Viewfinder correction lenses

Chris_911

Chris_911

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Chris Tarling
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At the end of last week I received a rather nice Nikon F3HP.

At 55 my eyesight needs a little help - distance is fine but I need reading glasses with +2.00 diopter correction.

I would rather not wear my glasses to use the camera so I bought +2.0 Nikon DK-17C viewfinder lens.

To my great surprise this makes viewing of my viewfinder considerably worse.

Now I know the F3HP has -1 diopter dialled in as it comes from the factory.

What have I missed here?

I was expecting my +2 lens to give me a clearer viewfinder image, not worse?

Anybody experienced something similar?
 
droj said:
Didn't you need a Nikon +1 in the circumstances?


Ha, maybe not?


I used to have this at my fingertips but it's too long ago! Buy several - +0.5, +1, +1.5 ... & experiment? :(
Click to expand...

Thinking the same thing - the only problem is that the Nikon DK-17Cs are quite expensive.
Even so I am tempted to buy a +1 to see what that does for me.
 
Hmm...found this table on fstoppers.
I guess it's worth getting a +1 to see if that is the answer - but the Nikon description says not, i.e. a Nikon +2 diopter lens gives that final value on the camera.
Screenshot 2021-07-20 at 15.32.44.png
 
Interesting..
Just spoken to Grays of Westminster who happened to list a +1 in stock on their website.
They think the above table from fstoppers is the RIGHT information.
Anyway I've ordered the +1 from them so will see what it does when it arrives in a couple of days time.
 
To round this off.
I have just received the +1 diopter correction lens and installed it in my camera. For me it's a good solution - the clarity of the viewfinder seems perfect to me now without my glasses.
So it would seem that Nikon's now information on its website is a little confusing and the table I have posted above from fstoppers is good guidance.
 
The issue was most likely distance... Your +2 diopter for reading glasses is probably for about 52cm, the image in the viewfinder is set at a distance of ~ 1meter. And if you are farsighted, the diopter required reduces as the distance increases.
 
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droj said:
Didn't you need a Nikon +1 in the circumstances?


Ha, maybe not?


I used to have this at my fingertips but it's too long ago! Buy several - +0.5, +1, +1.5 ... & experiment? :(
Click to expand...
Interesting, the first article says to get/use a diopter measurement for 1meter, and the second says to use a diopter of 1 less than your prescription.
 
I first had these things long pre-internet, when it was bloody hard to find any info and the default was trial and error. Nikon's printed guidance ever so helpfully said 'see your optician'., and when I raised the issue with mine he was no help at all!
 
Well three cheers for Canon as their +2 dioptre viewfinder for their A range cameras fits my T70 ones as well (already got one for my T90 but can't remember when/what type when I bought it)....... I've ordered two more and will see if they will fit on other makes of cameras...if so, will report what types.
 
excalibur2 said:
Well three cheers for Canon as their +2 dioptre viewfinder for their A range cameras fits my T70 ones as well (already got one for my T90 but can't remember when/what type when I bought it)....... I've ordered two more and will see if they will fit on other makes of cameras...if so, will report what types.
Click to expand...

Well before I do a complete list of all my cameras..I have good news and bad news for Pentax users:-
It's a tight fit but would go on a S3 and Spotmatic but wont go on an ME....well unless you want to file the slot in the Pentax viewfinder o_O :rolleyes: and just noticed on my bootie KX the viewfinder plastic is missing :oops: :$
But might have good news for cameras that take Pentax lenses like Praktica, Ricoh and Chinon
 
Well here is the list..... in case some are wondering why put a Canon viewfinder dioptre on another make of camera? well they seemed to be more common and if they fit that's all that matters if you can take off your spectacles and assume there would be no difference in focussing accuracy to a different make of camera with their own dioptre adapter.

YES
Pentax S3
Pentax Spotmatic (well I've only got one and assume it will fit all the spotties)
Canon T70
Konica FT1 only with a tiny bit of filing of slot in the viewfinder
Konica TC only with a tiny bit of filing of slot in the viewfinder
Konica FS-1 only with a tiny bit of filing of slot in the viewfinder
Ricoh KR-10 super
Contax 139 Quartz
EOS300
EOS300v


NO
Olympus OM2
Pentax ME Super
Praktica TL5B
Praktica LTL 3
Praktica BC1
Chinon CP-7M
Minolta SRT 101b
Minolta X-300
Minolta X-700
Minolta XD11
Fuji STX-2
 
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AAMOI took a gamble on the bay that a +2 dioptre for Nikon EM would fit one of my cameras.......well it fits all cameras in "YES"
 
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