45 Degrees vs Straight

Hi,

Regarding only the position for the underwater photographer working, what is your experience/judgement about the angle of the viewfinder - Straight against 45 degrees.

I talk about special viewfinders, normally with big evidence from the housing rear door.

I'd like very much know the forum opinion.

Best regards,

Tigershark

I had a 45 degree viewfinder made for a Tussey housing I used back in my film days. I thought it would make viewing of bottom living creatures better (which it did), but it also made it very hard to keep moving subjects framed correctly.

I often lost them from frame, because it didn't feel natural to be looking partially down, while panning with the movement of the fish. Admittedly, I did get used to it after a while, but kind of regretted modifying it.

I now shoot with an Olympus E-330 DSLR with Live-View, so I shoot exclusively using the LCD screen. My housing allows the LCD screen to tilt outwards, not 45 degrees, but a reasonable tilt. I find this is great for low-down critters and because the LCD is viewed from further back (your face isn't against the rear of the housing), it is also great for following a moving subject.

My viewfinder is straight on, primarily for the reason Jeff says. I haven't used a 45 deg finder, so I can't really say if I'd be able to get used to it or not.

My viewfinder is straight on, primarily for the reason Jeff says. I haven't used a 45 deg finder, so I can't really say if I'd be able to get used to it or not.

First. Ask yourself what kind of subject matter do you, or will you likely be shooting most.

45-degree finders are great for working with macro subjects, especially when you need to get the camera’s optics really down to low to subject to get that eyelevel perspective. The downside is 45-degree finders are a bit more difficult to work with when tracking moving subjects like shark, manta rays, dolphins, etc. in open water.

Here is where a straight on finder is better suited. I shoot predominately wideangle - both static and moving subjects, with macro photography down I the lower 15%. On my Subal housings, I go with the GS 180 finder in that the housing sits a little further from my face so I can somewhat over the top with other eye while shooting.

Walt Stearns

Editor-in-Chief

Underwaterjournal

45 degree finders work well where it is shallow such as in streams. However, I prefer 180 degree finders for scuba diving.

I thought that I should mix up this topic a bit, as a supporter of the 45° :-) I have an INON 45° Viewfinder installed in my Housing.

I would generally say that it does not matter which type of Viewfinder that you have, as long as you have one.

For me there are 2 clear areas of advantage/disadvantage:

* Low down/Macro: An angled has the clear advantage. You can stay a bit further away from the bottom => less sediment stirred up.

* Half-half: Here the Straight has its clear advantage over the angled.

For the rest you simply automatically adjust to it. It took me perhaps 5 dives or so, until my brain had synched to it.

I, personally, do not find it troublesome to follow fish, mantas with the 45° Viewfinder.

/Erik

Ps! Oddly enough it seems like Europe prefers 45° Viewfinders and US straight Viewfinders.

Conclusion:

Both are good, each one for specific situations.

Maybe don't worth spend more money switching from one to another.

Best regards,

Tigershark

I wish I could be certain that I would adjust to the 45 degree finder for macro. I used a Seacam one and totally hated it so I gave up after 2 dives. Now that Subal is doing one, I'll have to make that decision again only I can't change them at will like Seacam allows.

Oddly, I used the straight Subal finder and wasn't sure I was sold on it enough to stay with it. The simple finders were never really a problem for me.