holding for verticals

With a Pen F, vertical framing is a normal horizontal hold. Problem solved. 🙂

I've always been left-eyed, but using a Pen FT I can't see the meter needle in the finder unless I use my right. Was a bit awkward at first, but now I'm getting the hang of it. My left eye was always sharper until I got lasik in my right eye, now the right is sharper, so this helps too.
 
this is interesting, i always thought i was different for shooting with the shutter button down. but it seems like most left eyed, right handed shooters do that.
 
where does my eye go?


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Rob, I don't understand this "hot spot" business. If the metering pattern is bottom-centre-weighted (camera held horizontal), then for vertical shots you'll have to meter before you finally frame and shoot, yes?

Rick, most people find the image in the non-finder eye distracting and keep that eye closed.
 
payasam said:
Rob, I don't understand this "hot spot" business. If the metering pattern is bottom-centre-weighted (camera held horizontal), then for vertical shots you'll have to meter before you finally frame and shoot, yes?
Click to expand...

In the Cosina made cameras the metering pattern is "lower-left-corner-weighted" (camera held horizontal), so you can hold it vertical and meter, if you know which side should be up. Works well!
 
No matter how I turn, I always have to use my right eye. On the 13th of this month, it'll be five years since I lost vision in my left eye due to an explosives accident in the army, but such is life.

I haven't tried the button down -technique just yet, but I'll be sure to give it a try. Somehow, I think it might just be the thing for me.


-Sale
 
Thank you, MRohlfing. There must be a rational explanation for this strange design.

Sale, many of our concerns must seem absurdly trivial to someone in your position. The shutter down hold should work if your nose is neither too large nor too hard.
 
Not too trivial, it's really not a big deal as one gets used to the lack of depth perception, etc. I think it might actually help me visualize photos a little easier, since I don't have a feeling of depth from stereo vision, but that feeling of depth that I want in pictures, I see just by looking...no squinting required 😉


-Sale
 
"Not too trivial, it's really not a big deal as one gets used to the lack of depth perception, etc. I think it might actually help me visualize photos a little easier, since I don't have a feeling of depth from stereo vision, but that feeling of depth that I want in pictures, I see just by looking...no squinting required"

I'm strangely jealous. 🙂
 
This thread, just made me think.....
"how about holding the camera up-side down!!!"😀
The shutter button will be on the left side on the bottom and people having trouble with their noses will have no issues with their nose touching the camera!!!! 😛:dance:
 
Right eye. shutter button down and pressed by thumb. This works best for me because my fingers always seem to get in the way of the brightness viewfinder window in portrait shooting.

As for the beard, I shaved mine recently just for a change and some freshness in the summer heat - NOT because I was worried about my wife knowing where I'd been... though I understand that can be an issue for some....
 
Grip further complicates vertical hold

Grip further complicates vertical hold

Nice thread Mukul.

A further complication is the addition of a handgrip. I find that it makes vertical holding for portraits quite tricky. With the shutter button at the bottom it's not too bad, but with the shutter button up in the air, the whole contraption is a tad unstable.

May I add a question: For vertical, do you focus with the camera in 'landscape' mode, then swivel to 'portrait', or do you focus with the camera in 'portrait'?

Best wishes,

Sean.

In Tipperary, Ireland right now; about to set off to Morocco with just an M3 and 50 Summicron I think (I'm tempted to take more, but I think that just this combination with a meter, film, yellow filter, Gordy strap and small Billingham bag [the one made for the rangefinder Contax] will be enough)
 
kkr2k2 said:
"how about holding the camera up-side down!!!"
Click to expand...

I have actually done that a few times now, but for a different reason...

I have used it to take some photos of some rock shows with a Fed-2. When standing in the audience, it is a bit hard to frame so that the people in front of you will not block the view... And what makes it even harder is that the lens is lower then the viewfinder (so even if it looks fine from the viewfinder, something or somebody may be blocking the artist in the picture). Holding camera upside down gives a bit more "space" in this kind of situation. One just has to be carefull not to block tha rangefinder window when focusing, but otherwise it's usable technique in some situations.

I got to admit that I have uset it on a few shots only. More often I just hold the camera as high as my hands reach and quess the framing... 🙂 Not very stable hold though, but the fed-2 will not go under 1/25 anyway and even that is a bit slow for performing rock band.
 
Elektrojanis -
We called those overhead shoot & pray shots: "Hail Mary's."

Payasam - Re: both eyes open shooting:
In news situations you really need to stay aware of what's happening beyond the viewfinder to stay out of trouble.
 
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