Student invents modular camera that fits both right- and left-handed photographers

Rowan Baxter, a Nottingham Trent University student, has introduced MC-1, a modular camera designed for both right- and left-handed users. This innovative design features a central hub that can function as a standalone camera, equipped with dual shutter buttons for ambidextrous use.

To enhance ergonomics, the MC-1 offers a detachable grip module with additional physical buttons. This module can be clipped to either side of the camera, depending on the user’s handedness. For left-handed photographers, the camera can be rotated 180 degrees, and a specialized left-handed grip module can be attached.

“The MC-1 is designed to adapt to you. Whether you’re left-handed or right-handed, the MC-1 fits your needs,” Rowan writes on Instagram. Compact when you need it, expandable with a larger grip, physical controls, and an electronic viewfinder when you want more control.

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A post shared by Rowan Baxter (@rowan_baxter_design)

The separate viewfinder module is there to address the challenge of a conventional viewfinder when using the camera in left-handed mode. It can be easily clipped onto the top or bottom of the main camera, ensuring optimal viewing regardless of the user’s orientation.

While the MC-1 is still a prototype, we know that it boasts an APS-C sensor size and a compact, pocket-sized design. The camera is currently paired with a TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 lens, suggesting compatibility with Sony E, Nikon Z, and Fujifilm X mounts.

Although the concept of a left-handed camera might seem unconventional, it’s not entirely new. Digital Camera World notes that Yashica introduced the Samurai Z-L back in 1987 (before I was even born). It was a mass-produced left-handed film camera, but it mirrored the controls and grip of the right-handed Samurai Z, catering to the needs of left-handed photographers only. What makes Rowan’s prototype different is that his camera is suitable for both left- and right-handed photographers.

Baxter’s MC-1 is a significant step forward in making photography more inclusive and accessible for all. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of designers who strive to create products that cater to diverse user needs. As the camera continues to develop, we can only hope that it will soon become a reality for photographers around the world, and not just something we’d see in Ned Flanders’ Leftorium.

[via Digital Camera World]