R-D1, R3A: shooting with both eyes open

[vincentbenoit]

Just wondering, how many of you R-D1 / R3A users actually make use of the life-size viewfinder to shoot with both eyes open? Do you do it all the time or only with specific subjects, with specific lenses? Is focussing more difficult with both eyes open? Do you find it makes a difference in terms of interaction with the subject when shooting people close-up?

The reason for asking is that I've been handling an R3A at my local camera shop recently, and although it's not the first time I get a chance to play with this camera, this time I actually did try the "both eyes open" thing, and to my surprise I seemed to be able to focus properly (I can't tell for sure, of course, as there was no film in the camera 😉 ). Until then I had pretty much dismissed the idea that this would work for me at all because I'm left-eyed, and obviously shooting with both eyes open entails using the right eye to focus. (And don't tell me I could always hold the camera upside down 😛 )

I'm tempted to get an R3A and try this for good... or is it just not possible for a left-eyed person to focus accurately with his right eye?

Cheers
Vincent

 

[hoot]

Hi, Vincent.

While I've never handled the R3a and RD-1 (in fact, I didn't even know the latter had a life-size finder), I ran approximately 30 rolls through a 1950s Konica IIIa this summer. This camera likewise has a 1:1 finder. Focusing and framing with both eyes open was not a problem. This is a technique I like to use with people photography, as I prefer not to "hide" behind the camera. Even when not actively engaging the subject(s), I found that it felt a lot more natural to keep both eyes open. This was especially true when taking photos at a camping trip, where I was one of the counsellors and was taking snapshots while simultaneously performing other duties. Closing the other eye would have felt like I was neglecting my duties and just being a photographer, an outside observer rather than part of the team.

While I am right-eyed, I'm rather skeptical that anyone willing to make the change will be unable to do so. It might take a lot of intense practice, but it should be just as possible as learning to write with one's other hand.

Good luck, and let me know how you succeed!

 

[ducttape]

I used to be left eyed (who knew you could be any-eyed?) I would look thru my M body with the left eye and always get a nose smudge on the body! Anyway, when I found out I taught myself to be right eyed (I guess we all lean to the right as we get older) It wasn't difficult and now it's perfectly natural.

I also always try to shoot with both eyes open, even with a .72 M. I might close one for fine focus, but I open it for framing. Even at two different sizes the mind seems to be able to piece the puzzle together.

BTW, I LOVE my R-D1 body...

 

[Toby]

I'm left eyed and left handed but trained myself to focus right eyed for rangefinders. You adapt in no time at all . I now put my bessa R straight to my right eye without thinking, if I use my pentax 6x7 I put my camera to my left eye, no problem. I read somewhere that left handers adapt more easily because they live in a right handed world, I can only use scissors right handed for example. Are you left or right handed?

 

[vincentbenoit]

This is a technique I like to use with people photography, as I prefer not to "hide" behind the camera. Even when not actively engaging the subject(s), I found that it felt a lot more natural to keep both eyes open.

Hi, thanks for your reply. Yep, being left eyed is not only uncomfortable when it comes to using a camera (one's nose somehow gets in the way...) but most annoying is the fact that one's whole face is hidden. When I want to make eye contact with the subject I usually lower the camera so that I can look above it but this is far from ideal especially when the subject is moving.

 

[vincentbenoit]

I used to be left eyed (who knew you could be any-eyed?) I would look thru my M body with the left eye and always get a nose smudge on the body! Anyway, when I found out I taught myself to be right eyed (I guess we all lean to the right as we get older) It wasn't difficult and now it's perfectly natural.

How does one teach oneself to become right-eyed?

 

[vincentbenoit]

I read somewhere that left handers adapt more easily because they live in a right handed world, I can only use scissors right handed for example. Are you left or right handed?

I'm right-handed.

 

[Doug]

How does one teach oneself to become right-eyed?

Well, I switched from being left-eyed to being right-eyed by necessity as the cataract in my left eye got worse. Even after the cataract operation, I continued using the right eye at the viewfinder partly because it had become habit, and partly because the focus in that eye is better for distant objects. I suppose if one just started using the camera at the right eye and kept at it dilligently it might eventually become habitual...

 

[tedwhite]

I'm left-eyed. This is the eye I've always used in photography, regardless of the camera. I could care less if my nose oil smudges the camera back. I shoot a handgun left eyed but the gun is in my right hand, shoot a rifle left-eyed with the butt against my left shoulder. I eat right-handed, write left-handed, and tend to use hand tools with whatever hand works best.

Obviously a complete mess. Having said that, I would not sign on to training my right eye to do something my left eye can do much better. "Hiding" behind the camera is an idea I never thought about. The obvious and permanent solution to that perceived dilemma is the twin lens Rolleiflex. You look down at the camera, so your face is always visible to the subject, even if it's a tree.

After reading all the posts to this thread I grabbed my Bessa R and tried using my right eye, keeping my left eye open. I found this difficult, plus my right eye didn't seem to like the idea. Then I picked up one of my venerable Pentax Spotmatics. As the viewfinder is in the center of the camera body, does it matter to the subject which eye is being used?

Ted