The best viewfinder made

After looking at various viewfinders (magnifiers). None seem as good as my nikon f/5 sportfinder on my film cameras. Viewing the Lcd screen on the camera back even seems worse. Whats out there that beats a nikon sportfinder for any housing?? I gave up magnifiers in ikelites back in 1983. The thru the lens full frame image is very good in a sportfinder.What's better in the digital world?? Mark

<snip> The thru the lens full frame image is very good in a sportfinder.What's better in the digital world?? Mark

Nothing that I've seen. Some have close to equivalent image size, but not even close in brightness, (or especially) in how far off-axis the pupil can be without losing the image.

<sad sigh>

All the best, James

For underwater photography I think that the RS and the Subeye had better viewfinders than the F5 actionfinder in a housing.

The biggest viewfinder I have is on my Hasselblad. I can look through that with two eyes - although it is not as bright as a 35mm camera. It is also reversed left to right - which is interesting!

Many of the DSLRs are also compromised by not showing 100% of the image. Although the pro-bodies are pretty good for this.

I think viewfinder magnifiers are a very personal thing - totally related to how you compose images. Personally I don't use a magnifier - I am happy with a small image as long as I can see all of it. Most people though - find that their magnifier is essential.

Others love a 45 degree angle. I have never like these - but others find them essential.

The bottom line for me is that viewfinders are a personal preference dependant on how you see images and compositions - although bigger, brighter and 100% view are usually a good thing.

Alex

Before we get overcome by nostalgia for the old Nikon action finder, let's recall some of its drawbacks. First, a lot of light was lost in viewing, at least one to two f-stops. Second, if you wore glasses, there was no compensation for vision correction. I used to have a corrective lens on my aiming eye, and plain glass on the other eye so I could read my instruments.

I never used the Subeye, but I'll agree that the RS viewfinder is the best I've seen on an underwater system. The lenses were great as well. Too bad the rest of it was obsolete the day it was manufactured (6006 electronics in an N90S era).

I'm happy with my D200 and standard Subal finder, and haven't felt the need for a magnifier.

My vote is for the Nikonos RS as well, I still have two bodies and four of the lenses.

Phil

Phil,

When was the last time you shot with your Nikonos RS? LOL......I thought film was outlawed in Florida I thought you were in love with your Olympus digital cameras?

I too, remember paying mucho' $$$$ for a Canon F1 sportfinder that was horribly dark. The newest el cheapo' dSLR cameras have brighter viewfinders than that overpriced gizmo was IMHO. 100% is nice, but not totally needed when everything is in constant motion underwater. Photographer, fish, currents, etc. It's still more "grab" shooting unless you guys are taking a tripod down

I also wear an Rx low profile black mask to make it usable. So far for any situation I haven't felt a huge need for something bigger / more expensive.

I have no nostalgia for "old" underwater gear! It was a PITA (pain in the a--

dhaas

I think viewfinder magnifiers are a very personal thing

My s45 and s180 keep my reg off the back of the housing, which is a more pronounced advantage now that I use one of the new low volume masks. I can access all rear controls while my eye is glued to the viewfinder without tilting my head to allow my fingers between the reg and the housing back, My eye is always on-center to the viewfinder and I don't get the neck stiffneess I used to get from shooting through a flat viewfinder. These are all ease of use features and are all about making the uw-photo imperative more enjoyable, not necessarily more productive.

I don't think I have ever been in a circumstance or captured an image that couldn't have been done as well with a flat viewfinder though I am certain I have had a bit more fun taking specific images because of the ergonomic advantages these pieces deliver. Of course, I realize for some people the cost/benefit relationship doesn't make sense and I'd say if there is any unneccesary expenditure in our little hobby world....accessory viewfinders are probably it! I use them because these viewfinder have made shooting underwater a more pleasurable experience **for me**

Hi Dave,

I guess like Alex I still find reasons to have film cameras around. I also have Pentax 6 X 7 and 645 bodies and lenses plus a Contax N-1 35 mm. All still take excellent images because of excellent glass so I have no compelling reason to get rid of them. Still do some teaching and black water diving with the P.D. and use the RS for those times.

Regarding Olympus, they have the most outstanding made for digital lenses on the market. Thats is not love just a fact.

Phil