camera for left (single) handed
24,203 posts
Link
Posted 16/03/2023 - 10:25
Exacta 35mm film cameras from the 1950s onwards, but noew discontinued. It is possible that Alpa also made a left handed camera, but not 100% sure on that.
Left handed people unfortunately have to struggle on with right handed cameras, the modification has to be the user themselves! Perhaps using a remote control with a tripod mounted camera would be a possibility?
Best regards, John
Left handed people unfortunately have to struggle on with right handed cameras, the modification has to be the user themselves! Perhaps using a remote control with a tripod mounted camera would be a possibility?
Best regards, John
Link
Posted 16/03/2023 - 11:36
It sounds like the difficulty is someone not just being left handed but only having one hand at it's the left hand!
So they are looking for a camera that can be used with just one hand and it being the left hand.
Best regards
Mike
So they are looking for a camera that can be used with just one hand and it being the left hand.
Best regards
Mike
Link
Posted 16/03/2023 - 16:56
It shouldn't be too difficult to make something work. You'd have to control 2 things, focus, and shutter release. Everything else can be set beforehand. So, you need a wired or wireless remote that could be attached/glued/gaffer taped to an off-camera flash bracket, for example. AFAIK wired releases for Pentax don't have a focus option, but some wireless ones do. Good luck with your quest.
Peter E Smith
My flickr Photostream
Peter E Smith
My flickr Photostream
Link
Posted 16/03/2023 - 17:14
Although it would take a little bit of getting used to, it's feasible with the GR, using your thumb for the shutter. You'd just have to use it in auto, or set your aperture and other settings before shooting. Guess you could apply this technique to any compact really, rotating the images in post.
Helpful
Last Edited by rick on 16/03/2023 - 18:46
Helpful 
Link
Posted 16/03/2023 - 22:44
My wife has the use of only one hand, and it's the left. She uses an old Pentax Optio MX. This camera has a rotating grip. She rotates the grip 180 deg. and uses it upside down with her left hand. Given the low res. of that camera, there is no way to get a decent A3 size picture with it, but it's good enough for the web. She also uses a Sanyo Xacti. This one has a 12 meg. sensor, and is fairly easy to use one handed..
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
Helpful
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
Helpful 
Link
Posted 16/03/2023 - 23:08
rickhanson wrote:
Although it would take a little bit of getting used to, it's feasible with the GR, using your thumb for the shutter. You'd just have to use it in auto, or set your aperture and other settings before shooting. Guess you could apply this technique to any compact really, rotating the images in post.
Although it would take a little bit of getting used to, it's feasible with the GR, using your thumb for the shutter. You'd just have to use it in auto, or set your aperture and other settings before shooting. Guess you could apply this technique to any compact really, rotating the images in post.
Being left handed, I'd go with the upside down idea, but you use your thumb to grip. So i'd suggest putting you thumb on the top of the upside down body and use a finger on the shutter
Barrie
Too Old To Die Young
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/barrieforbes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189482630@N03/
Helpful 
Link
Posted 18/03/2023 - 10:28
Wasn't there talk of Ricoh going down the route of other camera manufacturers and building kit to order, some time back? If this came to fruition, this could be a gap in the market for them to exploit!!
Link
Posted 18/03/2023 - 12:36
MHOL190246 wrote:
Wasn't there talk of Ricoh going down the route of other camera manufacturers and building kit to order, some time back? If this came to fruition, this could be a gap in the market for them to exploit!!
Wasn't there talk of Ricoh going down the route of other camera manufacturers and building kit to order, some time back? If this came to fruition, this could be a gap in the market for them to exploit!!
Exploit... is the correct word. I have health problems and disabilities, anything to help or make your life easier will be stupid money....
At the beggining there was nothing....
Which exploded....
Last Edited by Spad on 18/03/2023 - 12:37
Link
Posted 18/03/2023 - 16:00
The Pentax Q can be used left and single handed. Although it's a right handed camera, it's small enough that the most important controls for shooting can be reached with the fingers of the left hand while holding it with the left hand. Here's what it look like:
And just to prove it, here's a picture I've just taken with the Q + 02 (standard zoom lens) using only my left hand for the entire shooting sequence. First attempt, no practice run - and I'm right handed so not used to doing things like this with my left hand.
To confirm what I did, first set the front wheel to Av before turning camera on. Then while holding the camera betweeen thumb and middle finger of left hand:
- Turn camera on (press button with middle finger).
- Zoom to suit the shot (rotate zoom ring on lens with spare finger while holding the camera between thumb and middle finger)
- Set aperture by rotating rear wheel (with forefinger of left hand)
- Adjust position of camera to frame shot (same as if right handed, nothing unusual here
)
- Half press shutter button to focus (with middle finger)
- Fully press shutter butting to fire the shutter (with middle finger)
- Review image by pressing review button (another middle finger job)
If I can do it, then someone who is used to using their left hand a lot can surely do it.
I used the original Q. Later models in the Q series are slightly bigger but I've confirmed that it's still possible with the Q-S1. I suppose which model is best depends on the size of the left hand.
Steve
And just to prove it, here's a picture I've just taken with the Q + 02 (standard zoom lens) using only my left hand for the entire shooting sequence. First attempt, no practice run - and I'm right handed so not used to doing things like this with my left hand.
To confirm what I did, first set the front wheel to Av before turning camera on. Then while holding the camera betweeen thumb and middle finger of left hand:
- Turn camera on (press button with middle finger).
- Zoom to suit the shot (rotate zoom ring on lens with spare finger while holding the camera between thumb and middle finger)
- Set aperture by rotating rear wheel (with forefinger of left hand)
- Adjust position of camera to frame shot (same as if right handed, nothing unusual here
)- Half press shutter button to focus (with middle finger)
- Fully press shutter butting to fire the shutter (with middle finger)
- Review image by pressing review button (another middle finger job)
If I can do it, then someone who is used to using their left hand a lot can surely do it.
I used the original Q. Later models in the Q series are slightly bigger but I've confirmed that it's still possible with the Q-S1. I suppose which model is best depends on the size of the left hand.
Steve
Link
Posted 25/03/2023 - 14:11
One thought that comes to mind is that the Olympus TG 5 etc can be operated remotely using a smart phone. Could this be a possible solution?
Add a Comment
You must be registered or logged-in to comment.
gibis
Member
Vellore, India
Anyone has heard of a camera suitable for a single (left) handed person?
Zoom and focus/shutter release to be on the left side.
Any make; lighter the better.
Most likely there is no such camera...
Please suggest if reliable modifications can be made to an existing one
Thanks in advance!
Sridhar