aperture64
Shoot Film
When I was younger, I had better than 20/20 vision. However, over the years, my cameras have kept my ego in check and have made me increasingly aware that my eye sight isn't what it used to be. I have glasses, but rarely take them out of the house out of fear that they might get broken or lost.
Here are my stories of cameras keeping my ego in check. What are yours?
Leica M2. I take this camera to the Tribute of Light on 9/11 in lower Manhattan. It was 2015. Never had an issue using this camera before. It's dark and no matter how I twist and turn the camera under a street lamp and squint, I can't see the numbers on the shutter speed dial or aperture ring. The solution was to move both to the max setting and count the clicks. For two days, I was sad about the realization that I couldn't see either.
Another Leica that had a black shutter speed dial, but the numbers were no longer a bright white due to age, so I swapped it out for a chrome M3 dial and the contrast of the black numbers on chrome helped a lot.
A Leica 50mm Elmar 3.5. I had to sell it after 2-3 rolls. I could not see the aperture numbers at all.
My Zero 2000 pinhole that has the rear film counter red window like cameras from the 1940's and 1950's. I can only see the number in bright sunlight and still often blow past the number and waste film.
Rolleicord III. When I bought it in 2017, I could see the shutter speed and aperture numbers under bright sunlight or overcast. By 2020, forget about it. It's the only camera that I grab my glasses when I go shooting. Even with the installed bright screen, nothing is 100% in focus without my glasses. I now only use it once or twice a year and have semi-retired it.
Leica IIIf. I was using it in 2020 on a day with bright overcast and had to squint a little to see the shutter speed dial. This one is hard to give up. A joy to use, but I think it's days are numbered and will enjoy it as long as I can.
Leica IIIc. Sold after one roll. Could not see the numbers on the shutter speed dial.
A chrome Canon 50mm 1.8 lens. Lives in a drawer because, starting around mid-2019, I could no longer see any of the aperture numbers or focus scale.
In 2019, I sold a Pentax K1000 because nothing appeared to be in exact focus, even though my pictures came back perfect. Then I realized this issue started right after my eyeglass prescription was increased. Since I could not find the rare Pentax diopter, I sold it. This one hurt. I love this camera. I learned photography with this model.
I recently bought a Lomography Sprocket Rocket for fun. I have used it twice in two days. I have taken a total of 8 pictures. Yet, the frame counter says I have taken 12, so I am clearly having trouble seeing the frame advance indicator. Fun camera that results in unique images, but I am clearly wasting film without being able to see the indicator. This mishap just let me shaking my head and laughing at myself.
Out of curiosity, I took out my Nikon F100 that I hadn't used in two years to look through the viewfinder because it has a built-in diopter. To my amazement, I could see everything in my living room with incredible clarity. I loaded it up and took it on vacation and really liked seeing everything clearly. A breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, this camera really doesn't inspire me. I just prefer all manual cameras and it feels like a heavy and large camera compared to the Leica M, Leica IIIf or Rolleicord. I stopped using it for two years because it felt like a large point and shoot camera and I often had no memory of the pictures I had just taken. I use it on aperture priority. After I shoot half a roll with it, I can't wait until it is finished. But, I'm starting to accept the inevitable and think the F100 might have to be the future. Seeing the camera settings inside the viewfinder is a huge advantage. I've also always liked the results from the AF-D lenses. Just don't love the size or the experience. I tried an FM2 with a +2.0 diopter, but I used it once in six months and then sold it. Went back to the Leica IIIf.
Here are my stories of cameras keeping my ego in check. What are yours?
Leica M2. I take this camera to the Tribute of Light on 9/11 in lower Manhattan. It was 2015. Never had an issue using this camera before. It's dark and no matter how I twist and turn the camera under a street lamp and squint, I can't see the numbers on the shutter speed dial or aperture ring. The solution was to move both to the max setting and count the clicks. For two days, I was sad about the realization that I couldn't see either.
Another Leica that had a black shutter speed dial, but the numbers were no longer a bright white due to age, so I swapped it out for a chrome M3 dial and the contrast of the black numbers on chrome helped a lot.
A Leica 50mm Elmar 3.5. I had to sell it after 2-3 rolls. I could not see the aperture numbers at all.
My Zero 2000 pinhole that has the rear film counter red window like cameras from the 1940's and 1950's. I can only see the number in bright sunlight and still often blow past the number and waste film.
