BOO HOO! No more F707!

Old Ed · Oct 9, 2001

Hi Tigadee -

I confess to being rather startled that you don't "get"
the 505/707 ergonomic concept. It's one of the very
best features of these cameras--and an important
reason to pick them over the competition.

And the other posters are correct that the idea is to
support the weight of the camera, via the lens, with
the left hand. This relieves the right hand of any
weight supporting duties, and leaves it free to work
the various controls.

After years of using heavy 35mm SLRs with big lenses
(which HAVE to be handled this way), this seems
completely natural to me. I love it.

But different strokes for different folks. If you don't
like the concept, and want a bigger, clunkier camera,
check out the Oly E-10 or E-20. They're about the size
and weight of Volkswagens.

Tigadee said:
You guys make it sound so easy but it's not...

The way you suggest holding it, then perhaps Sony had better
re-design the 707 for the 909 where the shutter release is on the
lens, not the 'electronics control module'! ;-)

I'm gonna try Soli's idea and see it that can be made to work. I'd
rather try and find some comfortable if not aesthetically ungainly
solution, rather than contort my right hand just to suit the
product, when it should be the product that fits the hand well.

Or maybe the 707 will make a fine present for my wife!

Tigadee

Ed (;¬ >) · Oct 9, 2001

David & Tigadee.

I have pretty large hands and I can get a tight, comfortable grip on the F505v. It appears that the handle on the battery compartment was made for the thumb—but I just can't hold the camera that way.

I rest that projection in the web of my thumb and use my first and second fingers to pull the camera body into the heel of my hand (thumb metacarpal) this places the tip of the thumb just over the Tele switch.

This gives me a very firm grip on the camera and I can even take a picture at full arm extension (handy for crowds.) I must curl the index finger back to push the shutter release but that's easy.

I can't show you a pic of the grip but I can show you a pic taken using the grip which proves the point.

-Ed

David J. Littleboy said:
Bert M said:

David J. Littleboy said:

Yup, the F707 grip is far from wonderful. I have long scrawny
fingers, and when I hold the grip, I end up holding with just my
thumb and middle finger. Since the grip isn't deep enough for the
length of my fingers, the middle finger angles down and shoves the
ring finger down, and the ring finger ends up under the camera,
leaving the right pinky swinging in the breeze (actually, curled up
uselesly).

Click to expand...

David try curling youre pinky under the bottom of the body and rest
the body on top of the side of your pinky. It should provide a
sturdy comfortable grip.

Click to expand...

Yes: essentially what I have is my ring finger doing what your
pinky is doing. The reason for that is my long fingers. With 2
fingers on the grip, my indix finger is nowhere near the shutter
release. With one finger on the grip, my thumb is on the indent,
and it's easy to control the shutter and jog dial.

The only problem, is that my right hand gets tired if I don't
remember to support the camera with my left hand...

David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan

C&H · Oct 9, 2001

Tigadee said:
Anyone who's been in this forum here for the past six months knows
me and knows I am a great fan of the 707 and was planning on
getting one.

Only fear I had was whether the 707 would be too small for my big
hands, since I have tried the 505 before and it is teeny-weeny in
my hands!

And I am currently using a Sony Pro DSC-D770, excuse me! Talk about
adding salt to the wound! Tell you what, why don't I lie down in
front of your driveway tomorrow morning and you can run over me
when you pull out to go to work while I give you all my possessions
in the world!

Tigadee

Hey Tigadee, check this: Camera was not designed for you exclusively(ONLY!) and your "big hands". I suggest contact plastic surgeon ASAP, after that you gonna change your mind (surely). Let me know....

Dennis P O'Neil said:

Tigadee said:

Tigadee

Click to expand...

Sounds very Trollish to me, perhaps the e20 would be your best choice

Dennis

Click to expand...

Rich_1 · Oct 9, 2001

David J. Littleboy said:
Tigadee said:

HEY! Watch it fella!

Only fear I had was whether the 707 would be too small for my big
hands, since I have tried the 505 before and it is teeny-weeny in
my hands!

Click to expand...

Yup, the F707 grip is far from wonderful. I have long scrawny
fingers, and when I hold the grip, I end up holding with just my
thumb and middle finger. Since the grip isn't deep enough for the
length of my fingers, the middle finger angles down and shoves the
ring finger down, and the ring finger ends up under the camera,
leaving the right pinky swinging in the breeze (actually, curled up
uselesly).

Which explains why it fits in my rather small but powerful hands so nicely

Glenn · Oct 9, 2001

Your not alone I work around steel all day long so my hands are beat to hell. I find a lot of things too small for my hands, you shoulkd have seen me shooping for a cell phone recently. I think I might be better off with the F series cameras because they are made to be held more like you would hold an SLR and since I can't afford thew 707 I'm hoping to pick up the 505v cheaply soon.

Tigadee said:
I've just held and checked out the Dark Angel in the local store
and though it is beautiful, I now have my only fear confirmed: It's
too small!

I was having a hard time holding it and my right hand just had a
really hard time getting a comfortable and firm grip on it! sob
Even with a two handed grip, it felt awkward and like it was
constantly gonna slip out of my hands!

