Photographer Petitions Canon for Left Handed Camera

[mrzero]

I think it is far too much to hope to ever see a "left-handed" camera. However, this seems like an excellent opportunity to develop a "left-handed" grip. If Canon could divorce itself from the concept of forced obsolescence, at least for a moment, the left-grip could be universal and designed to interface with all, or most, body series. That would help defray the development cost, since the grip could last through several camera life cycles. Most of the smart functionality would operate through firmware anyway. Since there is nobody else in this market, Canon could easily grab it up and get some good PR at the same time.

 

[Yankeedog]

Obviously for people who genuinely lack the use of their right hand, a left-handed camera would be a great thing, but speaking as a run-of-the-mill left-handed (and left-eyed) shooter, it's not something I'm especially interested in.

I'm pretty used to handling the camera with my right hand on the shutter. My stance and the way I align my head in relation to the viewfinder is a little different than "standard", but in some ways I think it actually confers advantages. In any event, right-hand grip is pretty ingrained muscle memory for me now and it would take a lot for me to convert to a "left-handed" body.

While I sympathize with Sylvia's plight, I really doubt it would be cost-effective to engineer and sell a completely converted left-handed body. I dunno... perhaps modern computer-controlled fabrication would make it easier to "flip" the design and production line. But you can't simply mirror-image the entire design or e.g., the lens mount isn't going to work.

Even if Canon offered the left-handed body conversion "at cost", without any significant profit margin, I suspect the price premium would be prohibitive. More feasible I think would be some sort of optional device similar to an extra battery grip that gave shooters the choice of a left-side shutter button.

 

[old-pr-pix]

I'm in that statistical 10% or so of the population that is left-handed. But, from observation, it seems that the percentage of leftys in the creative world is much greater. I've been in production meetings where everyone in the room was left-handed.

When I shot medium format I always had a left-handed grip on my Mamiya. Grip alone doesn't help for DSLR - what's needed is a grip with all the key control buttons duplicated. McCurry can at least use his right hand for support with that special pistol grip he uses. Of course, where useable, a tripod helps a lot.

With NFC and Wi-Fi, it certainly is possible for 3rd party to create a grip with full control without the need for direct electronic connection. Or, perhaps a company like Pentax - that doesn't seem to mind a plethora of bodies w/their custom color combinations - would go after the limited market with a real mirror image body.

Like most, I've just adapted to using my right hand although it's not as strong. I've noticed as I get older, I certainly prefer lighter bodies and lenses if I can get away with them.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

stupid idea, i'm left-handed (with everything) but you'll get used to it, now i don't know better anymore.

before classifying the idea as stupid, you should know that the photographer who started this suffers from a disability which does not allow the use of her right hand. furthermore, an idea is not stupid just because it does not apply to you personally.

I agree with the fact that the idea should not be written off as being stupid in such fashion. Like others have stated though, it would not make any sense as a business move for any large company like Canon with a large line/selection of bodies to choose from to offer such options since it would only apply to a minute number of people, personally.

 

[Justhandguns]

Two scenarios for Sylvia, 1. if she finds enough left handed pros to place a large enough order, Canon will make it. 2. alternative solution is to find an aftermarket accessories maker to design for a dedicated left handed grip. Otherwise, it is going to be a waste of breath.

 

[Stuart]

Left handed or even one handed operation sounds like a chance for a novel battery grip, or maybe a smartphone app.
But if the market is big enough then perhaps - maybe a kickstarter project could guarantee the funding before committing to moulding the material for a full LH design reversed from RH. Would a 700D level SLR make it viable

Would the AF/MF lens switches need changing?

 

[sdsr]

I'm a left hander and prefer the so-called right-hand cameras we have today -- this because it's more crucial for me to be able to pull focus with my left.

-- peer

Same here. As for the woman whose plight prompted this thread, it must be hard to use any but the smallest cameras with one hand, regardless of how it's designed.

 

[LDS]

Creating both right-handed and left-handed designs would increase costs a lot (many pieces should be designed, made and assembled for both configurations, and spare parts stored for repairs), and could not be justified by sales.
As in many other fields, designs are fixes (cars, airplanes, keyboards, etc.) and the user needs to adapt, regardless if he or she is left handed or right handed - building devices for both people would be too expensive or would not match rules. For people who can't adapt for disabilities, I too believe some adapter should be made, although they could make the device larger and heavier. After all it's what happens to other devices like cars.
Today fully electronic camera should ease the task, because many commands can go through wires instead of mechanical links, if the proper interface is exposed.
"Modular" cameras could be an option, but they would also be less sturdy due to the mechanical links, and more difficult to make weather sealed. Costs will increase also.

 

[jfl65]

Ok, she's left handed and can't use her right arm/hand.

But how many of us shoot with a DSLR using only one hand?

Could you pick up your 5D3 with 300/2.8 and use it with only your right hand?

How do you zoom the lens when you're holding the camera?

And so on.

I don't mean to pick on a disabled person but I'm sorry, I just don't feel that this is a genuine issue here and that someone is just looking for clicks or 15 seconds of fame.

Your lack of empathy and understanding is astounding. Simply astounding.

In other news, have you ever seen the one-armed college/(pro?) baseball pitcher in action? You would obviously be dumbfounded at what someone with talent and determination can do in order to accomplish and perform the things they wish to do, despite their limitations and your ignorant negativity.

The next time you are on a forum (or in a voting booth) and wish to share your "values" please try this exercise: You have a child who has a deep-seated passion, but a limitation that currently prevents her from pursuing it. And her teacher and other parents are telling her, "No, sorry, you can do that and we are not going to help you in any way to work towards that. You obviously just want attention." Your response?

