Eyepeice To Prevent Light Leak

danny_bhoy

danny_bhoy

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,894
Name
Danny
Edit My Images
No
Did I imagine this or is there an eyepeice with a built-in 'shutter' to prevent light leakage during long exposure

Is this actually in existence?? I'm sure I've seen one a long time ago.

I'm sick to death of the fiddly canon rubber cover that replaces the eyepiece and hanging a hankie etc over it doesn't work in windy conditions.

Any help would be great :)
 
My Nikons have a built in viewfinder shutter operated by an external lever, isn't there anything like this on Canon?
 
gramps said:
My Nikons have a built in viewfinder shutter operated by an external lever, isn't there anything like this on Canon?
Click to expand...

Looks like there may be a gap in the Canon accessories market for any entrepreneurs out there :) God knows you can buy every other type of accessory.
 
Last edited:
For my 5D3, I bought a spare eypiece cover and glued a piece of black to it. Quick and easy way of blocking it out and prefer it to the rubber strap piece.
 
buckas said:
For my 5D3, I bought a spare eypiece cover and glued a piece of black to it. Quick and easy way of blocking it out and prefer it to the rubber strap piece.
Click to expand...

JakeT1992 said:
As above, I've done the same as Drew.
Other option is to carry a roll of black electrical tape with you.
Click to expand...


Great stuff guys - now just to source a second eye peice. First port of call - Ebay.
 
Do you not use live view? I was under the impression it didn;t effect anything when shooting in LV
 
What is actually the problem? When the shutter is open, the mirror is up against the screen so there shouldn't be any light leaking in anywhere.


Steve.
 
danny_bhoy said:
Same as Jake - I'm not 100% sure about the MK2. I'll do some research and try to find out.
Click to expand...
just read the 6d leaks so mk 2 maybe the same
 
Steve Smith said:
What is actually the problem? When the shutter is open, the mirror is up against the screen so there shouldn't be any light leaking in anywhere.


Steve.
Click to expand...

I don't think that prevents light creeping in the viewfinder, bouncing around and creating funky 'ghosting' on your image though does it? I might be wrong though Steve, I'm no expert.
 
Before the mirror comes up a light reading is taken of the scene, any light entering the prism from behind "can" affect that reading e.g. a heavily front lit shot would have the sun light streaming into the uncovered prism/eye piece. I believe some of the Canons also take a final exposure reading during exposure (when the mirror is up) so that should reduce the problem. You used to be able to buy a rubber cover that went where the rubber eye cup sits but you had to slide the eye cup off and put the blanking item in place, which is ok if the camera is on a tripod I suppose, otherwise a very inelegant "solution". As mentioned 1 series, or at least my Mk2 has a blanking curtain built into the prism. Would a hand held over the eyepiece not work?
 
MatBin said:
Before the mirror comes up a light reading is taken of the scene, any light entering the prism from behind "can" affect that reading e.g. a heavily front lit shot would have the sun light streaming into the uncovered prism/eye piece. I believe some of the Canons also take a final exposure reading during exposure (when the mirror is up) so that should reduce the problem. You used to be able to buy a rubber cover that went where the rubber eye cup sits but you had to slide the eye cup off and put the blanking item in place, which is ok if the camera is on a tripod I suppose, otherwise a very inelegant "solution". As mentioned 1 series, or at least my Mk2 has a blanking curtain built into the prism. Would a hand held over the eyepiece not work?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the explanation - interesting stuff.

On the topic of the little rubber blank thingy - I hate that thing. So, so fiddly and I've lost more than a few as they drop off due to not fitting snugly.

As for a hand over the viewfinder I've tried that a few times but it's not ideal for 2-3 minute exposures - if you inadvertently knock the camera after 1 minute 56 seconds you're knackered :)
 
danny_bhoy said:
As for a hand over the viewfinder I've tried that a few times but it's not ideal for 2-3 minute exposures - if you inadvertently knock the camera after 1 minute 56 seconds you're knackered
Click to expand...

I asked what the problem was because I knew that some cameras had metering issues with light entering the viewfinder but wasn't aware of any reason why it should be an issue during exposure.

A simple answer would be to set to manual and put your hand over the eypiece only whilst you are metering.


Steve.
 
danny_bhoy said:
Aah that's where I've seen it then. At least I'm not losing my marbles.

Would it be too optimistic to suggest that the 1 series eyepeice would also fit the 5D MK1/2/3 if I could source one?
Click to expand...

It is called live view. Single button click, does the same job and more - like it also tells you if the camera is level and can expose better is stupid low light.
 
Steve Smith said:
What is actually the problem? When the shutter is open, the mirror is up against the screen so there shouldn't be any light leaking in anywhere.


Steve.
Click to expand...
I mistakenly believed this, but when I asserted it in another discussion (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/lens-flare-with-nd-filter.546149/#post-6314721) I was told in no uncertain terms that the mirror is only semi-silvered and therefore allows light past even when up against the focussing screen.
Presumably this still applies when shooting in "Live view" mode.
Blocking the viewfinder is the only way to prevent stray light from entering.
 
Last edited:
danny_bhoy said:
Looks like there may be a gap in the Canon accessories market for any entrepreneurs out there :) God knows you can buy every other type of accessory.
Click to expand...
danny_bhoy said:
What a shame - I really think it's a feature that a lot of lansdcape photographers would use regularly.
Click to expand...
I have wondered for a while now why aftermarket people like Neewer and Shot etc that make other accessories don't make one of these. I also think there is market for it.
 
buckas said:
For my 5D3, I bought a spare eypiece cover and glued a piece of black to it. Quick and easy way of blocking it out and prefer it to the rubber strap piece.
Click to expand...
I did this since I got my first 60D. My boyfriend had a 1D with it fitted and I needed one too. The rubber provided cover is too awkward to use.
 
Brian G said:
I mistakenly believed this, but when I asserted it in another discussion (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/lens-flare-with-nd-filter.546149/#post-6314721) I was told in no uncertain terms that the mirror is only semi-silvered and therefore allows light past even when up against the focussing screen.
Presumably this still applies when shooting in "Live view" mode.
Blocking the viewfinder is the only way to prevent stray light from entering.
Click to expand...
We tested this on our cameras too, it is still possible for light to leak past the mirror. We could see difference in the final shot due to the leak.
 
All you need is a small black dress handkerchief.
 
I just take a black beanie hat and hang it over the vf I have had colour casts without it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top