350D Viewfinder

Is there any accessory that enlarges the viewfinder, to make manual focussing easier? At the moment it seems more down to luck than anything, as i can't get a clear view with the 350D!?!

Cheers

something that works perfectly to enlarge the viewfinder that has no drawbacks and doesn't cost a ton of money? doesn't exist.

you may want to look into switching focusing screens (not 100% sure that can be done on a rebel) to help with manual focusing.

Cathpah wrote in post #3316171
you may want to look into switching focusing screens (not 100% sure that can be done on a rebel) to help with manual focusing.

Thanks Cathpath, that's something to look into anyway. At the moment i'm looking for ANY alternative that's cheaper than a body upgrade hehe!

Does anyone know ANYTHING about Focussing Screens??? Where would i start?

Yes, you can get a split circle screen: http://photonotes.org/​reviews/viewfinder-screen/


Also, don't forget the diopter on the eyepiece

mcmadkat wrote in post #3317178
Yes, you can get a split circle screen: http://photonotes.org/​reviews/viewfinder-screen/


Also, don't forget the diopter on the eyepiece

Thanks Mcmadkat. I've been looking at the Diopter today, and i'm starting to think that may be the problem. I've got it pushed to the far left, and it looks pretty sharp, but could perhaps be sharper.. I've been practicing today, shooting slightly left and right of focus, to see if i can find the sharp spot, but so far no luck.

Looks like i might need to get a new focussing screen, with -3/-4 diopter.

see this thread:

https://photography-on-the.net …t=298724&highli​ght=eyecup

MF with the 350D is 75% luck anyway in my experience, the viewfinder is too small to get a clear picture, especially when using 300mm at f8 stop down, darn dark!

Having said that, I am getting used to it, its just not as good as a dedicated MF camera.

Be sure that the diopter adjustment is set correctly for your eyesight. If the diopter adjustment is not correct you will never see a sharp image on the focusing screen. 1) Point your lens at the clear, blue sky and throw the sky out of focus. 2) Look at the little squares in the viewfinder that designate the autofocus points. 3) Rotate the diopter adjustment wheel until the little squares are in best focus. You're done. Makes manual focus so much more accurate. If, for some reason, there isn't enough diopter adjustment to compensate for your eyesight, you can buy eyepiece cups with an additional diopter lens installed. Between the diopter lens in the eyecup and the diopter lens in the viewfinder you will be able to adjust the focus to suit your eyesight. Unless of course, you are totally blind and echo-locate!

baxtefer wrote in post #3318501
see this thread:

https://photography-on-the.net …t=298724&highli​ght=eyecup

Thanks for the link Baxtefer, interesting thread. That might be a route to take.

mcmadkat wrote in post #3319843
MF with the 350D is 75% luck anyway in my experience, the viewfinder is too small to get a clear picture, especially when using 300mm at f8 stop down, darn dark!

Having said that, I am getting used to it, its just not as good as a dedicated MF camera.

I'm hearing that!

oldsquawk wrote in post #3319923
Be sure that the diopter adjustment is set correctly for your eyesight. If the diopter adjustment is not correct you will never see a sharp image on the focusing screen. 1) Point your lens at the clear, blue sky and throw the sky out of focus. 2) Look at the little squares in the viewfinder that designate the autofocus points. 3) Rotate the diopter adjustment wheel until the little squares are in best focus. You're done. Makes manual focus so much more accurate. If, for some reason, there isn't enough diopter adjustment to compensate for your eyesight, you can buy eyepiece cups with an additional diopter lens installed. Between the diopter lens in the eyecup and the diopter lens in the viewfinder you will be able to adjust the focus to suit your eyesight. Unless of course, you are totally blind and echo-locate!

lol!

Last time i checked my eyes (last year), they were pretty much fine, apart from the fact that they were continually focussing!?! They gave me some weak perscription glasses for PC and reading, in the hope that my eyes would learn to relax, but the glasses just gave me eye strain so i stopped wearing them!?! I should probably go back, but it's a lot of money for them to miss perscribe me new lenses...

I've adjusted the Diopter all the way to -3, and i'm playing with the idea of getting an additional -4 adapter, just to see if i need more. Only time will tell i guess.

Thanks all!

If you don't need glasses except for close work, you shouldn't have any trouble adjusting the diopter setting on the VF to get a clear image. What power reading glasses did they give you? If you need a -3 or greater adjustment you'd be having serious problems focusing your eyes closer than 5-6 ft away.

The glasses aren't strong at all!?! With the Diopter, i keep turning the wheel to the left and it seems to get sharper and sharper. There doesn't come a point where it looks like it's getting soft again!?!

I've ordereed a -4 viewfinder attachment, i'll see if the squares start to go soft with that on. It's wierd because when i use AF and it locks the image looks sharp to me; so i'm starting to doubt the diopter is the problem; but then saying that, half the time when i upload the images that were AF they're soft anyway, so i'm getting really stumped!

Cheers Jon.

nikons dk-21M is very useful, I had one on my 350D and have one on my 30S. That ebay.uk auction looks to be the same part.

Heh Beano. I also had a little trouble at first with my 400D. I wear glasses for driving/distance only and thought I would need a corrective lens made.

I adjusted the camera until I was almost happy but then bought an EP-EX15 eyepiece extender. I left the lens in it (unlike a lot of people appear to do) and I have found it improved my focussing technique. Don't ask me why, it is just more comfortable not having to press my eye, nose and anything else right against the screen.

Now I'm completley happy with maual focussing.

It wasn't very expensive and may be worth trying out.
It helped me!

Reaperman

nadtz wrote in post #3333443
nikons dk-21M is very useful, I had one on my 350D and have one on my 30S. That ebay.uk auction looks to be the same part.

Cheers nadtz, i'm still playing with the idea of going down this route. The Diopter was the cheapest option, so i'll try that first, but if that fails i'll give the dk-21m a shot.

Reaperman wrote in post #3335020
I was almost happy but then bought an EP-EX15 eyepiece extender. I left the lens in it (unlike a lot of people appear to do) and I have found it improved my focussing technique. Don't ask me why, it is just more comfortable not having to press my eye, nose and anything else right against the screen.

Thanks Reaperman. I don't really have any issues with pressing my nose against the camera, as i tend to shoot with my face slightly turned away anyway. With the lens left in, are you not losing some light? Everything i've read about the extender, says the viewfinder becomes darker with the lens in. If it's helped for you, i'll definitely keep it in mind though... It's a damn site cheaper than a 5D lol!

Can't say I've noticed any difference with light or lack of it.

I was turning my head slightly to get closer to the viewfinder, but now I can look almost straight on. The Extender does, and I quote "viewfinder magnification will be increased by a factor of about 0.5". So I don't know if that is what has improved things for me.

I guess its one of those situations where, it won't suit everyone but it resolved my problem.

The other option instead of a new camera could always be eye surgery

Good luck with whatever you decide.
Reaperman