The right size for ergonomy

[narsuitus]

For me, size and ergonomics are not necessarily correlated.

I have used large cameras that were ergonomically difficult and I have used large cameras that were ergonomically wonderful. For example, the Mamiya and Fuji medium format cameras were ergonomically better for me than the Hasselblad medium format cameras.

I have also used small cameras that were ergonomically difficult and I have used small cameras that were ergonomically wonderful. For example, the Nikon F2 35mm film camera was ergonomically better for me than the Nikon N70 35mm film camera.

 

[Dwig]

The focus in right hand grip by both commentators here and camera designers is a mystery to me. The right hand is mostly there to press the button, the left holds - less shake.

The "best" technique is that the right hand holds the lens from underneath and lets the body rest in its palm. The left hand grips the body so that the left index finger can squeeze down on the release. The right hand should not grip the body.

 

[Dwig]

As you would expect the difference to be between an SLR and rangefinder. ...

Wrong. It is not an RF vs SLR attribute.



Many RFs center the lens, generally fixed lens leaf shuttered models. Also some SLRs place the lens as far to the rewinds side as a Leica M; examples include, but aren't limited to, most Nikon models (F, F2, F3, FM/E family, EL, Nikkormat F-- family, ...).



The space needed for an SLR's mirror box doesn't pose a major problem in this aspect of design, except in the smallest bodies that also use a Leica-style horizontal FP shutter. There the need to fit both the mirror box and the supply spindles for the shutter curtains poses an issue. Compact bodies, like the Nikon FM/E family and otheres, bypass this problems by using vertical bladed shutters that don't require much space on the rewind side.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Wrong. It is not an RF vs SLR attribute.

Many RFs center the lens, generally fixed lens leaf shuttered models. Also some SLRs place the lens as far to the rewinds side as a Leica M; examples include, but aren't limited to, most Nikon models (F, F2, F3, FM/E family, EL, Nikkormat F-- family, ...).

The space needed for an SLR's mirror box doesn't pose a major problem in this aspect of design, except in the smallest bodies that also use a Leica-style horizontal FP shutter. There the need to fit both the mirror box and the supply spindles for the shutter curtains poses an issue. Compact bodies, like the Nikon FM/E family and otheres, bypass this problems by using vertical bladed shutters that don't require much space on the rewind side.

Some people just don't bother reading what you write. I very carefully used the word "expect" and not the words "always find", because you would expect rangefinder camera designers to locate the lens to the rewind side, close to the viewfinder, like on the Leica Ms, to minimize parallax error, though that it not always the case in practice. On some rangefinder cameras the lens is more toward the center, to provide approximately equal grippable areas on the left and right. Why? Generally because they are small and inexpensive, and the lens is fixed and doesn't focus close enough to worry about parallax error. With an SLR, you have more flexibility where you place the lens/mirror box. By the way, if you are gripping the camera with the right hand, you are holding the camera wrong. You should cradle the camera with your left hand for maximum steadiness. So designing for more grippable area on the wind side doesn't get you very much, though you may prefer it.

 

[Lss]

The "best" technique is that the right hand holds the lens from underneath and lets the body rest in its palm. The left hand grips the body so that the left index finger can squeeze down on the release. The right hand should not grip the body.

Which camera is this? Sounds like you should switch left and right there.

Or perhaps you mostly shoot selfies. 😀

 

[Dwig]

Which camera is this? Sounds like you should switch left and right there.

Or perhaps you mostly shoot selfies. 😀

Yeah, I'm dyslexic and amoung other issues, I frequently confuse left and right. My bad.

 

[Sumarongi]

The "best" technique is that the right hand holds the lens from underneath and lets the body rest in its palm. The left hand grips the body so that the left index finger can squeeze down on the release. The right hand should not grip the body.

Which camera is this? Sounds like you should switch left and right there.

Or perhaps you mostly shoot selfies. 😀

Yeah, I'm dyslexic and amoung other issues, I frequently confuse left and right. My bad.

Dwig: I definitely understand what you've written, literally: with regard to 35mm SLRs, I do quite often shoot having the camera upside-down, using an angle finder skywards 🙂

 

[Ko.Fe.]

If it is done right it could be size of Rollei 35.
Cameras with dump load of menues are so yesterday, IMO.

 

[Sumarongi]

If it is done right it could be size of Rollei 35.
Cameras with dump load of menues are so yesterday, IMO.

On the nose! 🙂

 

[seany65]

Ergonomics are a funny kettle of fish.

I once held a Pentax MX for a few seconds and put it down quick 'cos it just felt too small, but now I own a Ricoh 500GX which is even smaller but it seems to be 'the right size', even though I actually like Praktica PLC3's partly 'cos they 'fill my hands'.