Can you tell me if the eyecup is an accessory that can fit on the TTL prism? If so, how does it? The screw in piece of glass associated with the prism doesn't have any sort of lip on it that would accommodate an eyecup (unless you don't screw it all the way in). Also, where does a diopter go? Lastly, is it a rubber eyecup? I've never seen one anywhere.

-- Deron Chang (dchang@choate.edu), January 24, 2000

Answers

The rubber eyecup will fit on the TTL finder. I have used one for years. My TTL threaded eyepiece does have a lip and that is how the eyecup fits over it. To fit it, all you do is unscrew the eyepiece enough to be able to fit the eyecup, then screw it down. I'm not familiar with the diopters. SR

-- Steve Rasmussen (srasmuss@flash.net), January 24, 2000.

The diopters for the TTL prism drop-in from the front of the epepiece not the rear. If you unscrew the standard eyepiece you will see a tiny retaining ring which holds the standard diopter glass. Just replace the standard one with a new diopter of the proper corrective strength.

-- Garrett Adams (gadams@jps.net), January 24, 2000.

Pentax's DIOPTERS SUCK! I ordered a -1 diopter and was very surprised to find out that all I get is the glass element. NO screw in metal retaining ring. As mentioned above one has to remove the retaining ring on the regular eyepiece and replace the glass. Big pain in the neck.

Another stupid thing: Pentax USA only offers the standard eyepiece as a replacement parts which cost about $30 (including S&H). To add insult to injury you have to assemble the metal ring, retaining ring, and glass element together yourself.

Why can't Pentax just sell diopters and eyepieces like everyone else as one whole assembled unit and at more reasonable price.

Peace Rolland Elliott

-- rolland elliott (rolland_elliott@yahoo.com), January 27, 2000.

And you have to actually screw it in yourself. Pentax does not send a representative along to do it for you. Shame on them!

Seriously, I don't mind the method. Pay only for the part you need -- the glass diopter. BTW, Pentax is not alone, the older Hasselblad prisms (NC-2, etc.) do things the same way and there may be others.

-- Garrett Adams (gadams@jps.net), January 27, 2000.

I bought an eyecup and diopter (-1)and installed both. I discovered that my astigmatism prevents me from seeing the scene clearly through the prism. Oh well. Can an optician create a diopter of this size with astigmatism correction?

BTW: I bought a used eyecup from KEH for seven bucks and it looks brand new. I also bought a used prism cover, used front cap, used top cap and grip (LN-) and saved over 50 bucks over buying these items new. (Consider that the grip was $89 alone.)

-- Deron (dchang@choate.edu), February 11, 2000.

My cheap and ready alternative: go to your local (pro) camera store and get one of these round shaped diopter correction lens for the Nikon high-eye pointers (F100, N90, N8008/N8008S, etc.). It fits, and has the rubber ring that is to me better than the Pentax's. Cheaper and lighter too. You should bring your P67 and try them out on the spot to determine the best amount of correction for you eye(s).

WARNING: The above does NOT apply to Pentax 67II's AE prism, as it accepts correctors somewhat bigger. Order the -3 optional to work with the built-in diopter control and it does come with the ring, around $26.

-- Leping Zha (leping@tamri.com), April 21, 2000.

Just installed two eyecups yesterday (one on my film body, one on my Polaroid body) both on non-meter prisms. I love them! I still like to wear a hat when I shoot but they really help with stray light. I was not sure if the eye cup would work with the NPC back on the pola-body but with a little pressure the prism went back on the body. Many people including me have mentioned displeasure with focusing the pola- body thanks to the extra thickness on the back, but the eye cup at least helps to block stay light. As for the install you simply unscrew the ribbed metal retaining ring, slip the rubber cup over the lip on the ring and replace. One of the rings was really tight, and gaffers tape on a pair of channel locks couldn't get enough grip so I used my mouse pad turned upside down (the rubber provided enough grip).

-- Abel Sanchez (Bigfilmfoto@aol.com), June 22, 2000.