Can't see clearly the display in viewfinder

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I had beening searching for mu first SLR camera and decided on Elan II. However, when I went to a store and looked into the viewfinder, I found out that I couldn't see the display at the bottom clearly. It looked blurred to me most of the time, though I could see it clearly sometimes. Same prolbem with Rebel-G or 2000. I wear glasses for nearsight and some astigmatism. I tried on my new glasses with recent prescription, and it didn't make difference. However, I had no such a problem with Nikon 70, 6006, and 8008s, which I had looked into. With Nikon N60, I need to move the diopter adjustment slide all the way down. Otherwise, it looks blurred too. So I wonder what is the problem and any remedies.

-- Ben Ni (ben_ni@yahoo.com), January 21, 2000

Answers

Don't fret Ben. I couldn't see either a Nikon display or even a Canon display when I bought my first SLR. Same goes for my litte brother with his new Rebel 2K. After one week of shooting with our new bodies, we both were able to see the viewfinder info very clearly. Granted neither of us wear glasses but you can try this out anyway.

First pick up the camera. Obvious I know but stay with me..... Next, depress the shutter halfway to achieve focus in a well lit room or outside in overcast conditions. My point is you don't want to learn this in the toughest conditions. (The Elan dims or increases the brightness of the display based on the amount of light reaching the viewfinder) Next look into the middle of the viewfinder an don't try to look at the bottom display. Sort of let it happen. This seems odd but it worked for me and my brother. Eventually you will see very clearly all of the info at the bottom display area.

You are trying to train your eyes to see compositon at whatever distance (15 feet) and also attempting to see 1.5 inches in front of your eye. It can be difficult.

Side note: I didn't buy a Nikon F-something because of this problem in the showroom. I bought Canon instead because I could see it instantly. Now I know better and should have bought the F-something. JUST KIDDING!!!!

-- Colin Miler (ckmiller@pond.net), January 21, 2000.


Actually both the image on the viewfinder screen and the display are at an optical distance of about 1 meter. Doesn't matter if you're focused at infinity or 6", the screen is always 1 meter away as far as your eyes are concerned.

If you can see things clearly at a distance of 1 meter (3 ft), the viewfinder image and display should be in focus. You might have to move your eye around a bit to see all of what's in there though, especially if you wear glasses. The eye relief on most EOS bodies isn't great, so you have to be pretty close to see everything. With glasses, this can be a problem for some people.

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), January 21, 2000.


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