Seeking viewfinder magnifier for 50D

So, my eyes aren't what they used to be.

I'm looking for a viewfinder(not LCD) magnifier for
an EOS 50D; one which magnifies the entire view.
Not just the center.

I have tried so far:

1) vintage Asahi Pentax magnifier
It does magnify, well enough for me to focus manual lenses
of wider angles, but leaves the edges mostly out of view.
Only the center of view is magnified and fully visible.
Sticks out from back of camera by more than an inch.

2) vintage Canon magnifier
Provides same results as the Pentax: center-magnified,
outer edges nearly unseen, sticks out from back of camera by
more than an inch.

3) vintage Asahi Pentax angle finder
This one actually somehow brings more of the viewfinder into view
in a way I'm able to more clearly see, but does not seem to be any
sort of magnifier. It does nothing to help my eyes focus wider lenses,
is a permanent(rotatable) right-angle, and rather bulky on the camera.


What I'm seeking:
1) A viewfinder magnifier for the EOS 50D which magnifies
the entire view as seen by the naked eye.
2) A magnifier which is compact, projecting no more than 1/2 inch
from the camera when mounted.
3) A magnifier which roughly doubles the viewfinder view, or perhaps
around 1.5x.

What I do NOT want:
Something like a $300 optically-epitomal magnifier.
I cannot justify spending $200 or more on a magnifier,
most of which seem to already be angle-finders,
which are bulky and awkward to use.

Am I chasing a red herring, or does something like a full-view magnifier
exist which magnifies the entire view and does not cost more than
a number of current lenses, without hanging off the back of the camera
by over a solid inch and a half?

Really, I'd like to think this exists somewhere without spending
a small fortune.

I don't think you will find what you want, getting a magnifaction usually means you lose part of the frame and the reason they are so thick is because they have a prism inside. Some of the early ones had a mirror instead of a prism but they were not much smaller and reversed the image left to right making them tricky to use.
I have used a Pentax refconverter M on my 50D, this gives 1x and 2x viewing but that cuts off part of the frame at 2x and it sticks out about 2 inches from the viewfinder, eaxactly what you dont want.

"It does nothing to help my eyes focus wider lenses"

If that is a primary concern, have you considered a focusing screen?

I have no idea if one is available for that model, but it would help tremendously.

And just to make sure ... have you adjusted the diopter? There are also replacment diopters available for stronger adjustments.

Yes, I have a split-prism/microprism screen installed.
It's installed because I primarily use manual lenses.

Are you suggesting a replacement of the camera's own diopter?
If such a thing, that would be an add-on instead, yes?

SkedAddled wrote in post #18624331
Yes, I have a split-prism/microprism screen installed.
It's installed because I primarily use manual lenses.

Are you suggesting a replacement of the camera's own diopter?
If such a thing, that would be an add-on instead, yes?

I'm 99 percent sure there was a tread here in the last year or so discussing a replacment diopter.

Out with the old and in with the new. Think it was a "user replaceable" kind of deal.

Do you know where your diopter adjustment is positioned. If it is all the way to the left you might benefit from a +2 diopter accessory on the viewfinder. Canon has a good description on diopter adjustment at http://cpn.canon-europe.com …tric_adjustment​_lenses.do. See https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …2839A001_2_Diop​ter_E.html for the details of the accessory if you've reached the extreme on the built in adjustment..

You might also check your focus screen as some people reports issues with the alignment. See https://www.photo.net …focus-not-diopter.410447/.

Input appreciated, John.

It's not the focusing screen; I've recently ensured it's accurately shimmed.
Proof & the process detailed HERE.

I think what I'm after now is information on whether the diopter accessory lenses
offer full-view coverage of the viewfinder. My Google-fu is turning up nothing so far.

SkedAddled wrote in post #18624439
I think what I'm after now is information on whether the diopter accessory lenses
offer full-view coverage of the viewfinder. My Google-fu is turning up nothing so far.

Again I ask, where is your current built-in diopter setting. Is it at the extreme in either direction? If so that supports the accessory will help.

In my experience with the Canon branded diopter accessory, the "view" is essentially the exact same view of the bare viewfinder. If you loose anything at all, it would be in the extreme corners of the frame. Even in those areas re-positioning your eye will pick up the corner points.

What have you go to loose, the device is only $15.

I have the built-in diopter adjusted to one click from max(+) adjustment.
It appears the Canon +2 diopter lens will indeed provide some benefit to me,
as a review on the B&H product page does include mention of noticeable
magnification. Thanks for your comments of your experience on finder
view coverage too, John.

Indeed, $15 is small change compared to well over $250 for angle finders
recommended, and even upwards of $100 and more for 'generic' magnifiers
found all over eBay.

If your main problem is being able to see if the image is in focus or not, and you also state that your eyes aren't as good as when you were young, then I very much suggest that you first figure out if you actually just need to see the viewfinder clearly, not just larger.

They built in diopter setting ranges from -3 to +1. Do you need reading glasses? If so, combined with the fact that you have it set to +1 already, then it indicates that a positive extra eyesight correction lens on the viewfinder would help you. Note that as the camera's built in viewfinder optics ranges from -3 to +1, the center setting is -1. If you buy a +2 correction lens, then that means that your new center setting will be +2, when the correction lens is mounted. Your new range will thus be 0 to +4 instead. This is also the reason for that there's no correction lens labeled -1, as that would be no change at all.

The eyesight correction lens looks exactly like the rubber thing that's on the viewfinder from the beginning. The only difference is that instead of a hole to look through, there's a lens to look through.

Myself, I'm nearsighted. I can live with the built-in range, if I use my cameras together with my glasses, which I normally do. But I do have a correction lens anyway, since with that mounted, I can use my cameras with the built-in setting near one end with my glasses, and near the other end if I need to use it without glasses (wet and foggy weather, for example).

Also remember that your 50D does have live view. That can be used for accurate manual focusing, when time and conditions so permit.