Advice needed for Magnifying Eyepiece or Angle viewfinder

[bkling1]

Dear Forumer

Does it help to use Magnifying eyepiece or angle viewfinder in focusing for crop DSLR ? Any good brand to recommend? Thanks

 

[Maltese]

I use what my camera brand offers. Angle viewfinder doesn't really give you a lot of magnification IIRC. I use a angled viewfinder because I want the camera to stay lower. Can't really think of how it can help in magnifying a subject for crops. Can you elaborate how much of a crop you going to perform or what you trying to achieve?

 

[maxheadroom]

I had those ep-ex15 for years. The Magnifying isn't making the viewfinder really look big. But it actually making it look smaller. So that it fits your eye. So I check on the forum & decide to take the magnifying glass. Now the Ex15 act as a extender to prevent my noise from screen.

 

[bkling1]

I use what my camera brand offers. Angle viewfinder doesn't really give you a lot of magnification IIRC. I use a angled viewfinder because I want the camera to stay lower. Can't really think of how it can help in magnifying a subject for crops. Can you elaborate how much of a crop you going to perform or what you trying to achieve?

I tried to use 85mm lens on my old 20D. Really find it difficult to focus through the view finder. I am thinking to get some aid such as magnifying viewfinder to solve the problem.

 

[Dream Merchant]

My suggestion:

1) Change the focusing screen to a split-image screen. Phone OP and check stocks. They may also be able to help you install the screen.

2) Check out angle finders. They offer variable magnifications of between 1.25x/1.5x to 2.5x/2.8x. The Seagull is really clear, but tends to induce eye fatigue. The Canon Angle finder C is crystal clear and doesn't make the eye so tired. It's about 3x the price of the Seagull though.

3) Try a viewfinder magnifier. They usually magnify only the central portion at 2.3x to 2.8x. These can be gotten on ebay. I have a spare if you're interersted.

I use all three of the above as appropriate.

Generally, any magnification of 2x and above is sufficient for accurate focusing. Couple that with a split-image screen and manual focusing gets much easier, except in dark situations.

 

[bkling1]

My suggestion:

1) Change the focusing screen to a split-image screen. Phone OP and check stocks. They may also be able to help you install the screen.

2) Check out angle finders. They offer variable magnifications of between 1.25x/1.5x to 2.5x/2.8x. The Seagull is really clear, but tends to induce eye fatigue. The Canon Angle finder C is crystal clear and doesn't make the eye so tired. It's about 3x the price of the Seagull though.

3) Try a viewfinder magnifier. They usually magnify only the central portion at 2.3x to 2.8x. These can be gotten on ebay. I have a spare if you're interersted.

I use all three of the above as appropriate.

Generally, any magnification of 2x and above is sufficient for accurate focusing. Couple that with a split-image screen and manual focusing gets much easier, except in dark situations.

Thanks for your brief review. I think I will go for Canon Angle Finder C. Do you spare to sell me?

 

[Dream Merchant]

Thanks for your brief review. I think I will go for Canon Angle Finder C. Do you spare to sell me?

I'm sorry bk, I only have one spare VF magnifier available (2.3x).

There were a few ads on a Finder C in the classifieds here:

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560748&highlight=WTS+Canon+Angle+Finder+C

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521939&highlight=WTS+Canon+Angle+Finder+C

Brand new, it's about $300.

Hope this helps.

 

[ManWearPants]

3) Try a viewfinder magnifier. They usually magnify only the central portion at 2.3x to 2.8x. These can be gotten on ebay. I have a spare if you're interersted.

I use all three of the above as appropriate.

Generally, any magnification of 2x and above is sufficient for accurate focusing. Couple that with a split-image screen and manual focusing gets much easier, except in dark situations.

Which viewfinder did you buy from ebay. Kindly recommend. i can only find those with 1.3x magnification and not the 2.3 or 2.8x you mentioned.

 

[calebk]

An angle finder is probably not the best solution for your problem. I'm not sure why you arrived at the conclusion to get one. Your best bet is still the split-image screen, as these have been in use by SLR users from the manual focus days.

 

[bkling1]

An angle finder is probably not the best solution for your problem. I'm not sure why you arrived at the conclusion to get one. Your best bet is still the split-image screen, as these have been in use by SLR users from the manual focus days.

Sorry to ask you a simple question. What does the split image sceen do?

 

[Octarine]

Sorry to ask you a simple question. What does the split image sceen do?

It provides a very detailed focusing aid. Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focusing_screen