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| Ergonomic design supervisor, Japan camera works |
Camera makers continue to amaze and frustrate me with repeated mistakes in the design of control systems and their various user interface modules. This refers to buttons, dials handles and other tactile elements of the user interface.
This has led to a profusion of bespoke and D-I-Y devices in an effort to rectify the deficiencies of the original products.
We see accessory handles and thumb supports, shutter button overlays, tripod mounting brackets, and a range of constructions with various substances such as epoxy resin and Sugru (a proprietary product).
Sometimes a simple addition can make a big difference to the haptic qualities of a camera, greatly improving the user experience.
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| Not the most visually elegant construction but the haptics are good. Although this construct of Sugru looks a bit rough close up it does not stand out visually at all when one is using the camera. If Panasonic had used the 4way pad from the FZ1000 and FZ300 shown below, no modifications would have been required. |
Sugru on the Panasonic G85 4 Way Pad (Cursor Button module)
For some inexplicable reason which totally defies ergonomic logic, Panasonic endows their cameras with a variety of different types of Cursor Button module.
Of the modules without an incorporated control dial the easiest to locate and operate by feel is the rocking saucer type seen on the FZ1000 and FZ300. This has a raised outer edge which is easy to feel.
But over the years the Micro Four Thirds G models have had some version of the “5 buttons “ type.
This is considerably more difficult to locate by feel. Worst are the type with 5 flat buttons as seen on the G7 and G80/85.
With the G80/85 Panasonic finally after nine years of trying, got almost everything right and rectified almost all the problems with previous iterations of the G Series.
But they reproduced the “5 flat buttons” Cursor Module from the G7, one of that camera’s least appealing ergonomic features.
I sought a way to alter the module so it would gain raised, sharpish outer edges emulating the best haptic characteristics of the rocking saucer type.
I also wanted to raise the profile of the Disp button which I use very frequently to re-center and re-size the active AF Area.
Sugru to the rescue.
Sugru is slightly weird stuff. It comes in little packets of putty-like material which can be applied to a variety of surfaces after cleaning them with alcohol. There is plenty of time to shape the putty before curing sets in. Once cured the material turns into rubber which can stick quite firmly to the surface on which it has been applied. It sticks fine to Panasonic cursor buttons anyway.
Initially I applied one blob of Sugru to each of the five buttons and the Disp button then shaped and contoured each little blob, taking great care not to allow any stray material into the space between the button and the body.
After curing I took a sharp knife and cut the now rubbery blobs on the Cursor Buttons at an angle so the outer edges are now higher than the inner edges.
This works like a charm. The cursor buttons are now much easier to locate and operate by feel as is the Disp button.
I change AF Area position with the [Direct Focus Area] function.
I can do this with much more precision and confidence with the Sugru modified Cursor Buttons.
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| Nicely effective and elegant enough that few users will notice the addition. |
Epoxy on the FZ300 Disp Button
The FZ300 does have the desirable rocking saucer type Cursor Button module but an inexplicably recessed Disp button which is difficult to locate by feel. I find this doubly strange because the FZ1000 which has a similar control layout does have a slightly raised Disp button which is easy to feel.
This time I cleaned the button with alcohol then carefully applied quick setting clear epoxy resin with the tip of a toothpick. The idea was to raise the profile of the button with a distinct point in the center to make it easy to feel.
This works very well. The Disp button is now much easier to feel than it was and the camera is more enjoyable to use.
Comment
All the camera makers repeatedly make inexplicable ergonomic mistakes with their control systems.
I do seriously wonder if the people responsible for those control systems actually use their products before releasing them to the market.
Some, like those described in this post are easy to rectify with a good outcome.
Would it not be better if they got it right in the first place ?