So sad, so so sad...

Will I be destined to use only models such as the Olympus E-20,
Epson 3100Z, or my faithful DSC-D770?
--
Tigadee

Tigadee · Oct 9, 2001

Sounds very trollish to me...

You must be a plastic surgeon trolling for business, yes?

Tigadee

C&H said:
Chris wrote:
Hey Tigadee, check this: Camera was not designed for you exclusively
(ONLY!) and your "big hands". I suggest contact plastic surgeon ASAP,
after that you gonna change your mind (surely). Let me know....

Tigadee · Oct 9, 2001

Thanks but no thanks. I already have the granddaddy of the E-10/20, the Sony Pro DSC-770 and that is a great camera with a beautiful lens, superb controls and excellent image quality, despite being a 1.5 mp resolution. I wouldn't even trade it for an E-10!

But I was very impressed (and still am) with the Sony DSC-F707 and am happy to try something of a different design from traditional ones such as the E-10s and G2s of the world. The problem (the only one which I hope to solve soon) is ergonomics.

Fine, I will be the first to admit that no product fits everyone 100%, as some twits here have so unkindly and glaringly pointed out to me (thanks, can I get your addresses please?).

AND I really like the 707 for all its minor negatives (if any really since whatever there minor cons there so far, I can live with) but it won't make much difference if it slips too easily out of my hands in crucial moments or my shutter finger rests in the wrong place most of the time.

This is a major point for me, not you or anyone else who does not have this problem. So if you would like to suggest useful solutions like Soli did, then please do respond. I am happy to hear from you.

Thank you.

Tigadee

Old Ed said:
Old Ed wrote:

But different strokes for different folks. If you don't
like the concept, and want a bigger, clunkier camera,
check out the Oly E-10 or E-20. They're about the size
and weight of Volkswagens.

John59332 · Oct 9, 2001

It seems like the 707 is a two-handed camera. Can you just hold the lens and reach the shutter release with one hand?

I love the 707's big lens and the 5MP, but some of the shots I do (e.g. rock climbing) require that I have one hand to keep me steady so I only have one hand for the camera. I currently use an Oly C-3000Z which has an awesome grip and I can maneuver the thing easily with one hand.

Some cameras like the Canon G1 (haven't held G2) have such a small grip that it's virtually impossible to hold with one hand.

For most users, the fact that you may need two hands for the 707 may not make much of a difference but it should be a consideration depending on the type of work one does. Finally, is there any effective way to use the 707 with one hand? I'd love to find out how! My apologies in advance if this has already been answered - just tell me where to find it

John

Bert_B said:
Did you realise that the main grip of the 707 is the lens, and not
the camera-body itself?

Bert.

Tigadee said:

I've just held and checked out the Dark Angel in the local store
and though it is beautiful, I now have my only fear confirmed: It's
too small!

I was having a hard time holding it and my right hand just had a
really hard time getting a comfortable and firm grip on it! sob
Even with a two handed grip, it felt awkward and like it was
constantly gonna slip out of my hands!

So sad, so so sad...

Will I be destined to use only models such as the Olympus E-20,
Epson 3100Z, or my faithful DSC-D770?
--
Tigadee

Click to expand...

Tigadee · Oct 10, 2001

Trust me, the G2 isn't that much better than the G1 in terms of a non-slip grip. There is a better protrusion of the handgrip but no rubber coating and for you, it won't do a good job. (Besides, personally, it's ugly!)

I just went to check out the G2 and 707 (plus the Sony DSC-P3 for my wife) and I pity Canon. I'm sure it's a great camera and all but it sure is butt ugly!

Anyway, I'll be getting the 707 soon and working out how to add some sort of grip assist while learning to use it carefully. Looks like November will be a brisk month for my credit card as I am also planning on getting the Playstation 2 and a DVD player!

Tigadee

John said:
Some cameras like the Canon G1 (haven't held G2) have such a small
grip that it's virtually impossible to hold with one hand.

For most users, the fact that you may need two hands for the 707
may not make much of a difference but it should be a consideration
depending on the type of work one does. Finally, is there any
effective way to use the 707 with one hand? I'd love to find out
how! My apologies in advance if this has already been answered -
just tell me where to find it

John

Bert_B said:

Did you realise that the main grip of the 707 is the lens, and not
the camera-body itself?

Bert.

Tigadee said:

I've just held and checked out the Dark Angel in the local store
and though it is beautiful, I now have my only fear confirmed: It's
too small!

I was having a hard time holding it and my right hand just had a
really hard time getting a comfortable and firm grip on it! sob
Even with a two handed grip, it felt awkward and like it was
constantly gonna slip out of my hands!

So sad, so so sad...

Will I be destined to use only models such as the Olympus E-20,
Epson 3100Z, or my faithful DSC-D770?
--
Tigadee

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

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BOO HOO! No more F707!

Old Ed

Senior Member

Ed (;¬ >)

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C&H

Well-known member

Rich_1

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Glenn

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Tigadee

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Tigadee

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John59332

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Tigadee

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