Does anyone else do this! or am I crazy?

[viewfinder-m2]

Hello all,
While practicing my shooting techniques today 😉 with my M2 and accessory 40mm viewfinder, I came upon an 'epiphany'. I have found out since then that I focus better with my left eye than my right, which led me to get a Rapidwinder (M2) via T.Abrahamsson. (I love the fact that I do not have to remove my camera from my eye when shooting!) However, it definitely can cost me seconds upon catching a good shot, fleeting expression, etc. when focusing first with my left eye through the rangefinder patch then switching to the viewfinder to compose with the same eye. Upon trying out different techniques, I arrived at the conclusion that I compose better with my right eye! It is also a faster method when one is using a separate viewfinder! All I have to do is focus with my left, then when I am 'locked in' I only have to move the camera 'just a touch' to my right eye to compose as opposed to focusing with my left eye and then almost turning my face to compose with the same eye. It may sound like a little thing to many, but it is a huge thing to me and to anyone else that knows the feeling of discovering something on their own and especially for his/her own benefit.
Would love to hear your comments.
P.S. Am I crazy or just obsessed?!
MIKE

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Hi Mike -- you're definitively not alone, if that's any comfort; it's not common, but not unusual. From what you describe it sounds like you could use a prescription for your right eye (disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor anything of the sort; just a human with opinions).

I'm guessing you are also mostly-left-handed, but sounds like your dominant eye is the right (as in "not the left") eye. I focus and compose with my left eye, but I have noticed that when I go to fairs and aim at shooting galleries, I tend to aim with the right eye, but that's because that's how I was taught. If I really want to aim "right", I have to do it with my left eye. Go figure.

And are you obsessed? Hmm...hang around here a bit longer; you'll find that that is a very relative question. 🙂

Welcome to RFF!

 

[pvdhaar]

I guess it works for horizontal shots, but what I'm really interested in is how you handle the vertical ones 😉

 

[sf]

I know that feeling, to some extent. I want to use my right eye, but can't because it has such horrid vision that I can't even really compose with it - let alone focus with it. So the back of my camera gets all wet with breath as I use my left eye. But I have grown into my left eye more or less.

It is good to find out what makes things better, though. Growth is good.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I'm normally left eye focus and compose and use a trigger winder.

But I'm trying to get into right eye focus and compose, with left eye open also scoping around the bigger picture.

 

[lubitel]

I wonder if there is such a thing as a left handed Rangefinder?

I never thought of focusing with my left, I'll try it.

 

[sfb_dot_com]

Being left-handed and left eyed I tend to do everything with that eye, but as has been mentioned above, my now rapidly declining sight (sigh!) is worse in my left than my right.

Might be time to slow down and buy that LF camera!

Andy