 

[Sharkdiver]

I too am left handed, and, like most of us, able to adapt to a "right handed world" with a few exceptions (for instance, I play drums right handed but always had to get left-handed guitars). However, my right hand was severely injured in an auto accident last year, necessitating the fusion of the base joint of my right thumb (and resultant permanent loss of the range of motion in that thumb). Until then, I never realized how much we, as photographers, depend on the flexibility and strength of the right thumb.
I think the discussion of add-on options that would allow some major controls to be moved to the left hand to be very enlightening and would fill a need. Like in the case of guitars, these types of accommodations are a bit more costly and call for an individual cost/benefit analysis. But if it enables or permits you to more easily enjoy the pursuit of photography - I'm all for it.
Additionally, much of my photography is underwater, so, I have switched from an Ikelite housing for my 7D to a more costly Nauticam housing. The Nauticam uses a series of levers on the interior of the housing to "redirect" most of the frequently used controls from buttons and dials to levers that are grouped closely together. This has made it much easier for me. Perhaps a similar type of "rerouting" solution could be developed for "topside" use. Here is a link to their website so you can get a feel for what I am referencing. I realize the existing housing is not a solution due to it's topside weight (it's only a lb or two underwater)v but the control routing technology is quite robust! http://www.nauticam.com

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Before I retired, I was asked if I knew where I could find a left handed phone for Bill Gates, or even someone who would build one for him. One of his employees has contacted my company thinking that we might know, and I had dealings with many electronics companies around the world. Yes, THE Bill Gates. I'm left handed but since I only have hearing in my left ear, I use a Right Handed one and had never considered a left handed one. This was in the early 1990's before cell phones became popular. Cell phones were Analog then and were not secure.

I have no issue with a right handed camera, and I shoot my hunting rifle right handed, but my pistol I use left handed. I can hit a baseball left or right handed, but prefer to bat left handed, and cannot throw a ball with my right hand.

Its easy for me to understand that there are different degrees of left handedness, so some might have a real issue, and its nothing to laugh at even if its not a problem for me.

 

[Lee Jay]

Anybody heard of Steve McCurry?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLgd6isBAoM

I've posted this each time I've seen this story - I'm not sure how anyone in her situation could miss that.

His approach wouldn't work at all in this case. He holds the camera's weight with his right hand through a mini tripod or bar. This lady doesn't have use of her right arm.

 

[cosmopotter]

It's a nice idea and I really wish it were simple to do such a thing, but making a left-handed camera would involve a major re-tooling. There are not only the things you see on the outside that would have to be moved to the other side but there would be many boards inside that would have to be redesigned in a mirror image. It would be a HUGE undertaking for a very small amount of users. Canon will never do it, because they could never make their money back on the investment in engineering, design and parts.

I love the simple idea of a left handed grip or the add-on bracket that some other people have suggested. I know that the dials and buttons on the back panel don't move, but it's a start.

 

[AvTvM]

Situation will fairly soon become much easier as we're move towards
1) smaller, lighter, more compact mirrorless cameras
2) by-wire power-zoom lenses [without need to turn zoom ring manually]
3) EVF in form of "Google Glass"-type device with liveview stream and
4) voice control for most/all camera settings and operation.

Big/heavy lenses will remain a problem to support with use of only one hand.

 

[privatebydesign]

Anybody heard of Steve McCurry?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLgd6isBAoM

I've posted this each time I've seen this story - I'm not sure how anyone in her situation could miss that.

His approach wouldn't work at all in this case. He holds the camera's weight with his right hand through a mini tripod or bar. This lady doesn't have use of her right arm.

Maybe not for Sylvia specifically, but it is a bit of an eye opener to all of us, not just left handed people. Besides, Mr McCurry is not a case of a simple left handed person, he broke his right arm when he was a child and he has restricted use/partial paralysis/nerve damage. Personally I found it inspirational, and when I had a very severe accident in 2005 the first thing I used to do arm exercises was my 1D and 16-35.

 

[Don Haines]

I like the "left grip" idea. It could be done far more economically than a left hand camera. A lot of things you can work around or fumble through, but if you only have use of the left hand, you NEED! a shutter button on the left.

 

[msatter]

I don't know if anyone else has suggested it and would solve this with a L-battery grip if it as produced. In this way you have all the nessarry mechanical and electrical connection points in place. The buttons on the vertical part of the grip are moved to the other side and an horizontal part is added with also controls on the top. The ports that are present have to be routed internally to and other location on the L-battery grip.

It is an U-shape contraption with the left had side detachable and for cameras who keep the battery in place it L-shaped.

 

[Tugela]

It probably won't happen since they would have to redesign the manufacturing process to so it, and there likely isn't enough of a market for it to be worthwhile.

 

[m]

This seems to me like the perfect case for aftermarket 3D printing. Understanding that the body would be a different material, not as durable, weather sealed, etc. - but I would think someone savvy could redesign a new body and adjust the wiring in such a way that it would fit.

That's not very realistic, I'm afraid.
The production cost would exceed the price of the camera itself by far, yet you propose to "adjust the wiring" and therefore to take an existing camera apart. You'd end up with some hackish DIY camera for the price of 2 or more 5D3R's without any warranty whatsoever. Nobody would buy it.

Adding an accessory like a grip to the existing camera is a lot more realistic.

I wouldn't expect Canon to foot the bill for this, though they should be willing to assist if a technical matter comes up.

They will not assist (= spend money on this) unless they build it themselves.

 

[mfpinlh]

Canon isn't going to market a camera that wouldn't sell for a profit. As mentioned before, a simple bracket with trigger would fix this lady's problem. Check eBay, it may already exist.