[Leica] HCB - left-eyed? USE a RAPIDWINDER !

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Subject: RE: [Leica] HCB - left-eyed?
Jeffery Smith offered:
>>> The one attribute that I have that makes photography most difficult for 
>>> me
> is being left-eyed, particularly since my left eye is far faultier than my
> right. And having to crush my nose against the back of the camera makes it
> very difficult to see viewfinder lines for wide angle lenses.
>
> It looks like HCB felt my pain as well...
> http://www.nndb.com/people/968/000027887/<<<<<

Hi Jeffery,
I don't know about HCB being a left eye photographer, but I certainly am and 
have been my entire life due to very poor vision in the right eye. Near 
blind.

However, not an impediment nor handicap. But a wonderful blessing that's 
allowed me to see the world as a flat photograph without 20-20 vision. I 
don't feel my eye is a "handicap" (did when I wanted to be a fighter pilot) 
But a gift given to me that has allowed me to "see not as others" but in the 
manner I see my subjects and how I photograph them.

Using the left eye is a big pain in the ass when shooting M cameras of any 
model.  Always had to take the camera way from my eye to advance, that of 
course was always at the crucial point of the moment. :-)

It wasn't until I received a Tom Abrahamsson RapidWinder did I really 
discover how wonderful it was working with an M6 which was the first M I 
used a RapidWinder with. It was quickly followed by 2 more for the other two 
M6's.

Then I learned how fast I could shoot an M camera, 3 frames a second if 
necessary with the RapidWinder, silently!!!!!  And the camera never left my 
eye. :-)

Now my M7's are similarly equipped and I wouldn't leave home without 
them!;-)

I did over the years try the Leica battery operated winder..... they're a 
piece of junk, I still consider them so and far too expensive given the 
thunking and clunking inside ones camera.

I also realize there are those who swear by them, their prerogative! I 
prefer to "swear at them!" ;-)

The RapidWinder on any M camera, right eyed, left eyed or both, is one of 
the finest pieces of gear an M user can attach to his or her camera for 
smoothness and quickness of operation, particularly when photographing 
children and other action type situations.

If your left eye is your dominant eye you might have a try at Tom's 
RapidWinder simply because it's truly a great piece of gear for any M, 
particularly those shooting left eyed.

ted