Left Eye vs Right Eye? at DVinfo.net

Joshua Wachs · July 14th, 2004, 06:56 PM

Am I reading the specs clearly... Can you switch the view-finder to be on the right side of the camera for those who are left-eye dominant?

Thanks!

Steve McDonald · July 15th, 2004, 02:52 AM

Possibly you meant to word that differently? If you wanted to use your left eye for the viewfinder, it would seem that it should move to the left, rather than be on the right side of the camera. Or were you thinking of putting it on your left shoulder? There have been a few camcorder models that had controls that allowed for leftside shooting, but I don't know how you'd do that with the XL2. I once saw an old Panasonic semipro S-VHS, that was an alternate leftside version, with everything on reverse sides.

If left shoulder shooting is not what you had in mind, I don't know how flexible or adjustable the viewfinder base on the XL2 is, but perhaps it will angle over far enough to the left to use with the left eye. On a tripod, it would be easy to use either eye. Many pro viewfinders I've used, were mounted on a slide that allowed them to move far enough over for the left eye.

Steve McDonald

Jean-Philippe Archibald · July 15th, 2004, 08:15 AM

That is how things works on the XL1. The viewfinder can slide some inches from right to left to alow the use of any eyes while the camera remain on the right shoulder. The XL2 viewfinder will most likelly retain this design.

Barry Goyette · July 15th, 2004, 08:44 AM

Jean-Phillippe

I always knew you could slide the viewfinder on the xl1, but the problem has always been the damn eyecup...I just went and fiddled with it for a while and I realized it comes off and reverses too. I thank you...My left eye thanks you.

Barry

Jean-Philippe Archibald · August 5th, 2004, 07:40 PM

Barry,

Since I am a relatively new user of the XL1, I am glad to have helped you to find this, you who uses it since a while! :)

Rob Lohman · August 6th, 2004, 05:37 AM

The XL2 has the same function in this regard. It allows sliding
of the viewfinder assembly left and right. It will not transform
into a left-shoulder shooting apparatus.

Christopher Reynolds · August 8th, 2004, 09:23 PM

apparatus, I love that word. Anyway, if the viewfinder were on the right side of the camera, you would have to be some kind of mutant to be able to control the grip zoom rocker. Or have your left arm on the top handle zoom rocker. I cant imagine the extra pain you would acquire from operating the apparatus that way. It hurts my arm enough as it is using my XL1s the intended way. (I'm still not used to the burly weight of a professional camera, my wimpy JVC DVL915 weighed about a half a pound!)

Dylan Couper · August 9th, 2004, 03:03 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman : It will not transform
into a left-shoulder shooting apparatus. -->>>

It will however transform into a 75' tall robot with heat seeking missiles, a photon blaster, and a jetpack.

Beware, the XL2 in robot mode!
http://www.pimbrecords.com/mfo/jetfire/boxartfull.jpg

Chris Hurd · August 9th, 2004, 05:44 AM

So that's what that button is for. Cool!

Christopher Reynolds · August 10th, 2004, 05:49 AM

I'm going to rule the world with my new XL2...domo arigato Mr. Roboto. But seriously, I just picked up Extreme DV at used car prices. In the preface on page xli there is a picture of a guy holding a left shouldered XL1. I was thinking the image might be mirrored for no good reason at all. Anyway, if someone has picked up this book as well, let me know if my eyes speak the truth, or if they have betrayed me. (It is hard to distinguish, but I do believe 'Canon' on the viewfinder is reversed.)

July 14th, 2004, 06:56 PM	#1
Joshua Wachs Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 95	Left Eye vs Right Eye? Am I reading the specs clearly... Can you switch the view-finder to be on the right side of the camera for those who are left-eye dominant? Thanks! __________________ http://busybrain.com

July 15th, 2004, 02:52 AM	#2
Steve McDonald Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 366	Say What? Possibly you meant to word that differently? If you wanted to use your left eye for the viewfinder, it would seem that it should move to the left, rather than be on the right side of the camera. Or were you thinking of putting it on your left shoulder? There have been a few camcorder models that had controls that allowed for leftside shooting, but I don't know how you'd do that with the XL2. I once saw an old Panasonic semipro S-VHS, that was an alternate leftside version, with everything on reverse sides. If left shoulder shooting is not what you had in mind, I don't know how flexible or adjustable the viewfinder base on the XL2 is, but perhaps it will angle over far enough to the left to use with the left eye. On a tripod, it would be easy to use either eye. Many pro viewfinders I've used, were mounted on a slide that allowed them to move far enough over for the left eye. Steve McDonald

July 15th, 2004, 08:15 AM	#3
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	That is how things works on the XL1. The viewfinder can slide some inches from right to left to alow the use of any eyes while the camera remain on the right shoulder. The XL2 viewfinder will most likelly retain this design. __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

August 5th, 2004, 07:40 PM	#5
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	Barry, Since I am a relatively new user of the XL1, I am glad to have helped you to find this, you who uses it since a while! :) __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

August 6th, 2004, 05:37 AM	#6
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	The XL2 has the same function in this regard. It allows sliding of the viewfinder assembly left and right. It will not transform into a left-shoulder shooting apparatus. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 15th, 2004, 08:44 AM	#4
Barry Goyette Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Luis Obispo CA Posts: 1,195	Jean-Phillippe I always knew you could slide the viewfinder on the xl1, but the problem has always been the damn eyecup...I just went and fiddled with it for a while and I realized it comes off and reverses too. I thank you...My left eye thanks you. Barry

August 8th, 2004, 09:23 PM	#7
Christopher Reynolds Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: North Canton, Ohio Posts: 109	apparatus, I love that word. Anyway, if the viewfinder were on the right side of the camera, you would have to be some kind of mutant to be able to control the grip zoom rocker. Or have your left arm on the top handle zoom rocker. I cant imagine the extra pain you would acquire from operating the apparatus that way. It hurts my arm enough as it is using my XL1s the intended way. (I'm still not used to the burly weight of a professional camera, my wimpy JVC DVL915 weighed about a half a pound!)

August 9th, 2004, 03:03 AM	#8
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman : It will not transform into a left-shoulder shooting apparatus. -->>> It will however transform into a 75' tall robot with heat seeking missiles, a photon blaster, and a jetpack. Beware, the XL2 in robot mode! http://www.pimbrecords.com/mfo/jetfire/boxartfull.jpg __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

August 9th, 2004, 05:44 AM	#9
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	So that's what that button is for. Cool! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 10th, 2004, 05:49 AM	#10
Christopher Reynolds Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: North Canton, Ohio Posts: 109	I'm going to rule the world with my new XL2...domo arigato Mr. Roboto. But seriously, I just picked up Extreme DV at used car prices. In the preface on page xli there is a picture of a guy holding a left shouldered XL1. I was thinking the image might be mirrored for no good reason at all. Anyway, if someone has picked up this book as well, let me know if my eyes speak the truth, or if they have betrayed me. (It is hard to distinguish, but I do believe 'Canon' on the viewfinder is reversed.)