How to change my eye?!

[RichC]

Not literally...!

I've always looked through the viewfinder with my dominant eye - the left. Using the right eye with a camera feels awkward and I can't concentrate on composing.

Unfortunately, my vision's deteriorated in my left eye to the extent that I'd like to use my right (non-dominant) eye.

What is the quickest and most effective way of training myself to use my right eye so that it feels entirely natural - just as it does with my left eye?

Is it just a case of persevering? Any tips? Any idea how long it takes?

Apart from better vision, it'll be nice not too smoosh my nose against the camera, and also be able to get to all the controls!

 

[DHK]

Talk to your ophthalmologist about how to make that transition, if they recommend it. I'm very sorry to hear about your vision loss, that's a stressful thing to go through, especially for those of us in the arts.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I can't recall which eye I used while I was younger. With DSLRs I used left. And only after getting back to RF I just forced myself to use right one. Not really forced, but just used it.
Having nose breathing freely helped for sure. Get yourself rangefinder camera. It will help to use right eye.

 

[retinax]

Pretty sure it's a case of persevering. Yes a RF camera will help because it blocks your left eye as you look through the finder with the right eye. So does an eye patch, some novice archers who have no clearly dominant eye or try to use the non-dominant one use one. You can train your non-dominant eye all the time by closing the dominant one for a while, just don't do it while driving or in public.

 

[Jamie123]

I'm no medical expert but my first thought was also to try an eye-patch. Maybe watch tv with an eye-patch for half an hour every day for a little while until it doesn't feel weird anymore?

 

[kbb]

Different folks have different degrees of eyedness. Those who are extremely habituated to a particular eye will have the most trouble switching. All of the suggestions made so far have been intelligent and reasonable.
I don't know if i ever had a strong preference. Most cameras...both stills and motion... I've used are set up, or seem to be set up, for using the right eye. A few are side agnostic, but not many.
The only idea I can think of would be that perhaps you could take the attitude that the if the camera maker wanted it that way, that's the way you should learn to do it. If you're shooting digital, make a lot of test shots with your "new" eye. Hundreds if necessary.

 

[jbielikowski]

I've done this when I bought my first Leica, took about a week or two, just grab at home you camera often and force yourself to use right eye until you develop new habit.

 

[Creagerj]

Definitely consult with a doctor who specializes. For what it is worth, I used an eye patch when I was younger to correct a problem where my dominate eye always "takes control" causing me to not see out of my other eye. In particular my doctor had me read with an eye patch over my dominate eye.

 

[RichC]

Thanks, bought an eye patch, so will see if that helps. Any other comments welcome!

Optician will have to wait until the virus lockdown is over. (The deterioration in vision is not an urgent medical issue - had an eye test before the virus kicked in.)

 

[Out to Lunch]

https://healthyliving.azcentral.com/how-do-i-change-eye-dominance-12395263.html


"How do I change eye dominance".

 

[Ambro51]

Use an open viewfinder, a “sports finder”.

 

[RichC]

Use an open viewfinder, a “sports finder”.

Not an option - I use a Sony A7R.

 

[Darthfeeble]

I'm left eye dominate but using it for a rangefinder was too awkward, I just started shooting right eyed and after a month or so it seemed normal. I shoot my one SLR format camera left eye and the rest right eye. I guess I'm bi-eye.

 

[Richard G]

Just persevere. How old are you? I did this in my mid 30s switching not just to a non-dominant but partially amblyopic right eye so as to get closer to the M Leica VF when I acquired a 35 Summicron. Second nature now. Took a month or two.