Seeking Viewfinder Magnifier Recommendations For Manual Focus

Hogloff wrote in post #12777899
Really. What did we do before autofocus lenses? Did everyone walk around with a tripod?

Ho ho! My experience also dates back before autofocus. There are many differences between the focusing screens used in the old film cameras and those in modern DSLRs, plus I thought we were talking about PRECISE manual focus. Maybe it's in our definitions of precise that we find another difference.

Madweasel wrote in post #12779117
Ho ho! My experience also dates back before autofocus. There are many differences between the focusing screens used in the old film cameras and those in modern DSLRs, plus I thought we were talking about PRECISE manual focus. Maybe it's in our definitions of precise that we find another difference.

Mind you if you were shooting with Kodachrome 25 or 64 you were probably using a tripod!!!

Ahh the joy of split prism screens that blackout below about f4....

Madweasel wrote in post #12779117
Ho ho! My experience also dates back before autofocus. There are many differences between the focusing screens used in the old film cameras and those in modern DSLRs, plus I thought we were talking about PRECISE manual focus. Maybe it's in our definitions of precise that we find another difference.

I agree--I think that the definition of "precise" is key. 27", 30" screens, pixel peeping at 100% creates a very tough-to-meet definition of what critical focus is. I think this is what's contributing to a lot of product returns, the need for microadjust as a camera feature, and "compatibility problems" between different lenses and different cameras. And ultimately, when shooting at f/1.4, it means the operator's skill and technique is most important.

I know that one of the more frustrating things things for me is to return from a photo outing and miss critical focus on something that I had the time to do "right".

I try to remind myself that sharpness only one of the many factors that can contribute to a satisfactory image... but that doesn't stop me from using a 3x LCD viewer over my 10x liveview screen.

I too am interested in a viewfinder magnifier for my 7D. I installed a focus screen and use a lot of manual focus lenses now, and although the new screen helps, sometimes I do to miss focus, especially if the thing i'm trying to focus away isn't that close (the details are smaller and harder to see).

I've had it for a couple of months now, and when I feel like I'm getting the hang of it, I end up with a bunch of missed focus pictures that make me realize that I don't quite have the hang of it.

I was wondering if a viewfinder magnifier would help in this situation.

I want to use this in all situations when I use my camera, so "a tripod" wouldn't work for me. Don't get me wrong, I have a tripod and i use it...but I wouldn't go out and do street photography lugging it around.

A lot of my shots tend to be indoors as well, so trying to chase around my niece, who is learning how to walk, w/ a tripod would be extremely awkward and would very restricting.

The other reason why I would like a viewfinder magnifier, as opposed to using liveview, is the lack of light when I shoot indoors. I'm already at ISO 3200, 6400 sometimes trying to shoot @ 1/50 w/ my 50mm f/1.9 wide open. Having the camera against my face helps me keep steady and lets me get the shot at 1/50. I'm not sure I could say the same holding the camera away from me while I look at the LCD in live view.

And with all the chimping that I do to check exposure and sharpness...my battery life isn't that great as it is...using live view all the time would just kill my batteries.

Why can't I lower my ISO and use a faster shutter speed and flash? I can, but I don't want to always resort to that...especially w/ the baby. I can't really explain to her that I need this annoyingly bright light flashing her in the face so that I can get a decent picture.

When i'm taking pics of things more close up, then it's fine. I do decent for things like that. It's just when the distance increases, it becomes harder for me.

The other thing that I would like to know is which magnification should I be looking at? I've been looking at the tenpa, but the one on ebay I've seen is 1.22x. Is it worth it to get that one or should I look into the 1.36x version instead?

@hodown55 how do you like the 1.36x? Are there any significant problems w/ it? Like vignetting or ability to see the numbers at the bottom?

