n3eg
Veteran Member
Never really knew a right or wrong, just that my Pentax Auto 110 had the release on the same side. Good thing internet forums weren't around then, or I might have been led into thinking it was wrong.
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Why are M43 lens release buttons on the wrong side?
- Thread starter Abrak
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Elemental Photography
Senior Member
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This is indeed a key factor- cameras are generally designed for two handed operation, not one.
I have a slightly different grip- I tend to hold the back of the camera in the palm of my hand, which (on m4/3 bodies) still gives me enough reach to hold the release button with index or middle finger. That said, I have long fingers, so that grip may not work for everyone.
plevyadophy
Veteran Member
Hmm, yeah it does seem like the stupid side to be on and if you use a Leica camera, where the lens release is on the right hand side of the lens, so that you can maintain your grip on the lens with your left hand and use the middle finger of your right hand to release the lens it is a great joy and ergonomically superior.
However, and there is always a "however" in photography
, I can well imagine that some manufacturers were concerned that users may inadvertently press the lens release button if it was placed on the right hand side of the lens, and this would be of particular concern on small camera bodies where there isn't much room between lens mount and fingers (it's an issue I encountered when using manual focus lenses on my mFT body where the lens adapters have the release on the right hand side; it took me some time to develop "finger memory" so as to position my fingers so as to not accidentally press the release and find my lens crashing to the ground but when it comes to removing the lenses it is a joy having the release on the right hand side). Further, if you look at the new Canon 1DX it has some rather useful function buttons placed on the right hand side of the lens mount and I guess they wouldn't be there if there was also a lens release button on that same side.If it is at all possible to have lens release buttons on the right without risking accidental release then I would much prefer the release button to be on the right hand side of the mount so that I use my right hand to release and my left, which is already supporting the lens, to move the lens away from the body.
I'm for going back to the OM Zuiko way with the lens release button on the lens. That was far easier, far quicker, and far safer.
There have been a number of suggestions involving picking up the camera with your left hand, pick it up facing you, put it on a flat surface, do this, that, and the other. They all forget that if you are using the camera it is being held in your right hand. Keep hold if the camera in the grip you are using to shoot with and now change the lens! I have to swap hands to change lenses and its an unnecessary operation.
D
dpalugyay
Guest
You have a lot of people agreeing with you, myself included. It feels completely natural and safe for me to unlock the lens with the left hand while gripping the body and rotate and handle the glass with my dominant right hand.
scooter9999
Senior Member
Agree with you totally.
I love my OMD's picture quality and lack of weight but this is yet another thing that makes it sooooo annoyingly fiddly.
I love my OMD's picture quality and lack of weight but this is yet another thing that makes it sooooo annoyingly fiddly.
plevyadophy
Veteran Member
Wow!!
That sounds horribly complicated compared to the ease with which one changes lenses on a Leica camera.............. because the lens release button is on the right hand side of the lens mount (so activated by right hand).
Hands do NOT move from their existing positions (left supporting/cradling lens, right holding grip) and one simply reaches out with one's index or middle finger of the right hand to press the lens release button, and then, still maintaining the usual hand positions, one simply twists one or both hands very very slightly and the lens disengages from the body. Now, with the hand you were already holding the lens with, you can put the lens down and then pick up another (and when you have picked up the replacement lens (with your left hand) and attached it to the camera you are then already in the shooting position.
There's no need for your hands and wrist to do a merry dance, changing positions and what not as would be the case if one has a camera with the release mechanism on the left side.
In fact, I would lay money on it that if you gave a group of people, who haven't already had experience with interchangeable lens cameras, a left hand side release camera and a right hand side release that the right hand side camera would get the vast majority of votes for being the most comfortable to work with (regarding lens changing), especially if the cams are fitted with large heavy lenses e.g. 70-200 f2.8.
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Guy Parsons
Forum Pro
Not many of us want Leicas....
The write-up of how to change my lens was tortuous because I had to grab my bag and go through the motions to see what I actually do. It's all easy and smooth and quick and mostly done without thinking (like most things in my life).
