Left-eye shooting?

FHPhotographer · 01-18-2011, 12:38 PM

In another thread I talked returning my K-x because of my inability to see the VF data-line in bright sunlight. Lots of suggestions came in, but one came from another source who suggested left-eye shooting.

He says that allows a steadier hold, plus shades the VF better from extraneous light (particularly if you wear glasses as I do). I've always (automatically) used my right eye on the VF. Could it be this simple to solve my problem and get a K-x again?

All input welcomed,
Brian

kryss · 01-18-2011, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by FHPhotographer

In another thread I talked returning my K-x because of my inability to see the VF data-line in bright sunlight. Lots of suggestions came in, but one came from another source who suggested left-eye shooting.

He says that allows a steadier hold, plus shades the VF better from extraneous light (particularly if you wear glasses as I do). I've always (automatically) used my right eye on the VF. Could it be this simple to solve my problem and get a K-x again?

All input welcomed,
Brian

I have been a photographer for 50 years and have always shot using left eye and no I am not left-handed it has always seemed more natural to me. Good luck.

**arv** · 01-18-2011, 01:04 PM

I shoot with left eye (it's my dominant eye), and the only problem is that sometimes trying to make a quick shot LV turns on with nose

.

fotaki · 01-18-2011, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by arv

I shoot with left eye (it's my dominant eye), and the only problem is that sometimes trying to make a quick shot LV turns on with nose

.

I have the same problem - think it's my dominant nose.

To the OP, I've heard that the use of a supplementary V/F magnifier will help. Must try this myself someday!

FHPhotographer · 01-18-2011, 03:09 PM

fotaki, don't know that the VF magnifier will help. The data-line is large enough but not bright enough to see in daylight,
Brian

jolepp · 01-18-2011, 03:17 PM

It seems I get a better view into the viewfinder, especially the status line with my left eye so it should be worth a try.

sjwaldron · 01-18-2011, 04:01 PM

I'm right handed and use my left eye for the viewfinder. It just feels natural to me.

In sports I use my left or right hand depending on the sport... haha

sewebster · 01-18-2011, 04:18 PM

My right eye is dominant (and it's what I use in the viewfinder) but my left eye has better vision! I'm tempted to use my left eye for manual focus but it feels so weird.

I don't see why choosing a different eye would affect the amount of light that sneaks into the viewfinder though...

dgaies · 01-18-2011, 04:55 PM

I'd never even thought to use my left eye and I am right handed and right eye dominant as well. However, after reading this thread I gave it a try and was surprised that in a certain ways I preferred it. I may have to give this a try

song_hm · 01-18-2011, 06:15 PM

I use my left eye. It allows me to hold the left arm nearly vertical for improved stability.
It forces the right hand from taking the weight of the camera, which help minimize camera movement when depressing the shutter.

FHPhotographer · 01-18-2011, 07:23 PM

sewebstr, my thinking is that using the left eye, and the left hand to block some of the light, while leaving the right hand free for camera adjustment might help? Don't know, but I'm going to borrow a camera and try it out before plunking down more money. Buying, trying and returning is a pain in the butt,
Brian

paugie · 01-18-2011, 08:46 PM

Left eye user here. Seems more natural.

Ken T · 01-18-2011, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by paugie

Left eye user here. Seems more natural.

Same here . With that, my right eye by the way can be closed by my right hand and since then my left eye has better vision in the VF.

Jonathan Mac · 01-19-2011, 01:10 AM

I use my left eye because my vision is a little better in it. The x1.3 magnifier will make the problem worse because it obscures the sides of what is visible in the VF, unless your eye is exactly in the middle. I find the data line too dim to see in bright sunlight on my K200D so I rarely use it, I use the top LCD instead.

sewebster · 01-19-2011, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

I use my left eye because my vision is a little better in it. The x1.3 magnifier will make the problem worse because it obscures the sides of what is visible in the VF, unless your eye is exactly in the middle. I find the data line too dim to see in bright sunlight on my K200D so I rarely use it, I use the top LCD instead.

Yeah, I just use the top LCD for everything, so probably I just don't notice whether or not I can easily read the status line in the viewfinder.

