprised that insurance companies don't use this as a stat.:confused:

But the advantage of using our right hands so often, means quicker training when required: Broke my left baby finger and was writing with my right hand with-in days. Unfortunately I can't learn languagesthat fast!

Picked up my international driver's license and have driven in previously refered to civilised countries without too much issue.

The real problem is when I took up golf, finding clubs was a pain! Now thanks to Mike Weir and Phil Mickleson, all brands carry good clubs!

The only other issue was my ball team didn't like it when I caught or played first base.

As to the hammer, I've convinced some people I have a special hammer, the head is beveled opposit the normal hammer.

Chain saws and circular saws are still difficult...............

And neither of my kids are sinster sided.

Do we qualify as a special interest group, or even handicapped? (Seriously just trying to be funny, even if it is not PC)

[okiebass101]

man it is good to see the all the lefties...i had to get my camera out to really see what eye i used.. i shoot a bow and a gun with my left eye but never really thought about the camera.. i find alot of things i don't think i would like left handed.. a fishing reel for one ... cause a person from the dark side has to cast with there right then change hands to reel..
curtis

http://allensphoto.smugmug.com

[Idoitforfree]

You are probably left eye dominant. Follow these instructions (http://www.archeryweb.com/archery/eyedom.htm) to find out. Cross dominance is very common. Most people do not even realize until they get it to sports such as baseball or shooting sports.

Thats odd....Im right handed, but says I'm left eye dominent...I play hockey left handed, golf right handed, bat "switchy" and throw right handed. :)
and I use my right eye on the camera

[chris clements]

I'm left eye dominent... and I use my right eye on the camera
Then you're right eyed, whatever the test says

[epoh]

"Lefty's die early due to the hazards of a right handed centric world, and I'm really surprised that insurance companies don't use this as a stat."

Actually, that's not necessarily true. The 'study' that came up with that beautiful conclusion was rather weak. They came to that conclusion simply because the percentage of lefties decreases among older people. A fact that can very easily be explained by the nun and such forcing them to become righties as children. Teachers don't do that anymore, so we've got more lefties.

(another Southpaw here...)

[SoaringUSAEagle]

Car radio and climate controls are on the right.

So you'd rather sit in the middle of the vehicle just to have the nobs on the left? lol

[lakiluno]

look at ken rockwells image. As someone else has said, his shirt buttons wrongly, but not only that, His watch is the wrong way round! Unless he reads a watch upside down, that is just photoshopped to pieces!!!

http://www.kenrockwell.com/Images/KenLens3k.jpg

edit: theres more...in all his other pictures, his parting sweeps to his right, while in that image, it sweeps to his left.

FRAUD!!!!

Leo

[yenoram]

ive never seen an slr user that is one armed... would be very tricky. Actually, there is a one-armed professional sports shooter in BC Canada. He's missing one of his arms from just below the elbow. He rests his camera on this arm. I can't recall what paper he shoots for but I've seen him at football games and at local soccer games. It's pretty amazing actually.

[SWPhotoImaging]

Actually, there is a one-armed professional sports shooter in BC Canada. He's missing one of his arms from just below the elbow. He rests his camera on this arm. I can't recall what paper he shoots for but I've seen him at football games and at local soccer games. It's pretty amazing actually.

Hmm, a new niche market. Prosthesis with ball-heads or Arca plates at the end . . .

[Idoitforfree]

Hmm, a new niche market. Prosthesis with ball-heads or Arca plates at the end . . .

For some reason that statement just seems wrong...but in reality it might not be such a bad thing...:o