20D & 5D Eyepiece Cover

[JohnnyBlood]

I'm now through reading the manual to my Canon 20D for the third time. Every time I read it I learn something new. Some how the first two times I completely missed the part about the eyepiece cover, which is supposed to be used in self-timer or remote switch mode because "stray light may enter the eyepiece" and affect the exposure. Do people have any real time experience with this? Is it really that necessary?

Also, as I contemplated having to start using the eyepiece cover, I began to think about the proper workflow needed to take stunning long exposures at night. This is what I have come up with; am I missing anything?

1.) Use a tripod and make sure tripod is steady (obvious)
2.) Attach remote switch (also obvious)
3.) Enable long exposure noise reduction (C.Fn-02 set to 1:On)
4.) Enable mirror lock up (C.Fn-12 set to 1:Enable)
5.) Compose photograph
6.) Set the mode dial to M and set shutter speed to bulb
7.) Set desired aperture
8.) Slide cover over eyepiece
9.) Press shutter button on remote switch once to activate mirror lock up
10.) Press shutter button on remote switch again to take photo

Am I missing any steps?

[cspratt]

Not much. I have a so-called eyepiece cover for my 10D. Piece of junk. The one for my 10s got lost years ago. Make your own.

[ScottE]

How about deciding the length of exposure, looking at a watch and holding the shutter button on the remote down until the time has elapsed? For very long exposures you may want to use the lock switch on the remote to hold the button down so you can leave the remote and come back later when the time has elapsed. This would be done for things like star trails.

Using mirror lock-up for very long exposures where you use bulb setting is kind of redundant because the camera is stationary for so long during the exposure that the small amount of vibration at shutter release does not do any significant damage.

[Quad]

You forgot step 7b remove eye piece so cover will fit.

It is very poor part. My old A1 had a small lever by the viewfinder and a small shutter closed inside to close it up. That was an elegant implementation. This was the biggest disappointment on my 5D when I first got it.

[ScottE]

I find it easier to just hang may hat over the back of the camera.

[jjonsalt]

DUCT TAPE, don't leave home without it.

[CliveyBoy]

Duct tape! So simple.

I found that the neck strap swung in the breeze, producing vibrationmovement that defeated the tripod. So I detached the cover from the strap, and could never find it.

Then I bought the angle finder, and never again use the tripod without it. Hopefully, the angle finder provides a sufficient reduction of light.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBlood

Am I missing any steps?

Somewhere between step 5 and 8 I would focus the lens.

[ghocking]

I just cup my hand over the eyepiece. You could get a 1D, the have a built in slider.

[JohnnyBlood]

Angle finder?

[Jon]

If you're setting the exposure manually, you don't need to cover the eyepiece. It's only if you try to meter with the eyepiece open to stray light that there's a risk of a messed up exposure.

[ScottE]

That is so obvious I had never thought about it. If the mirror is locked up, it blocks light going down to the image sensor. Thanks for pointing that out. OK, I've learned something for today, I can quit thinking now.

[Jon]

Originally Posted by ScottE

That is so obvious I had never thought about it. If the mirror is locked up, it blocks light going down to the image sensor. Thanks for pointing that out. OK, I've learned something for today, I can quit thinking now.

No, keep thinking. Then you can point out the "obvious" to someone else.