I've only been taking pics w/ my dslr for a little over a year, photography in general a little over 2 1/2. So I'm sure that my "technique" in various areas also could use some work. I'm just trying to figure out how to make things easier for me.

ohata0 wrote in post #12894522
A lot of my shots tend to be indoors as well, so trying to chase around my niece, who is learning how to walk, w/ a tripod would be extremely awkward and would very restricting.

The other reason why I would like a viewfinder magnifier, as opposed to using liveview, is the lack of light when I shoot indoors. I'm already at ISO 3200, 6400 sometimes trying to shoot @ 1/50 w/ my 50mm f/1.9 wide open. Having the camera against my face helps me keep steady and lets me get the shot at 1/50. I'm not sure I could say the same holding the camera away from me while I look at the LCD in live view.

Why can't I lower my ISO and use a faster shutter speed and flash? I can, but I don't want to always resort to that...especially w/ the baby. I can't really explain to her that I need this annoyingly bright light flashing her in the face so that I can get a decent picture.

If you're chasing around your niece, I doubt much would help with MF lenses to nail focus on a moving subject, especially if you are already shooting wide open and slow shutter speeds.

Bounce the flash. There is no need to shoot into anyone's face, unless you are outdoors. Besides, a bounced flash will give a significantly better image.

ohata0 wrote in post #12894522
The other reason why I would like a viewfinder magnifier, as opposed to using liveview...Having the camera against my face helps me keep steady and lets me get the shot at 1/50. I'm not sure I could say the same holding the camera away from me while I look at the LCD in live view.

If you use an LCD viewfinder, you can still brace the camera like you would shooting through the viewfinder, FYI. I do so wearing glasses.

ohata0 wrote in post #12894522
Why can't I lower my ISO and use a faster shutter speed and flash? I can, but I don't want to always resort to that...especially w/ the baby. I can't really explain to her that I need this annoyingly bright light flashing her in the face so that I can get a decent picture.

I forget where I got this from (I think Strobist from a few years back), but you may want to consider what I do for Christmas gift-opening photos. When the kids are ripping open the presents, there's no time to pose and action is happening all over the room (kids handing out presents, kids opening presents, thanking relatives, etc.). This set-up has been great for capturing family moments as they unfold.

Two flash set-up for Christmas:
1. I set up two flashes in opposite corners of the room. They are set to fire upwards at the ceiling.
2. I manually tweak flash power (both flashes should be set the same power) to get good bounce exposure in both ends of the room.
3. Fire away.

When the action is in one end of the room, the closest flash is the main light, the far flash provides fill light. When you see something on the other side of the room, the far flash becomes the main light, the close flash is the fill.

Since I'm aiming at the ceiling, no one gets a face full of flash, unless they're looking down into the flash. Since I'm bouncing off the ceiling, the light is nice and soft all over. I never need to worry about harsh shadows, since there's always a nice fill light. I never need to worry about posing or positioning kids, because both ends of the room and in the middle will be decently lit.

Also, it means I can hand my camera to someone else to take pictures, while I play with and help kids, and know they'll get decently exposed pics too.

Although I'm chasing her around, I tend to take pics of her when she stops moving (or try to anyways).
I do understand that when she is moving, it's harder to take good in focus pics when using MF.

I'll try more w/ the flash bouncing. I have the 430 ex ii. Maybe I'll use my 15-85 while I'm at it and autofocus.

How much are the LCD viewfinders? I remember them being rather expensive (it's been a while since I last checked). The plus would be that it would be useful for video...not that I really do much video though.

Still interested in a VF mag...any other tips?

ohata0,

No problems with vignetting & I can see the viewfinder info, without having to move my eye. I do a lot of macro & wildlife photography & find the combination of the 1.36x magnifying eyepiece & split prism focussing screen to be excellent.

Kev

ok thanks, i'll consider getting it then.

I was trying to use MF today at the mall taking pics of my family, but it didn't turn out so well. I did do some w/ live view at 5x and got good results, but everyone was moving around so much it was a pain to use. So I went to the 15-85 and used AF instead (the only lens in my bag at the moment w/ AF).