Worth it? DK-21M magnifying eye piece

[zenesh]

Hi all,

Was quoted $40 for the DK-21m magnifying eye piece for the D80.


Worth it to magnify the view through the viewfinder?

[westwest1]

i find it ok...

[raychan]

Personally, I find it better than just the bare eyecup. It helps to magnify the viewfinder image by 1.5X. Great for people for "less than perfect" eyesight and those who need to see a bigger image.

Got mine for $38....so $40 is still a good buy.

[lim8395]

can it be used on the nikon d50?

[metallilan]

Originally Posted by lim8395 can it be used on the nikon d50?

Yes it can. got a friend who's using it on a D50. I have personally used it on my D70 before..

[ExplorerZ]

Originally Posted by raychan Personally, I find it better than just the bare eyecup. It helps to magnify the viewfinder image by 1.5X. Great for people for "less than perfect" eyesight and those who need to see a bigger image. Got mine for $38....so $40 is still a good buy.

it only magnifigy by 1.17x....

[NikLeica]

This is useful for me as I use the magnified screen view to assist when I use manual focus mode for situations that require me to ensure that the point of focus is pin-point sharp, for use with the AiS lenses.

To further help me, I have also changed my brite screen to one with the prism focussing screen like in the FM3A.

I think if you do not need to do manual focussing, then the magnified image is not going to be much of help. In fact you may find yourself having to compensate for the fact that your print view is much bigger than the magnified view.

[Ansel]

Originally Posted by NikLeica ... In fact you may find yourself having to compensate for the fact that your print view is much bigger than the magnified view.

Can to elaborate, please? I am lost.

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by zenesh Hi all, Was quoted $40 for the DK-21m magnifying eye piece for the D80. Worth it to magnify the view through the viewfinder?

IMO, D80 doesn't need this. However, it very useful for D70 and D50.

[ortega]

yes useful for macros or where precise focusing is vital

[theRBK]

Originally Posted by Ansel Can to elaborate, please? I am lost.

I think he means that because of the magnification of the eyepiece, you don't see the whole image but only the centre like 90something percent...and because you don't see the whole image, when frame your shot, you are actually getting more image at the sides as well (the part that you don't see because of the magnification of the centre)...

[Ansel]

Originally Posted by theRBK I think he means that because of the magnification of the eyepiece, you don't see the whole image but only the centre like 90something percent...and because you don't see the whole image, when frame your shot, you are actually getting more image at the sides as well (the part that you don't see because of the magnification of the centre)...

I know the D200, D80, etc viewfinders are not 100%, prolly around 95%. Will adding the DK21M make it even less, eg 90% ? From the brochure, it doesn't appear to be so. The brochure shows a larger overall image, but you still get to see the same full image.

[cichlid]

Originally Posted by lsisaxon IMO, D80 doesn't need this. However, it very useful for D70 and D50.

Hi

Anyone knows if it can be used with the D40?

[Scaglietti]

I am using the D80 with the DK-21M and DG-2 magnifying eyepieces.

I find DK-21M only useful when I do manual focus for portraits shoot. I find it sometimes hinders me in composing the shoot. I am wearing glasses and cannot put my eyes close enough to the eyepiece, thus, I need to move my eye around abit to see the full frame.

When I do macro, I use the DG-2 for manual focusing.

The original viewfinder of the D80 is quite bright and big for normal shooting.

BC

[clubgrit]

I did not find it very useful on my D200 (I don't do macros though), the magnification factor is too small that I have to think whether it did become bigger or not, as compared for example to the 1.25x or 1.3x magnifying eyepiece of my other camera, where the difference is immediately apparent. But since I already bought the DK-21M, I just kept it on, to protect the built-in eyepiece anyway (keep it mint for next owner). In that aspect, it's worth it YMMV.

[chngpe01]

Originally Posted by Ansel I know the D200, D80, etc viewfinders are not 100%, prolly around 95%. Will adding the DK21M make it even less, eg 90% ? From the brochure, it doesn't appear to be so. The brochure shows a larger overall image, but you still get to see the same full image.

From the brochure it seems to be so. But actually you will not be able see a 100% ie. probably from 95% in D200 to about 90-92%? and probably about 95-98% for the D2x.

From my experience, I used to fix it on my D2x because my eyesight is getting bad. But decided to take it off because it just keep screwing up my composition and framing. AS such I think it is not worth the $.

[zenesh]

Thanks for all the reply.

1.2x seems like not much difference. Think i will give it a miss.

Nikleica, how do you get the spilt prism screen? possible to get it into the D80? Was using my Dad's FM with the spilt prism screen and think it really helps with manuel focusing with old AIs lenses

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by cichlid Hi Anyone knows if it can be used with the D40?

I think so but I believe D40 doesn't need it also.

[Ansel]

Originally Posted by chngpe01 From the brochure it seems to be so. But actually you will not be able see a 100% ie. probably from 95% in D200 to about 90-92%? and probably about 95-98% for the D2x. From my experience, I used to fix it on my D2x because my eyesight is getting bad. But decided to take it off because it just keep screwing up my composition and framing. AS such I think it is not worth the $.

Thanks PE for the comment. So I gather that for those newer and pro bodies that have 0.95x and above magnification (D1/2 series, D80 and D200) viewfinders, the DK-21M may not be necessary or desirable. So it is only useful for bodies like D40, D50, D70/s and D100.

[chngpe01]

Originally Posted by Ansel Thanks PE for the comment. So I gather that for those newer and pro bodies that have 0.95x and above magnification (D1/2 series, D80 and D200) viewfinders, the DK-21M may not be necessary or desirable. So it is only useful for bodies like D40, D50, D70/s and D100.

Okie, maybe I need to explain here. If just for magnification whether on D2x or D200 I find it does help. Eg when I was into bird photography as a hobby, I really appreciate the magnification (of getting a better view of the subject's eye), I could live with the difference between what I see in the viewfinder and actual pics.

But when it comes to other areas where you would want to spend as little time as possible in unnecessary post-process eg. cropping to requirement. I would prefer to frame the pic and get it right from the start. And that is where I find the DK-21 not useful at all.

Just for illustration: for example pic 1 is what I see and wanted when composed in the viewfinder


This is what I got in the computer, where I have then to spend time cropping etc which is just an unnecessary step. In this instance I find the DK21 a liability.


Hope it helps

Cheers