Rolleicord III. When I bought it in 2017, I could see the shutter speed and aperture numbers under bright sunlight or overcast. By 2020, forget about it. It's the only camera that I grab my glasses when I go shooting. Even with the installed bright screen, nothing is 100% in focus without my glasses. I now only use it once or twice a year and have semi-retired it.
Leica IIIf. I was using it in 2020 on a day with bright overcast and had to squint a little to see the shutter speed dial. This one is hard to give up. A joy to use, but I think it's days are numbered and will enjoy it as long as I can.
Leica IIIc. Sold after one roll. Could not see the numbers on the shutter speed dial.
A chrome Canon 50mm 1.8 lens. Lives in a drawer because, starting around mid-2019, I could no longer see any of the aperture numbers or focus scale.
In 2019, I sold a Pentax K1000 because nothing appeared to be in exact focus, even though my pictures came back perfect. Then I realized this issue started right after my eyeglass prescription was increased. Since I could not find the rare Pentax diopter, I sold it. This one hurt. I love this camera. I learned photography with this model.
I recently bought a Lomography Sprocket Rocket for fun. I have used it twice in two days. I have taken a total of 8 pictures. Yet, the frame counter says I have taken 12, so I am clearly having trouble seeing the frame advance indicator. Fun camera that results in unique images, but I am clearly wasting film without being able to see the indicator. This mishap just let me shaking my head and laughing at myself.
Out of curiosity, I took out my Nikon F100 that I hadn't used in two years to look through the viewfinder because it has a built-in diopter. To my amazement, I could see everything in my living room with incredible clarity. I loaded it up and took it on vacation and really liked seeing everything clearly. A breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, this camera really doesn't inspire me. I just prefer all manual cameras and it feels like a heavy and large camera compared to the Leica M, Leica IIIf or Rolleicord. I stopped using it for two years because it felt like a large point and shoot camera and I often had no memory of the pictures I had just taken. I use it on aperture priority. After I shoot half a roll with it, I can't wait until it is finished. But, I'm starting to accept the inevitable and think the F100 might have to be the future. Seeing the camera settings inside the viewfinder is a huge advantage. I've also always liked the results from the AF-D lenses. Just don't love the size or the experience. I tried an FM2 with a +2.0 diopter, but I used it once in six months and then sold it. Went back to the Leica IIIf.
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
You get to a certain age where it's not just cameras telling you about your vision. Pretty much everything is happy to inform you that you ain't what you used to be.
Hern
Established
I've happily taken to the relief of contacts. Hard to get used to at first but I find the initial discomfort far preferable to having to squint and still not see anything clearly.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Following question in title, FSU rangefinders with their tiny, thin digits on shutter speed dial and lenses.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
More recently i noticed on my OM-4 that i need to hold the camera a bit further away to see the frame counter clearly. No issues with focusing yet.
charjohncarter
Veteran
Any SLR with a wide angle manual lens will tell you if you need to go to an ophthalmologist.
narsuitus
Well-known
Decades ago, I focused my manual focus Nikon F and F2 cameras with Type B screens (ground glass). Eventually, my cameras let me know that I needed to switch to Type A screens (split-image).
More recently, my digital cameras let me know that I could not manually focus with any focusing aids. I must now rely on the camera's auto focus features.
More recently, my digital cameras let me know that I could not manually focus with any focusing aids. I must now rely on the camera's auto focus features.
CMur12
Veteran
To the OP, can you see these things with glasses on?
You said that you have glasses, but that you don't take them out of the house. You mention a +2 diopter correction, which suggests your glasses are for reading. In that case, it is logical that you can't see a shutter speed dial or aperture ring at normal working distances.
My older eyes require more light than when I was young, but with glasses I don't need quite as much light and I can see clearly.
Perhaps a spare pair of glasses would help. You shouldn't need reading glasses to see the image in the finder, but you would to handle settings. You could consider wearing reading glasses on a cord around your neck, so that you can put them on and take them off quickly.
Good luck. I hope there is a solution that allows you to continue using the cameras that give you pleasure.
- Murray
You said that you have glasses, but that you don't take them out of the house. You mention a +2 diopter correction, which suggests your glasses are for reading. In that case, it is logical that you can't see a shutter speed dial or aperture ring at normal working distances.
