US $1,000 DSLR Eye piece

In looking at the dslr Sea Cam and Subal housings, I see the extra cost optical eye pieces at about $1,000 over the "normal" ones.

Would some one please explain the advantage of these and are they also 'better' for W/A shots?

Thanks

Hi,

If you've ever used an F5 with a sportsfinder, you'll be able to appreciate the utility of a big bright viewfinder.

Digital SLR cameras, especially the "prosumer" type have very small viewfinders - especially the first generation and also the "rebel" type cameras. These small finders are very difficult to see and shooting manual focus even more difficult.

The magnified viewfinder brings the image back to "sportsfinder" quality. It provides tremendous value if you're serious about shooting super-macro and it's very useful for shooting WA with large, fast, difficult to frame subjects. For normal wide angle, it's a luxury, but not really necessary.

Cheers

James

I originally bought a D200 Subal housing with the standard viewfinder then very quickly upgraded to the magnified viewfinder. Much better, especially for my 'older' eyes.

Lionfish:

How do you like the 10 vs 12-24 lens ?

Any preference of one to the other?

The wife and I are going for 2 D 200 set ups

Currently shooting a Nexus & Subal N90s and trying to decide on which for the digital - only requirement is that we get 2 the same!

HI,

I will just add, don't look through one in the first place because

once you do YOU WILL WANT ONE

I was warned but did not listen & yes I have a Seacam S45 viewfinder

but what a wonderful piece of kit

Andy :ph34r: :ph34r:

I dove the Nexus (D200) before I purchased my Subal. While I did like the stock handles (the std. Subal right hand handle is a bit of a stretch for the ap. and shutter speed dials for my small hands), I did not like the mounting system for the camera (no quick disconnect slide w/lock) as well as the less friendly ergonomics of the housing itself.

So Subal it was.

Jeff

Lionfish:

 

The wife and I are going for 2 D 200 set ups

Currently shooting a Nexus & Subal N90s and trying to decide on which for the digital - only requirement is that we get 2 the same!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like both; they are different lenses. If I had to choose one to start it would probably be the 12-24 being a more general purpose lens. I really enjoy the 10.5 and the 180 degree field of view, particularly for wrecks. Sounds like you and your wife could just get one of each.

Go for the S45 eyepiece from Seacam. I use in on my D2X; it's fantastic. I use it with all my lenses.

Before that I hade an F5 in a Subal housing. That's no comparison. The Seacam viewfinder is way better that a DA-30 from Nikon (which even costs more).

Is is worth $1000? no. Glad I have it? yes. Very expensive for what it is but it does make things a lot bigger.

When I get the balls to order a L&M D200 housing, I will dump an additional 1k into the viewer. The other one is too damn small.

If you are over 40 or will be while still using your housing you need one of these. I speak as both an eye doctor and a happy user of the Subal magnified viewfinder. Younger people will sometimes not appreciate as big a difference.

Hey Dave,

I did it...viewfinder and all. Hitting upwards of 50 is hard.