01-18-2011, 12:38 PM	#1
FHPhotographer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,297	Left-eye shooting? In another thread I talked returning my K-x because of my inability to see the VF data-line in bright sunlight. Lots of suggestions came in, but one came from another source who suggested left-eye shooting. He says that allows a steadier hold, plus shades the VF better from extraneous light (particularly if you wear glasses as I do). I've always (automatically) used my right eye on the VF. Could it be this simple to solve my problem and get a K-x again? All input welcomed, Brian

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01-18-2011, 12:54 PM	#2
kryss Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alberta Posts: 218	Originally posted by FHPhotographer In another thread I talked returning my K-x because of my inability to see the VF data-line in bright sunlight. Lots of suggestions came in, but one came from another source who suggested left-eye shooting. He says that allows a steadier hold, plus shades the VF better from extraneous light (particularly if you wear glasses as I do). I've always (automatically) used my right eye on the VF. Could it be this simple to solve my problem and get a K-x again? All input welcomed, Brian I have been a photographer for 50 years and have always shot using left eye and no I am not left-handed it has always seemed more natural to me. Good luck.

01-18-2011, 01:04 PM	#3
arv Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 413	I shoot with left eye (it's my dominant eye), and the only problem is that sometimes trying to make a quick shot LV turns on with nose .

01-18-2011, 01:37 PM	#4
fotaki Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Greece and UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 309	Originally posted by arv I shoot with left eye (it's my dominant eye), and the only problem is that sometimes trying to make a quick shot LV turns on with nose . I have the same problem - think it's my dominant nose. To the OP, I've heard that the use of a supplementary V/F magnifier will help. Must try this myself someday!

01-18-2011, 03:09 PM	#5
FHPhotographer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,297 Original Poster	fotaki, don't know that the VF magnifier will help. The data-line is large enough but not bright enough to see in daylight, Brian

01-18-2011, 03:17 PM	#6
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	It seems I get a better view into the viewfinder, especially the status line with my left eye so it should be worth a try.

01-18-2011, 04:01 PM	#7
sjwaldron Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,235	I'm right handed and use my left eye for the viewfinder. It just feels natural to me. In sports I use my left or right hand depending on the sport... haha

01-18-2011, 04:18 PM	#8
sewebster Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 544	My right eye is dominant (and it's what I use in the viewfinder) but my left eye has better vision! I'm tempted to use my left eye for manual focus but it feels so weird. I don't see why choosing a different eye would affect the amount of light that sneaks into the viewfinder though...

01-18-2011, 04:55 PM	#9
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	I'd never even thought to use my left eye and I am right handed and right eye dominant as well. However, after reading this thread I gave it a try and was surprised that in a certain ways I preferred it. I may have to give this a try

01-18-2011, 06:15 PM	#10
song_hm Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797	I use my left eye. It allows me to hold the left arm nearly vertical for improved stability. It forces the right hand from taking the weight of the camera, which help minimize camera movement when depressing the shutter.

01-18-2011, 07:23 PM	#11
FHPhotographer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,297 Original Poster	sewebstr, my thinking is that using the left eye, and the left hand to block some of the light, while leaving the right hand free for camera adjustment might help? Don't know, but I'm going to borrow a camera and try it out before plunking down more money. Buying, trying and returning is a pain in the butt, Brian

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01-18-2011, 08:46 PM	#12
paugie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 168	Left eye user here. Seems more natural.

01-18-2011, 11:08 PM	#13
Ken T Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California, USA Posts: 536	Originally posted by paugie Left eye user here. Seems more natural. Same here . With that, my right eye by the way can be closed by my right hand and since then my left eye has better vision in the VF.

01-19-2011, 01:10 AM	#14
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,887	I use my left eye because my vision is a little better in it. The x1.3 magnifier will make the problem worse because it obscures the sides of what is visible in the VF, unless your eye is exactly in the middle. I find the data line too dim to see in bright sunlight on my K200D so I rarely use it, I use the top LCD instead.

01-19-2011, 11:18 AM	#15
sewebster Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 544	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac I use my left eye because my vision is a little better in it. The x1.3 magnifier will make the problem worse because it obscures the sides of what is visible in the VF, unless your eye is exactly in the middle. I find the data line too dim to see in bright sunlight on my K200D so I rarely use it, I use the top LCD instead. Yeah, I just use the top LCD for everything, so probably I just don't notice whether or not I can easily read the status line in the viewfinder.