View finder cover?

[AKLforever]

I found this plastic thing in the box that my camera came in, and looked in the manual to see what it was. It says its the View Finder Cover. Now, why would I want to cover the view finder? To cover it while you travel?

 

[jonestavern]

If this is an SLR, then I believe the viewfinder cover is used to eliminate additional light coming in through your viewfinder during exposure.

Chris

 

[jann1033]

ie if you use a remote your eye won't be at the viewfinder blocking it when you take the photo. i've never used it but maybe i should

 

[Anewman]

ie if you use a remote your eye won't be at the viewfinder blocking it when you take the photo. i've never used it but maybe i should

Exactly when on a tripod light can enter through the view finder and bounce around inside the camera, some dont feel it is a serious issue but some feel the light bouncing around can affect metering and/or leave artifacts in the exposure.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

ie if you use a remote your eye won't be at the viewfinder blocking it when you take the photo. i've never used it but maybe i should

A remote or the timer.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

When you look through the lens, you cover the viewfinder with your eye. When your eye is not there, light is free to come in through the viewfinder, bounce off the mirror, and hit your exposure meter. This can cause you to underexpose because the camera thinks the scene is lighter than it really is.

Once you have set your exposure, you don't need a viewfinder cover. While the picture is being taken, the mirror is out of the way and no light should be able to enter through the viewfinder.

Use a viewfinder cover when you are taking pictures in a non-manual exposure mode and you are not covering the viewfinder with your eye (or anything else). Typically, cameras have a viewfinder cover that attaches to your camera strap, so it's easy to put on. Some cameras come with a built in cover that you use with a little lever near the viewfinder.

This is only an issue for SLRs and DSLRs, not point & shoots or rangefinders.

 

[Groucho]

I think the intended use is for very long exposures, like starfield stuff. I doubt that there's much real-world difference on even longer "everyday" exposures like 10 seconds or so.

I've never tried with and without it though, so I wouldn't bet my life on it. But I wouldn't worry too much about it. I tossed mine in my camera bag and there it's sat since then.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I think the intended use is for very long exposures, like starfield stuff. I doubt that there's much real-world difference on even longer "everyday" exposures like 10 seconds or so.

Once the exposure is set, leaving the viewfinder uncovered isn't a problem regardless of how long the exposure is. It's light sealed during the exposure. It's only when the meter is setting the exposure (which occurs before the mirror flips up) that it matters.

Either use it when you use a tripod and a remote release or shoot in manual exposure mode. Even if you don't bother, it will rarely matter. It will likely cause you to underexpose by 1/3 to 1/2 stops. The one big exception is if the sun (or other bright light) is behind you and is shining in your viewfinder.

 

[AKLforever]

Ok, now that all makes a lot more sense to me, thank you all