Getting older with no viewfinder

[WilsonFlyer]

I guess I already know that it's pretty useless to throw this question out there but I just thought I'd do it to see how others deal with it and to join in our shared misery. LOL

I just bought a NEX-5. One of my hangups in waiting so long and also the reason I hate PnS's is the fact that my close-up vision isn't what it use to be. I now have to wear reading glasses. Only 1.25's at this point but I need them. I simply can't see well enough at 10-12" to read or focus without them.

One of the reasons I've always loved my (D)SLR's is the TTL viewfinder. I like it especially as I have gotter older due to the dioper adjustment. It has been a God-send on my T2i.

There must be others here in a similar situation. How have you learned to cope with these cameras with no viewfinder and having to pull out reading glasses every time you want to take a shot? I feel like I lose a lot of shots because I couldn't be ready "quick enough". I can't walk around with the glasses on because my vision beyond 12" is basically perfect. It's so frustrating!

I know the NEX has an electronic viewfinder that's about a $200 option but it appears basically worthless to me since it's not TTL and therefore doesn't adapt to the lens on the camera nor help with focus.

Anybody have any suggestions to make life easier short of telling us we need to stop setting older? LOL

Thanks,
-bob

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

This may not be the best solution, but its the only one I can think of. I have been wearing glasses since I turned thirty (many years ago now) and I wear bi-focals. The only problem I have is the glasses get smudged from the viewfinder, but I keep a micro-cloth in my pocket. Since long vision is good a no correction lens with the bi-focal will work.

PS You do get used to wearing them!

 

[boBQuincy]

My situation is similar to yours, after telling me the full scientific name for the need for close-up glasses my opthalmologist explained "you're getting old". As Statler and Waldorf say, "Old, it sure beats dead!".

One solution I use is a small plastic magnifier fresnel lens, about the size of a credit card. This is good for reading meus and such but may be too much trouble for a viewfinder. The next solution, and one I have stayed with, is to not buy a camera without a viewfinder. The viewfinders on Canon's SD1100 and G11 are pretty inaccurate but they are still better than the LCD, at least for general photography.

Several viewfinder options have been tried for EVIL cameras but Sony's (completely uncoupled, fixed focal length) seems the least useful. Sorry I don't have any better recommendations. The camera manufacturers have really let us down on this.

 

[jcb]

I'm not much help. If there is a chance I will need them (and that is quite often) I just wear the $12 "cheaters" I get at the airport. I usually end up wearing them throughout my day. They don't come off when I am taking photos.

 

[Pugrpooh]

Hmmm, I just ordered an Oly E-PL2 but it hasn't arrived yet. I also had to get stronger readers a couple of weeks ago so we'll see how this works out. The EVF for the Pens is supposed to be pretty good but I haven't ordered it and it's been a few years since I've used only an LCD screen.

Gianna'sPapa - I got a pair of bifocals too for the first time. I can't get used to them. It seems like there is only a small part in the center of the lens that's in focus and if I move my head everything moves and bends, if that makes any sense. After a while I end up with a headache and take them off. I think I'll go back in the next week and see what they suggest.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Gianna'sPapa - I got a pair of bifocals too for the first time. I can't get used to them. It seems like there is only a small part in the center of the lens that's in focus and if I move my head everything moves and bends, if that makes any sense. After a while I end up with a headache and take them off. I think I'll go back in the next week and see what they suggest.

There are several styles to bifocals. The DW uses invisible tri-focals, one for reading, computer and distance. I think mine are called 1/4 and are visible. Three-quarters of the lens are for distance and the smaller bi is at the bottom closer to the inside. All I do is slightly tilt my head and I have the bifocal. For computer work, I adjust the monitor and my chair so I'm looking through the bifocal without tilting.

 

[DisneyChristmas]

Do NOT bother getting the NEX-5 viewfinder attachment. It's just a top-of-the-camera viewer and doesn't connect electronically with the camera (or the image you're creating).

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Do NOT bother getting the NEX-5 viewfinder attachment. It's just a top-of-the-camera viewer and doesn't connect electronically with the camera (or the image you're creating).

Wow. I was really under the impression that it was a little more than just a picture window. Thanks for the 411. I won't be buying one now for sure and I was seriously considering dropping two bills to try one out.

 

[photo_chick]

I have to either hold the camera at arms length or suck it up and wear my glasses if I'm not using my DSLR's viewfinder with the adjusted diopter. And when I'm tired sometimes I still have to wear my glasses even then.