why are cameras built upside down?
Nov 1, 2014 18:04:14 #
I wonder why cameras are built so that you must balance the body against your nose and struggle to get your eye close enough to the viewfinder to see the whole screen, especially when wearing glasses. Turning the unit inside down allows you to steady the camera against your nice flat forehead, and the viewfinder hangs down to allow easy eye alignment. Current models put all the controls in the wrong place, at least for a right hand operator.
Nov 1, 2014 18:11:19 #
Nov 1, 2014 18:15:34 #
DavidPine
Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
They are built up-side-down so you don't have to stand on your head to shoot...lol
Nov 1, 2014 18:38:41 #
[quote=DavidPine]They are built up-side-down so you don't have to stand on your head to shoot...lol[/quote
Although the question made me laugh at first, it makes much sense. If the eye viewfinder were at lower edge of the camera instead of at the top, your face and nose would not be flattened against the camera's body when shooting, and your forehead would offer a much better stabilizer for the camera body. Now, tell that to the manufacturers, and they are more likely to contract a hired gun to get you out of the picture rather than change the factory routines :)
Although the question made me laugh at first, it makes much sense. If the eye viewfinder were at lower edge of the camera instead of at the top, your face and nose would not be flattened against the camera's body when shooting, and your forehead would offer a much better stabilizer for the camera body. Now, tell that to the manufacturers, and they are more likely to contract a hired gun to get you out of the picture rather than change the factory routines :)
Nov 1, 2014 19:41:28 #
rustfarmer wrote:
I wonder why cameras are built so that you must balance the body against your nose and struggle to get your eye close enough to the viewfinder to see the whole screen, especially when wearing glasses. Turning the unit inside down allows you to steady the camera against your nice flat forehead, and the viewfinder hangs down to allow easy eye alignment. Current models put all the controls in the wrong place, at least for a right hand operator.
Because they never thought about it with a fresh viewpoint as you did!
It is most likely historical. The first cameras were huge heavy things without a viewfinder. When the idea of a viewfinder came along it wouldn't have made sense to put under one of those big heavy things so it went on top. They never looked back.
This may be your path to riches. Patent it!
Nov 1, 2014 19:51:17 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
rustfarmer wrote:
I wonder why cameras are built so that you must balance the body against your nose and struggle to get your eye close enough to the viewfinder to see the whole screen, especially when wearing glasses. Turning the unit inside down allows you to steady the camera against your nice flat forehead, and the viewfinder hangs down to allow easy eye alignment. Current models put all the controls in the wrong place, at least for a right hand operator.
Hold the camera the way it is designed to be held, and you can hold it very steady with no part of your face touching it.
Nov 1, 2014 22:22:13 #
RWR wrote:
Hold the camera the way it is designed to be held, and you can hold it very steady with no part of your face touching it.
That is if you wear no glasses and you don't have a prominent proboscis :)
Nov 1, 2014 22:40:23 #
bunuweld wrote:
That is if you wear no glasses and you don't have a prominent proboscis :)
Well, that leaves me out. Glasses and serious proboscis are definitely my lot in life.
Nov 1, 2014 23:55:41 #
the way they are now built offers better balance. take your camera and turn it upside down and see how it feels.
Nov 2, 2014 00:39:00 #
rustfarmer wrote:
I wonder why cameras are built so that you must balance the body against your nose and struggle to get your eye close enough to the viewfinder to see the whole screen, especially when wearing glasses. Turning the unit inside down allows you to steady the camera against your nice flat forehead, and the viewfinder hangs down to allow easy eye alignment. Current models put all the controls in the wrong place, at least for a right hand operator.
I really like that idea. It would be nice if someone (maybe Fuji) made a camera with the viewfinder in the bottom corner (left side with a left hand shutter button; right corner with a right hand shutter button).
Nov 2, 2014 00:40:11 #
bull drink water wrote:
the way they are now built offers better balance. take your camera and turn it upside down and see how it feels.
Sure. Because they are designed wrong. If they were designed to be used this way they would feel much better.
Nov 2, 2014 05:29:27 #
MtnMan wrote:
Sure. Because they are designed wrong. If they were designed to be used this way they would feel much better.
did it ever occur to you that maybe canon and Nikon tried the idea and rejected it for good reason ?????????
Nov 2, 2014 05:50:23 #
alawry
Loc: Timaru New Zealand
Interestingly I asked my friend the same thing last weekend. we were at a car racing meet in a town, where they had a concrete border that we could barely see over. I inverted my Canon and the extra hight of the lens made quite a dufference. it was like being taller. Next year I'm taking a step ladder to sand or sit on. So your question got my attention. Andrew.
Nov 2, 2014 06:23:35 #
Ranjan
Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!
Mogul wrote:
I really like that idea. It would be nice if someone (maybe Fuji) made a camera with the viewfinder in the bottom corner (left side with a left hand shutter button; right corner with a right hand shutter button).
Perhaps a viewfinder on a turret so that one can choose the placement <LOL>
Nov 2, 2014 06:35:19 #
Maybe in todays litigious world someone should claim that not having an upside down left/righthanded camera is a breach of their human rights..
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.