5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

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Archive 2008 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

chez
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p.1 #1 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

The more I shoot the 5D outdoors, especially in bright conditions, the more I get frustrated with the 5D viewfinder. It gets to a point that I have to struggle to see the composition through the viewfinder and times when I cannot see the exposure scale at all. Don't even get me started on the useless back LCD in bright conditions. Do other people have this problem?

Jul 17, 2008 at 01:59 AM

meechahel
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p.1 #2 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

Not on mine...I thought it was a step up from the viewfinder in my 20D. Nothing amazing but haven't had any such problems with it yet.

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:07 AM

JDSA
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p.1 #3 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

I have no idea what you are talking about. My 5D viewfinder is sharp and clear while shooting outside under the Arizona sun.

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:10 AM

chez
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p.1 #4 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

JDSA wrote:
I have no idea what you are talking about. My 5D viewfinder is sharp and clear while shooting outside under the Arizona sun.

I spent 2 weeks in Arizona and was totally frustrated. Do you wear glasses. Maybe that is the problem.

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:14 AM

Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #5 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

The LCD is shite, but the VF is fine IMO - never had an issue.

Maybe your VF display is dying?

Edited on Jul 17, 2008 at 02:15 AM

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:14 AM

mauriceramirez
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p.1 #6 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

A usable Eyecup by Canon would be extremely helpful.

Won't ever happen as long as the marketing gurus insist that Live View addresses that need...

-m

Edited by mauriceramirez on Jul 17, 2008 at 02:19 AM GMT

Edited on Jul 17, 2008 at 02:19 AM

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:18 AM

danmitchell
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p.1 #7 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

chez wrote:
The more I shoot the 5D outdoors, especially in bright conditions, the more I get frustrated with the 5D viewfinder. It gets to a point that I have to struggle to see the composition through the viewfinder and times when I cannot see the exposure scale at all. Don't even get me started on the useless back LCD in bright conditions. Do other people have this problem?

Something must be wrong with your camera, your eyesight, or how you are holding the camera.

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:18 AM

chez
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p.1 #8 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

I've heard other ramblings about people having the same problem as me using the 5D with glasses on. Again I ask, do you people who claim there is not problem also wear glasses? If so, is there a solution that helps us out with the viewfinder. And Dan, don't tell me you don't have a problem with the 5D's LCD.

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:27 AM

Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #9 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

Hey you never said anything about glasses in your original post.

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:34 AM

DocsPics
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p.1 #10 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

The illumination of the exposure scale in the 5D viewfinder is inadequate in bright conditions. The LEDs (or whatever they are) are lousy. The simple low tech red pointer and basic +/_ scale showing over or under exposure in my ancient Nikon FE2 was much more useful. There is a point at which "high tech" become "low performance" and this is a good example.

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:56 AM

Rockies Photo
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p.1 #11 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

I myself wear glasses, and have problems seeing the Exposure bar on my 5D. The VF is perfectly fine though. And my LCD is fine in bright sunlight.

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:59 AM

ovredal73
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p.1 #12 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

I noticed on a friend´s 40D how much better that LCD is in bright light, so in my opinion the 5D LCD is less than impressive. I always have to run into a shaded area to have any chance at chimping.

Edited on Jul 17, 2008 at 03:02 AM

Jul 17, 2008 at 03:01 AM

Tim ONeill
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p.1 #13 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

If you wear glasses a soft brim floppy "boonie" style helps a great deal. Also, the Anglefinder "c" is very helpful.

Jul 17, 2008 at 03:05 AM

BubbaJon
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p.1 #14 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

chez wrote:
I've heard other ramblings about people having the same problem as me using the 5D with glasses on. Again I ask, do you people who claim there is not problem also wear glasses? If so, is there a solution that helps us out with the viewfinder. And Dan, don't tell me you don't have a problem with the 5D's LCD.
I use glasses and I have never had a problem. LCD I agree with but not the VF...
regards,
Jon

Jul 17, 2008 at 03:06 AM

Peter Le
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p.1 #15 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

The view finder has never been a problem....but...if you wear glasses and you can see the exposure bar, then you have never had bright sun light on your back....it is impossible. My solution is contacts. While shooting surfing and kiting on a bright beach contacts allow me to get my eye closer and seems to solve the problem..