Easier using the small 3 compartment shoulder bag, a bit slower and more juggly if using the small snoot bag where the spare lens lives under a flap.As mentioned, the proper length wrist strap makes it so easy.
After years of Nikon the M4/3 was quite natural, except that the lens twists the wrong way.
Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to getting a second E-PL5 body next post Christmas discount season here in Oz and that will lessen the need to change lenses anyway. Mainly buying that for backup reasons after a sad experience with my second E-PL1. Two bodies and three lenses makes a nice to carry and use outfit.
Regards....... Guy
plevyadophy
Veteran Member
I only used Leica as an example, not saying peeps should rush out and buy, LOL! Unless of course they are buying one for meGuy Parsons wrote:
Not many of us want Leicas....
The write-up of how to change my lens was tortuous because I had to grab my bag and go through the motions to see what I actually do. It's all easy and smooth and quick and mostly done without thinking (like most things in my life).
Easier using the small 3 compartment shoulder bag, a bit slower and more juggly if using the small snoot bag where the spare lens lives under a flap.As mentioned, the proper length wrist strap makes it so easy.
After years of Nikon the M4/3 was quite natural, except that the lens twists the wrong way.
Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to getting a second E-PL5 body next post Christmas discount season here in Oz and that will lessen the need to change lenses anyway. Mainly buying that for backup reasons after a sad experience with my second E-PL1. Two bodies and three lenses makes a nice to carry and use outfit.
Regards....... Guy
I think on small bodies like the mFT cams it's a little less noticeable how ergonomically unfriendly it is to have the lens mount button to your left. But if you ever use say, manual focus lenses with an adapter that has the manual focus lens release to your right hand side, you will see the far superior ergonomics of release the lens with your right index or middle finger as compared with the left handed release of the native mFT lenses.
The clumsiness of left handed release is more obvious on full sized DSLR cams.
Right handed release is by FAR a superior way to remove a lens but as I said in a previous post in this thread ..... there may be manufacturer concerns and user benefits
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plevyadophy
Veteran Member
Mike_PEAT
Forum Pro
nt=No text
plevyadophy
Veteran Member
Clever but flawed.
With mFT lenses I can see this as being a great way of overcoming an ergonomically flawed system (and without doubt, a left hand side lens release button is flawed in comparison to the smooth ergonomics of a right hand side release button).
Even the dude in the video, who obviously is practiced at that technique he demonstrated, is fumbling somewhat. That seems to me to be a recipe for dropping lenses; however, with the small lenses of the mFT system this will be less of an issue.
For large mFT lenses or for changing lenses on a large body like say a Canon 1D the technique demonstrated in the video is not really of much use.
I am with the OP (original poster) on this, I believe that left hand release buttons are obviously ergonomically flawed (and if it is not obvious to anyone then I suggest, for a while, they go use a camera with a right handed release and it will become quickly apparent). However, given that we are lumbered with these left hand buttons, we just have to come up with ways of minimising the poor ergonomics and I think the video link you have posted is not a bad start, not great but it's a start.
Thanks for the link.
Regards,
plevyadophy
plevyadophy
Veteran Member
And here's another lens change video, and in it the presenter criticizes that fancy technique shown in the link above.
plevyadophy
Veteran Member
Does Leica's customers have a problem with the lens release button being on the right hand side?
Do you reckon that there have been numerous cases of their insanely expensive lenses disconnecting whilst shooting?
That is indeed an interesting alternative and it is probably more safe, especially when handling heavy gear, however, it seems to have two obvious downsides. 1. It probably takes more time. 2. It requires you to have both a shoulder strap and a messenger style bag.
I think the two-lenses-one-hand technique works well if you don't: 1. have too small hands or 2. have too big lenses. Thus, I think MFT is better suited than others for this technique and it's for this reason I posted it here.
I think the two-lenses-one-hand technique works well if you don't: 1. have too small hands or 2. have too big lenses. Thus, I think MFT is better suited than others for this technique and it's for this reason I posted it here.
