I have been always been left eye dominant, as my left was always sharper than my right. This wasn't a conscious decision, as it started when I was a kid shooting rifles right-handed but sighting with my left eye.
I had lasik on my right eye about 20 years ago, and it became sharper than my left, but I still photographed left-eyed.
At first trying to shoot right-eyed was very odd/uncomfortable. But over time, I've gotten used to it and can now use either eye.
Old dogs *can* learn new tricks, after all.
Good luck, hope you find a good solution!
BillBingham2
Registered User
You know I was just thinking about a wire frame finder (aka sports finder).
B2 (;-<
B2 (;-<
Sumarongi
Registered Vaudevillain
Dear Akiva,
if you can close your right eye independently, one additional idea:
why not try to hold your favourite cameras upside down?
Of course one has also to become left-handed to an extent (unless we're talking about Exakta!).
Though I have no serious eye problem, I do that quite often, and it works really fine -- and I'm sure it will work also in your case, unless you have incredibly huuuuge hands !
/I'm 6 ft 5'', and my hands are correspondingly XXXL, and I have not the faintest problem even with a Barnack doing that
if you can close your right eye independently, one additional idea:
why not try to hold your favourite cameras upside down?
Of course one has also to become left-handed to an extent (unless we're talking about Exakta!).
Though I have no serious eye problem, I do that quite often, and it works really fine -- and I'm sure it will work also in your case, unless you have incredibly huuuuge hands !
/I'm 6 ft 5'', and my hands are correspondingly XXXL, and I have not the faintest problem even with a Barnack doing that
Guth
Appreciative User
How much time did you give wearing the patch? I have both strabismus and amblyopia in my left eye. I've had a couple of corrective surgeries in my lifetime and could use another one at this point, but each subsequent operation brings added risks (due to scarring of the muscle tissue I believe). However, I'm also neurologically incapable of processing full input from both of my eyes at the same time, so they can't fully correct the strabismus or I'll see in double vision all of the time. Due to all of this I've experimented a bit with an eye patch in the past for a few different reasons. I'll admit that I didn't care for this much, but I did find that the more time I spent with the patch the less irritating it became. Eventually I suppose that I could end up wearing a patch for a variety of tasks. My conditions will only worsen with time. If it eventually comes down to my needing to wear a patch for whatever reason I'm sure that I'll have a somewhat lengthy adjustment period on my hands. But I feel like I could grow comfortable enough with a patch that eventually I wouldn't give it much thought. The ironic thing is the actual vision in both of my eyes is still quite good.
If your preference would be to just go with an AF camera then I can understand that. But if you're truly unhappy about being forced to relinquish the cameras and lenses that you've come to prefer using, you might simply try giving the eye patch more time. Wearing it around the house when you're not focused on photography for example or during other situations when your not focused on photography. Just a thought. I'd also be curious to know if there are exercises that you can do to strengthen your left eyelid (you mentioned that it was weakened as opposed to damaged) to improve it's independent movement over time.
Like the others, I too am sorry to learn that this has happened to you. But I'm glad that you did not lose vision in your left eye. Whatever you end up deciding to do in the long run I hope that it works out for you as well as possible.
shawn
Veteran
Any of the version 2 or 3 Sony A7 series with the Tech Art Pro adapter would give you AF with your MF lenses. I have it and it works well.
Other options would be to train your self to switch eyes or to use a camera that naturally shields your left eye. On film a Prominent would do that as would Kodak Signet 80.
Or shoot a tlr.
Shawn
Other options would be to train your self to switch eyes or to use a camera that naturally shields your left eye. On film a Prominent would do that as would Kodak Signet 80.
Or shoot a tlr.
Shawn
kshapero
South Florida Man
words appreciated. Making the decision has proved harder than I thought. At present I am using my left hand to keep my left eye closed. Not a great solution.
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
So sorry to hear about your troubles, Akiva. Three hopeful points:
1) your mind is wonderfully plastic when it comes to vision;
2) you can re-train your brain to change your dominant eye (I have done this); and
3) I have been to your flickr page and your vision of the world is marvelous. I am confident that you will adapt and keep seeing the world in new and revealing ways.
Keep trying with the eyepatch. And if you can't make that work: Fuji.
Always with hope,
Benjamin Marks
1) your mind is wonderfully plastic when it comes to vision;
2) you can re-train your brain to change your dominant eye (I have done this); and
3) I have been to your flickr page and your vision of the world is marvelous. I am confident that you will adapt and keep seeing the world in new and revealing ways.
Keep trying with the eyepatch. And if you can't make that work: Fuji.
Always with hope,
Benjamin Marks
dave lackey
Veteran
Akiva,
What is wrong with AF? Just curious...
I have always used both MF and AF on many different formats and still do. TBH, I actually prefer AF. There is nothing magical with any camera for me, I just use them and enjoy the process... digital, film... it doesn't matter.
Life is too short.
I wish you well on your photographic journey, my friend.
What is wrong with AF? Just curious...
I have always used both MF and AF on many different formats and still do. TBH, I actually prefer AF. There is nothing magical with any camera for me, I just use them and enjoy the process... digital, film... it doesn't matter.
Life is too short.
I wish you well on your photographic journey, my friend.
stevierose
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Contax G2 system if you want autofocus rangefinder film experience, or as others have suggested, shoot with a 1:1 finder that allows you to keep both eyes open. I do that with the VC Bessa R3A and the 40mm lens.
sanmich
Veteran
Akiva, sorry to hear about your accident. I hope things get better...
about the possible solutions, It appears to me that it depends on your use:
Film or digital?
what focal length? (outside, with a 28 and lower, I don't even focus in the finder)
SLR or mirrorless?
If you are using a 50, beside the focusing issue, there are finders that can help you (1:1 ratio or even the Kontur thing)
I knew someone with a similar problem, and he was using SLRs and holding his left eye closed with his left thumb.
about the possible solutions, It appears to me that it depends on your use:
Film or digital?
what focal length? (outside, with a 28 and lower, I don't even focus in the finder)
SLR or mirrorless?
If you are using a 50, beside the focusing issue, there are finders that can help you (1:1 ratio or even the Kontur thing)
I knew someone with a similar problem, and he was using SLRs and holding his left eye closed with his left thumb.