Jul 17, 2008 at 04:13 AM

SKYWESTR
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p.1 #16 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

Chez, by chance were you wearing polarized glasses or sunglasses of any sort? I find that when I wear my prescription oakleys the VF display almost completely disapears. I have to take off my glasses to see anything...which is a bit of an oxymoron but that's the way it is...

Hope that helps!
Carl

Jul 17, 2008 at 04:22 AM

danmitchell
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p.1 #17 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

I wear glasses. I'm not exactly young any more. I shoot a 5D. Almost all of my photography is outdoors, often in places like high in the Sierra Nevada or in the desert.

I don't have any problems with a dim viewfinder and I see fine though the viewfinder with my glasses on.

YMMV.

Dan

chez wrote:
I've heard other ramblings about people having the same problem as me using the 5D with glasses on. Again I ask, do you people who claim there is not problem also wear glasses? If so, is there a solution that helps us out with the viewfinder. And Dan, don't tell me you don't have a problem with the 5D's LCD.

Jul 17, 2008 at 04:37 AM

Stunnaz
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p.1 #18 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

I wear glasses and 5D viewfinder is fine. Do you mean the LCD or the viewfinder? I don't see how bright conditions can affect any viewfinder, especially the 5D viewfinder, which is one of the best.

Jul 17, 2008 at 04:40 AM

Monito
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p.1 #19 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

chez wrote: The more I shoot the 5D outdoors, especially in bright conditions, the more I get frustrated with the 5D viewfinder. It gets to a point that I have to struggle to see the composition through the viewfinder and times when I cannot see the exposure scale at all. Don't even get me started on the useless back LCD in bright conditions. Do other people have this problem?

I have exactly the opposite experience.

Are you going from 6x7 film cameras to the 5D?

Edited on Jul 17, 2008 at 04:47 AM

Jul 17, 2008 at 04:46 AM

burningheart
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p.1 #20 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

I wear glasses and rarely use the VF info I can't read it most of the time. But more often i use alternate lenses so i control the aperature manually and only set the shutter speed. but I have no problems seeing though the viewfinder.

Jul 17, 2008 at 04:49 AM

tellingthm
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p.1 #21 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

if it's so bright outside that i can't read the exposure scale in the vf, then i don't need to know what the vf scale says.

sunny f/16 rule: learn it.

Jul 17, 2008 at 07:27 AM

cgi_photo
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p.1 #22 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

I wear glasses

is this your problem? as with any camera I don't like light shining from the side into the viewfinder.
I bought a eyecup (from 5d) and second one (Canon ED-E) , glued the two together and I'm happy with it. it doesn't look like a mercedes but it fits my needs

my2cent
christian

Edited on Jul 17, 2008 at 10:00 AM

Jul 17, 2008 at 10:00 AM

timnosenzo
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p.1 #23 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

chez wrote: Do other people have this problem?

No.

I wear glasses, and if the sun is in the right position I can have trouble seeing through the viewfinder, but this problem is not exclusive to the 5D, its with any SLR I've used.

Jul 17, 2008 at 10:37 AM

Glassbottle
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p.1 #24 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

There is indeed something iffy about the 5D's viewfinder if you wear glasses. For some of us, anyway.

I always found it difficult to take in the whole scene in one look without moving my head in relation to the camera to peek into the corners. And the info stuff can't ever be seen at the same time as the composition.

My photographic life has been vastly improved by moving up to a 1Ds3, in whose viewfinder I can see everything at all times, glasses on or not.

Jul 17, 2008 at 11:03 AM

John Power
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p.1 #25 · 5D viewfinder almost useless outdoors

I posted this exact same comment once and got roundly criticized. I have had 2 5Ds and could barely make out the VF information in either of them when shooting outside. No problem inside. Exactly the same situation with the 30D I currently own.

Edited on Jul 17, 2008 at 12:03 PM

Jul 17, 2008 at 12:03 PM


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