$600 dollars worth of glass for plastic.

[Moses]

Poly carbonate that is.

Some of you might remember I had about 4500-5000 dollars worth of first time DSLR lined up to buy at B&H. I haven't bought it yet because I was wondering if I would even be able to use it. About 10 days ago, I lost most of my eyesight to cataracts. The only way I have been able to see the computer is a combination of the magnifier option in Windows, and I bought a pair of those $9.95 magnifier glasses at the drug store and hold my face about 4 inches from the monitor. Even then it's touch and go.

Last week, my ophthalmologist said I would probably need a new prescription every two months until they determine if they can even perform cataract surgery on me (my glaucoma may complicate things too much where the cataract surgery would be too difficult or unsuccessful). So today I go in for my "new prescription," and found out that my left eye can be marginally improved, but my right eye is pretty much going to stay the same.

I go to get the prescription filled and was presented with a bill for $600 and all I could think of is "L Glass."

Anyway, why am I posting this? A couple reasons. How strong is the diopter adjustment on the eye piece of the 20D, and do they make any after-market attachments for the view-finder for people with eye problems, and lastly, if I spend almost $5,000 on new camera equipment, would I be able to sell it for not too large of a loss in six months (if I find out I won't be able to see well enough for photography).

One other comment, you guys that are out there waiting for the next upgrade, or waiting for a price drop, forget it. Do it now. We're here too short a time and the gift of sight is so precious, enjoy it while you can.

[timmyquest]

I'm not real sure i could help you, but i feel the need to bump this to the top.

Sorry to hear about your condition.

[LouDawg]

Very sorry to here about the health of your eyes! We take such things as sight for granted all too often, I'm afraid.

As far as the diopter adjustment they do sell add-on pieces for extra correction, so that might be the ticket for you. In regard to the resall value of camera equipment, I have seen most of the used stuff go for decent amounts of money (maybe a 10% loss in most cases might be a fair estimate--someone help me out here). Good lenses will hold their value very well.

Good luck.

[pradeep1]

Very sorry to here about the health of your eyes! We take such things as sight for granted all too often, I'm afraid.

As far as the diopter adjustment they do sell add-on pieces for extra correction, so that might be the ticket for you. In regard to the resall value of camera equipment, I have seen most of the used stuff go for decent amounts of money (maybe a 10% loss in most cases might be a fair estimate--someone help me out here). Good lenses will hold their value very well.

Good luck.


Sorry to hear about your eye problems. Makes me realize how blessed we all are to be able to enjoy our eyesight. Generally, expect 10-15% loss if you sell peer to peer on a forum board. But for heavily demanded items (L glass especially), you won't lose much. Actually, international bidders sometimes bid up your items past retail values at B&H so they can receive it as a "gift" from you and avoid duties. Camera bodies, especially digital, don't hold their values well and quickly lose 10-15% within one year, and then a gentle slide to about a 40-50% loss after a few years. That's for consumer grade bodies...20D, etc. For higher end, the loss won't be as much.

Hope this helps.

Do let us know what happens with your eyes. We are all praying for you. God Bless.

[cactusclay]

I hope it all works out well for you. You would probably loose less than it cost to rent a few lenses a couple of times.

[Moses]

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes.

It sounds like there wouldn't really be any problem with the resale--all the glass I was planning on is either L or high-end.

I guess I better get busy with Google for the diopter enhancement. Anyone have the proper name for that type of device?

You know, what I failed to mention in my original post is these cataracts came on quite suddenly (as I was told is fairly common), and I went from near 20/20 to so bad, I can not read street signs or even watch the TV now. All this happened in the space of two days. I'm told I would no longer be able to pass the eye test for a drivers license now.

I am only 48 years old. Cataracts are common in people starting in their late forties and early fifties. Cataracts can cause blindness if not treated. Most of the time it is relatively a simple operation to correct (in 85% of the cases). Unfortunately, I was told that I'm closer to the 15%.

Moral of the story? Have regular and thorough eye exams every two years! And I'm talking about an ophthalmologist--not an optometrist.

[timmyquest]

I guess I better get busy with Google for the diopter enhancement. Anyone have the proper name for that type of device?


Canon sells them.

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=SNAModelSuppliesAct&fcategoryid=803&modelid=10464

This is for the 20D, the search is rather easy though

go to

www.usa.canon.com
Select products, let the window open, select SLR systems
Then select accesories, at the bottom, then enter the model number, and they will list them for ya.

[dwbrant]

Actually I would consider buying a film Canon camera along with those lenses, just in case your sight doesn't permit use of the camera. I would expect to lose a lot of money on any digital SLR if you sell it 6 months after you buy it, but with a film camera, you spend less and likely lose less.

Here are a couple on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30033&item=3880209597&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15235&item=3880250010&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15235&item=3880253480&rd=1

You could even get into photography with a complete kit at very inexpensive prices just to find out.

Wishing you well with your condition, I'm 44 and won't be surprised to have this problem as my parents and all grandparents have had cataracts.

[pradeep1]

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes.

It sounds like there wouldn't really be any problem with the resale--all the glass I was planning on is either L or high-end.

I guess I better get busy with Google for the diopter enhancement. Anyone have the proper name for that type of device?

You know, what I failed to mention in my original post is these cataracts came on quite suddenly (as I was told is fairly common), and I went from near 20/20 to so bad, I can not read street signs or even watch the TV now. All this happened in the space of two days. I'm told I would no longer be able to pass the eye test for a drivers license now.

I am only 48 years old. Cataracts are common in people starting in their late forties and early fifties. Cataracts can cause blindness if not treated. Most of the time it is relatively a simple operation to correct (in 85% of the cases). Unfortunately, I was told that I'm closer to the 15%.

Moral of the story? Have regular and thorough eye exams every two years! And I'm talking about an ophthalmologist--not an optometrist.

Thanks for the information Moses. I had no idea about cataracts. I thought they were something that onset over a period of many, many years and finally did your eyesight in at the last stages if left untreated. I had no idea they can be onset so quickly and devastate your vision so quickly. Amazing and scary.