My Specs Are Restricting My Vision

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April 2008
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Just wondering if other spectacle wearers experience problems getting a good view through the viewfinder. I am finding that I can only get a partial view - either the full frame and I can't see the shutter/aperture info, or if I adjust to see that info, I can't see the top edge of the viewfinder frame.

Is this normal? Do I need to change my specs? Any comments really welcome cos at the minute I have taken to removing my glasses to take a shot.

Oh... the camera is a Canon 400D as purchased from the shop, if it makes any difference. This is my first SLR so looking though the viewfinder (as opposed to looking at a lcd screen) is something quite new to me.
 
I don't think the 400D has an adjustment for the viewfinder unlike other Canon cameras. You'll need to get an eyesight correction lens for the camera. This fits into the eye cup, and is available from online retailers such as Warehouse Express or Speed Graphic. You'll need to specify which diopter you need for your eyes. You will probably also need a new eye cup to fit the lens into.

Here's a link to the SG site and WE sites

http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/cat.asp?c=139&1=Viewfinder+Accessories

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/category/basecategory.aspx?cat03=3061&brand=37

You'll need to specify which eye cup you need but you'll get that from the manual, where it shows the accessory tree
 
I don't like taking photos when I've got my glasses on, so tend to wear contact lenses more often now. I've got a 20D and can change the correction for the view finder, but find it even more hassle as I need to take my glasses off to use it, then I can't see the subject without the camera...
 
The 400D does have a Dioptric adjustment knob. Take a look at the manual for it and then try taking off your glasses and adjusting the viewfinder accordingly.
 
Hmmmm-just checked my 1Ds and 40D (I wear specs) and can see everything in the viewfinder?
 
Taking off glasses isn't an option for some of us.. Dioptic adjuster is your friend.

On a simmilar note.. the best thing I ever did photography wise was get some bifocals.. Now I can use the viewfinder and chimp all with the same glasses... enormous improvement for me:)
 
Sorry, I don't think I explained too well. The issue isn't a focussing one, but the actual area that I can see.

Imagine looking through a letterbox. As you move further away from the letterbox, what you can see through it gets less and less. Because I wear specs, there is a physical barrier that stops me getting my eye right up close to the viewfinder. And because of this, I can't see the whole of the frame AND the technical info all at once. I have to move my eye (or the camera) up or down.

Depending on the camera, and how far your glasses sit off of your face, this must to some extent be the case for all specs wearers.

And I was just wondering if there was anything I could do, or do I just have to put up with it? Once I'm more experienced and shoot on fully manual, will I look at this info less?
 
The lens adjustment caused me problems a few days ago, I was playing with filters and lenses and couldnt get anything to focus, took me ages to realise I had knocked the adjustment out :lol:

I dont wear glasses so please forgive me if this comment is useless, but could you use a monicle or glasses which flip up?

Also, I believe you can get an adapter to display whats in the viewfinder onto a little LCD screen that you can look down on.
 
Specs on or off I have no problem seeing properly into the viewfinders of either my 300d or my 30d. Perhaps it's a condition of your eyesight problem?
 
I agree with the OP, my glasses also stop me getting a complete viewfinder view. The adjustment on the viewfinder does not help either as it is not strong enough, plus without my specs I am blind as a bat! I tend to move my head/eye around the 'finder to check on composition etc. As for seeing the viewfinder info, I tend to not bother looking for it as I usually have a good idea how I have set the camera up already.
I think some of it is to do with the shape of your face/nose and the thickness of the specs - I am very short-sighted and have a large conk - so I am B*******! :):):)
 
I have a similar problem but have got used to it - I know that there will be a bit more to the top and LHS of an image than I can see when I look though the viewfinder. If I am taking a person, I will appear to be cropping the crown of their head/hair but I know it will be there when I examine the picture. I just have to ensure that there are no poles or similar objects growing in from the part I don't see though the viewfinder before setting up to take the shot. It has become second nature.

I did try using my other eye for a while to see if it was any better but by the time it had found that miniscule hole known as the viewfinder whatever I was trying to shoot had disappeared!
 
Would an EP-EX15 eyepiece make any difference? I've read that it makes the viewfinder 30% smaller and so should make everything visible and makes the eyepiece 15mm longer to accommodate glasses.

HTH

Gary :)
 
I have never really had any problems with glasses and using the viewfinder on either of my cameras or my friends (Cannon 350D)
I think there is a bit of a knack to it at times, though.
but with some of the stuff I shoot I have to wear safety glasses so there in no choice in the matter for me.
 
I've tried the Canon EP-EX15 thingy - it is on my 20D - and it seemed to make a difference, but it is still not perfect. Never tried it on my 40D, but do not seem to miss it. :shrug: Plus the eyepiece extender does tend to become dislodged when the camera gets packed or unpacked.
 
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