TB4 Loc: TX

Thanks for sharing! C&H was always a favorite in our home.

watchcow Loc: Moore, Oklahoma

I think that was Alpa, and if you look at older cameras, there i s also the Ihagee-Dresden Exa and Exacta cameras. Neither of those survived into the digital age.

Baz Loc: Peterborough UK

Many thanks watchcow. As I said it was many years ago. I never saw one in the flesh - way out of my price range in those days. I only saw it advertised in AP. Now you mention it, the Exacta seems to ring a bell as well.

wmb

Use a remote
You can velcro a small one on the left of the camera at the appropriate spot
Several remote buttons are as small as little match box

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

The Alpas were right-hand shutter release/film advance, Exas were left-hand shutter release and right hand film advance. Exaktas were left-hand shutter release/film advance.

Baz Loc: Peterborough UK

I'm pretty sure that there was a 9D variant that had the controls reversed.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

The 9D I had was right hand drive. The film advance lever, however, went from front to back, as did the left hand film advance of the Exakta. Alpa was known to provide some custom modifications upon request so, while improbable, it is not impossible to see a left hand film advance. For a left hand shutter release, only stop down or preset lenses could be used, and I think it highly unlikely they ever made one. Not much is impossible, of course, and I don't pretend to be an authority.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Are you asking because you are left handed or because you have a problem with your right hand?

I ask because I have neuropathy in my right hand and often can not feel the shutter button. I bought a pack of those little round self stick pads. The smallest pad is about the same size as the shutter button. I have placed a pad on everyone of my cameras raising the button up about a 1/16 of an inch, making it easier to feel.

I just sold one of my cameras so removed the felt pad. A couple of drops of alcohol removed the glue from the button with no problem.

Jim D

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Don't even know if this possible, Could it be done holding the camera upside down?

jcboy3

There was a Fuji Silvi f2.8 compact digital released in 2003 that had shutter buttons on both sides. I'm not aware of any similar solution for compact digital cameras.

I once had surgery on my right thumb, my right arm was in a cast for 6 weeks. I found that I could operate my camera left handed in portrait mode as follows: thumb along the base, right side of camera resting in palm, lens supported by index finger, middle finger operating shutter, control wheel, and any buttons nearby. Use a camera strap for safety and to hold the camera while I fiddle with any other controls.

For landscape orientation, I then rotate my hand so the camera is resting on my thumb/palm.

I have since recovered and gone back to right handed shooting, but this topic comes up periodically.

I find that this is more comfortable with a larger camera that has a protruding lens. And much more convenient if the camera has programmable buttons near the shutter release.

I now have an Olympus E-M1, and just tried the left hand approach with it; works great and I can actually operate the shutter, both control wheels, and two programmable buttons without difficulty using my middle finger, and I can get to the two buttons on the front of the body with the knuckle of my index finger. My ring finger is wrapped around the top right side, supporting the camera. All other functions are operated by supporting the camera with the camera strap.

I have large hands, so find the E-M1 fits well. For smaller hands, something like the E-M10 might be best. This is definitely something that requires handling the camera. Be sure to evaluate programmable buttons for key functions and accessibility. Especially important is the ability to assign function to the control wheels; you want the most used function on the control wheel nearest the shutter release. So for aperture priority, you might want to assign aperture control to that control wheel and exposure compensation to the other. The key factor is how flexible the programming is; the E-M1 is very flexible.

For truly one handed operation, the Cullmann Magic ChestPod Body Tripod is a solution to consider; it will hold the camera steady. Doesn't solve the left/right issue, but at least the left-handed can work their way around the camera while keeping the camera up. Not really suitable for walking about, but pretty good for concentrated photo situations.

The other solution I have seen is to use a flash camera bracket with L-shaped handle and a wired/wireless remote. Remove the part that holds the flash over the camera, and attach the remote to the bracket handle so it can be triggered by the left hand.

Basically, everything is a workaround, but it can be done.

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

Someone mentioned a remote shutter release, and I can second that choice. Not only can you use it with either hand, it also helps eliminate shaking the camera.

TB4 Loc: TX

watchcow Loc: Moore, Oklahoma

I see mention of remote releases. this is a neat idea but depending on the condition at hand, to use a remote release most cameras have to be placed on sort of odd drive mode to enable the remote. on many cameras this is a two handed operation to start with. hold a button, turn a mode dial or thumbwheel. there are also a handful of cameras that have Wi-Fi features and instead of just a remote you can use and android tablet or phone to trigger and control the camera. clunky in most cases, but it might make a camera accessible no matter how inconvenient.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Deleted. Already covered.

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

My remote is simply a button that inserts into the side of my Canon. You don't change anything. Just push the remote button. It works exactly like the shutter button on the camera. But it's on a two or three foot cord, so I've installed my camera on a monopod, held it up In the air, and used the remote to take the picture.