DSLR Housing Backs with that Sexy Bump

At the risk of metaphorically opening my mouth and proving that I am an idiot, I wonder why we need to spend $900 USD or more for add-on view finders for u/w housings to see the camera’s entire view finder image. I recall an old ikelite attachment for the N90s housing called a “big eye” or something like that. I realize that the Nikon D(*) SLR view finders are not round and threaded, but would it be possible add a big eye after the camera’s v/f and provide the space in housing back (hence the bump)? Just increase the relief in the v/f area.

Good question.

It's called the Super Eye - and yes, it comes w/ an attachment that lets it slide onto a rectangular viewfinder - I had one for my Fuji S2 Ikelite housing.

But Ikelite "revved up" their housing after that and they now build in the super eye type finder into the housing. So to answer your question, yes, the Ike housings already have an improved viewfinder - it's not just a flat clear back panel you look through into the camera finder.

Cheers

James

Good question.

 

It's called the Super Eye - and yes, it comes w/ an attachment that lets it slide onto a rectangular viewfinder - I had one for my Fuji S2 Ikelite housing.

 

But Ikelite "revved up" their housing after that and they now build in the super eye type finder into the housing. So to answer your question, yes, the Ike housings already have an improved viewfinder - it's not just a flat clear back panel you look through into the camera finder.

 

Cheers

James

James,

Thanks for the quick response. /whiniey voice: Why can't Nexus etc. do this? :whiney voice/

Regards,

Bob

This "improved viewfinder" is an optic that makes the camera's eyepiece look smaller and farther away. Nexus does offer this, they just call it a pickupfinder instead of a super eye.

This isn't the improvement I'm after. I want the eyepiece to look larger and at the same apparent distance.

Yeah, that's why I have an S180...:-) Have you ever tried the Ike Supereye though Ryan? I don't remember it making the VF image look smaller and farther away - but that was a while ago.

Cheers

James

This "improved viewfinder" is an optic that makes the camera's eyepiece look smaller and farther away. Nexus does offer this, they just call it a pickupfinder instead of a super eye.

 

This isn't the improvement I'm after. I want the eyepiece to look larger and at the same apparent distance.

You are 100% right about the magnifying pickup finder. I tried it, but could not get 100% of the camera‘s v/f. I tried adjusting the finder in and out, but since the image was so small I gave up. I don’t think it is too much to ask housing manufacturers to provide 100% image of the camera’s v/f in the housing base price.

A magnified finder is an ergonomic aid and manufacturers should consider all ergonomic issues in their design. That would not just include the size and clarity of the image but also the bulk, trim and bouyancy of the device. A finder should not make the system harder to use yet some do.