Since you only need to depress the button for a few mm of the turn you can remove lens using your left hand:plevyadophy wrote:
I only used Leica as an example, not saying peeps should rush out and buy, LOL! Unless of course they are buying one for meGuy Parsons wrote:
Not many of us want Leicas....
The write-up of how to change my lens was tortuous because I had to grab my bag and go through the motions to see what I actually do. It's all easy and smooth and quick and mostly done without thinking (like most things in my life).
Easier using the small 3 compartment shoulder bag, a bit slower and more juggly if using the small snoot bag where the spare lens lives under a flap.As mentioned, the proper length wrist strap makes it so easy.
After years of Nikon the M4/3 was quite natural, except that the lens twists the wrong way.
Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to getting a second E-PL5 body next post Christmas discount season here in Oz and that will lessen the need to change lenses anyway. Mainly buying that for backup reasons after a sad experience with my second E-PL1. Two bodies and three lenses makes a nice to carry and use outfit.
Regards....... Guy
I think on small bodies like the mFT cams it's a little less noticeable how ergonomically unfriendly it is to have the lens mount button to your left. But if you ever use say, manual focus lenses with an adapter that has the manual focus lens release to your right hand side, you will see the far superior ergonomics of release the lens with your right index or middle finger as compared with the left handed release of the native mFT lenses.
The clumsiness of left handed release is more obvious on full sized DSLR cams.
Right handed release is by FAR a superior way to remove a lens but as I said in a previous post in this thread ..... there may be manufacturer concerns and user benefits
Hold your camera with your right hand by the grip. Using left thumb press lens release button and start turning the lens at the same time with your left hand.
plevyadophy
Veteran Member
That's exactly how I do it ............ with lighter lenses and it works fine with many of the mFT lenses (which are light and tiny) but it doesn't get away from the fact that it is not the best way to do it ergonomically and that as the camera body gets larger and/or heavier and the accompanying lenses get bigger and heavier too this technique that you recommend (and which I use) shows its flaws.Lukas0101 wrote:
Since you only need to depress the button for a few mm of the turn you can remove lens using your left hand:plevyadophy wrote:
I only used Leica as an example, not saying peeps should rush out and buy, LOL! Unless of course they are buying one for meGuy Parsons wrote:
Not many of us want Leicas....
The write-up of how to change my lens was tortuous because I had to grab my bag and go through the motions to see what I actually do. It's all easy and smooth and quick and mostly done without thinking (like most things in my life).
Easier using the small 3 compartment shoulder bag, a bit slower and more juggly if using the small snoot bag where the spare lens lives under a flap.As mentioned, the proper length wrist strap makes it so easy.
After years of Nikon the M4/3 was quite natural, except that the lens twists the wrong way.
Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to getting a second E-PL5 body next post Christmas discount season here in Oz and that will lessen the need to change lenses anyway. Mainly buying that for backup reasons after a sad experience with my second E-PL1. Two bodies and three lenses makes a nice to carry and use outfit.
Regards....... Guy
I think on small bodies like the mFT cams it's a little less noticeable how ergonomically unfriendly it is to have the lens mount button to your left. But if you ever use say, manual focus lenses with an adapter that has the manual focus lens release to your right hand side, you will see the far superior ergonomics of release the lens with your right index or middle finger as compared with the left handed release of the native mFT lenses.
The clumsiness of left handed release is more obvious on full sized DSLR cams.
Right handed release is by FAR a superior way to remove a lens but as I said in a previous post in this thread ..... there may be manufacturer concerns and user benefits
Hold your camera with your right hand by the grip. Using left thumb press lens release button and start turning the lens at the same time with your left hand.
Regards,
plevyadophy
Mike_PEAT
Forum Pro
Even with the lens release on the left side, don't know how many times over the existence of 4/3 and m4/3 cameras I've read of people accidentally touching the lens release button while using the camera in normal use. Pressing the lens release button disables the electronics of the lens rendering it useless.
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