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Unused eye open or closed?
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Aug 5, 2019 06:31:36   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Usually closed. I leave it open if I want to see what's going on.

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Aug 5, 2019 06:45:40   #
Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south
 
When I am shooting street, both eyes open. i can see subjects that are out of frame and can better anticipate whats coming. For both the picture and what's coming at me.

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Aug 5, 2019 06:56:20   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
Scruples wrote:
Personally, I remove my glasses most of the time. I already have my diopter set. With my "good" eye I check the viewfinder. Then, I keep my other eye open to track my subject. Sometimes! Supposedly, with both eyes open you see twice as much. But think about it. When you display a photograph, you often list the camera make and model, the lens focal length, shutter speed and f/stop. I don't recall seeing where one eye or both eyes were used. Perhaps they were listed but I wasn't paying much attention! LOL

I don't think it matters a great deal if one or both eyes are open. The final result is the deciding factor.
Personally, I remove my glasses most of the time. ... (show quote)



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Aug 5, 2019 07:14:22   #
Brokenland
 
Closed

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Aug 5, 2019 07:19:36   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
BassmanBruce wrote:
If I’m shooting something that’s moving both eyes are open. Left eye to track subject and right eye in viewfinder to compose and keep af dot where I want it. Varying degrees of success usually depending on how much I’ve practiced.
For stationary subject I don’t shoot looking through the viewfinder.



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Aug 5, 2019 07:32:04   #
Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.
 
When I was going through basic training I don't remember them saying anything about having the unused eye open or closed. However I always have closed the unused eye when firing a weapon or shooting a camera. It just comes natural.

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Aug 5, 2019 07:34:22   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
nadelewitz wrote:
This is as old as the existence of eye-level viewfinders.

Should the eye that is NOT at the viewfinder be kept open, or closed?

I have read that the unused eye should be kept open (forgetting the reason), and it seems my mind over many years has trained itself to ignore what the unused open eye is seeing. Fine.

But now that I find myself having to change which eye I view through (vision problem), I'm wondering if I should just close the now-unused eye, or go through a long process of training my mind to ignore the now-unused eye.

What do YOU do?
This is as old as the existence of eye-level viewf... (show quote)


I am right handed. So, the camera comes up to my left eye so my right hand can not only trip the shutter but then my thumb can reach the back of the camera buttons. I have always closed my right eye, if I left it open, I would be distracted from what I see in the viewfinder.

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Aug 5, 2019 07:48:36   #
Silverrails
 
nadelewitz wrote:
This is as old as the existence of eye-level viewfinders.

Should the eye that is NOT at the viewfinder be kept open, or closed?

I have read that the unused eye should be kept open (forgetting the reason), and it seems my mind over many years has trained itself to ignore what the unused open eye is seeing. Fine.

But now that I find myself having to change which eye I view through (vision problem), I'm wondering if I should just close the now-unused eye, or go through a long process of training my mind to ignore the now-unused eye.

What do YOU do?
This is as old as the existence of eye-level viewf... (show quote)


Wow, I will need time to consider this issue, I am really not sure if I keep my unused eye open or shut, I think Shut, but I will need to get my Nikon D3300 out and investigate, let you know A.S.A.P.,..😄

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Aug 5, 2019 08:09:58   #
khorinek
 
Both eyes open. I shoot with right eye and the left eye is looking at my subjects or watching for someone about to walk into the frame.

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Aug 5, 2019 08:26:59   #
47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range
 
Closed or open depending on the situation, type of subject, long lens or not, position of the sun, etc. Even the view finder itself can push me one direction or the other. Find your own comfort level and works best for you... and go with it. As momma used to say, what’s good for the goose may not be good for the gander.

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Aug 5, 2019 08:35:10   #
Photocraig
 
It is only unused if you close it. The forum just gave you several reasons for BOTH eyes open. It is especially important for urban and other situations where situational awareness is vital.

Viewfinder visual work is very different than sighting--a gun, or transit or other device. Photography is capturing the entire frame, sighting is usually about a single point.

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Aug 5, 2019 09:12:10   #
Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown
 
use a cable release after focus and shoot with both eyes open. Some cameras allow focus with live view on the display on the back of your camera - ah ha both eyes open.

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Aug 5, 2019 09:49:47   #
olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
 
Strodav wrote:
During biology in HS they taught us to work on keeping both eyes open when using a microscope to avoid eye strain and to be able to write in our notebooks without taking our eye off the subject. When I started shooting open class pistol competitions I was taught to keep both eyes open as it allows one to switch between targets faster. With all the training and practice over the years, I naturally keep both eyes open behind the camera. I can tell you it really helps with tracking BIF. After a while, the mind learns to quickly switch back and forth between eyes.
During biology in HS they taught us to work on kee... (show quote)


I have always used this methodology too; I use it for photography, target shooting, microscope/gunscope/telescope and any active situations, especially in the case of photography to maintain situational awareness, track target, plan next move etc.. It does reduce eye strain (imho). Do also sometimes close one for those "squinty" situations, also switch back and forth between eyes during long sessions. My vision is still pretty sharp (both eyes - I consider myself lucky there). When doing repair work on tiny electronics and such, if using a loupe or magnifying glass, I switch eyes often, or use magnifying readers. Since both eyes vary a little in sharpness at distance/close-up, I do switch depending on situation/distance for sharpest view, but in general I usee them both.

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Aug 5, 2019 10:05:06   #
Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
 
nadelewitz wrote:

I have read that the unused eye should be kept open (forgetting the reason), and it seems my mind over many years has trained itself to ignore what the unused open eye is seeing. Fine.
What do YOU do?


I've hunted for about 50 years and keep both eyes open. Peripheral vision is improved. I understand the military snipers are trained to close one eye.

Dik

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Aug 5, 2019 10:17:14   #
Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan
 
They ought to make a movie called eyes wide shut.

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