My older eyes require more light than when I was young, but with glasses I don't need quite as much light and I can see clearly.
Perhaps a spare pair of glasses would help. You shouldn't need reading glasses to see the image in the finder, but you would to handle settings. You could consider wearing reading glasses on a cord around your neck, so that you can put them on and take them off quickly.
Good luck. I hope there is a solution that allows you to continue using the cameras that give you pleasure.
- Murray
Doug A
Well-known
I still enjoy using my Barnack Leicas but when the picture matters I use my wife's Nikon F6 with her 24-85/3.5-4.5 VR lens. Deteriorating eyesight and worsening essential tremor mean I need all the help I can get.
Sanders McNew
Rolleiflex User
Why God created 20mm lenses.
kangaroo2012
Established
I had sudden onset macular degeneration a couple of years ago. 1000 km from home and blind in one eye.
My Leica diagnosed it for me, right eye no image to focus left eye OK.
I drove home telling my wife later that I followed the white line in the middle of the road.
Only kidding but lack of spatial perception is a pain in the eye.
Cheers
Philip now getting an injection in the eye every 6 weeks and vision is almost normal.
Still use glasses to see dials.
But thank Leica for autofocus ( Correfot)
My Leica diagnosed it for me, right eye no image to focus left eye OK.
I drove home telling my wife later that I followed the white line in the middle of the road.
Only kidding but lack of spatial perception is a pain in the eye.
Cheers
Philip now getting an injection in the eye every 6 weeks and vision is almost normal.
Still use glasses to see dials.
But thank Leica for autofocus ( Correfot)
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Not seeing numbers on the dials? Wouldn’t that be due to cataracts rather than ability to focus one’s eyes closely?
I’ve been severely nearsighted since being a teenager. Rather than use diopters on the eyepiece, which would require taking my glasses on and off, I just keep my glasses on and do as best as I can with the viewfinder.
What’s really odd are waist level finders with a magnifier, such as Hasselblad or Rollei. To focus on the groundglass, I have to take my glasses off. If I pop the magnifier up, I have to put my glasses on.
I’ve been severely nearsighted since being a teenager. Rather than use diopters on the eyepiece, which would require taking my glasses on and off, I just keep my glasses on and do as best as I can with the viewfinder.
What’s really odd are waist level finders with a magnifier, such as Hasselblad or Rollei. To focus on the groundglass, I have to take my glasses off. If I pop the magnifier up, I have to put my glasses on.
CMur12
Veteran
I was thinking cataracts, too, but the OP claims to be able to see clearly in an F100 finder.
- Murray
- Murray
Joao
Negativistic forever
Cataracts, yes.
Cataracts, yes.
Bought a Zenit-C. Nice to handle, but unfortunately I was unable to focus with the ground glass (I did not use ground-glass focusing cameras in a while). The Zenit-C was sold.
Later, during a routine check with an ophtalmologist, bilateral cataracts were diagnosed. After the diagnosis I confirmed my inability to use a ground-glass screen with several other cameras.
Surgery was performed, quick smooth recovery.
Now I have to deal with photofobia (better call it an increased sunlight sensitivity). A lightmeter is (always) my assistant and I am often surprised by the difference, after the surgery, between the lightmeter reading and my subjective perception of light.
And I am wondering now if I should buy another Zenit-C...
Joao
Cataracts, yes.
Bought a Zenit-C. Nice to handle, but unfortunately I was unable to focus with the ground glass (I did not use ground-glass focusing cameras in a while). The Zenit-C was sold.
Later, during a routine check with an ophtalmologist, bilateral cataracts were diagnosed. After the diagnosis I confirmed my inability to use a ground-glass screen with several other cameras.
Surgery was performed, quick smooth recovery.
Now I have to deal with photofobia (better call it an increased sunlight sensitivity). A lightmeter is (always) my assistant and I am often surprised by the difference, after the surgery, between the lightmeter reading and my subjective perception of light.
And I am wondering now if I should buy another Zenit-C...
Joao
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
thank god I'm nearsighted. Which means I can see all aperture numbers and shutter speeds etc on my cameras but for some brands I need my glasses to focus through the viewfinder.
My Pentax Program A and luckily the Pentax 6x7 I can focus without glasses, but I need them for Leica (both RF which is a bummer and Leicaflex), my beloved Chinon Memotrons, Konica SLRs (sold them all), my Agfa Isolette III and the Pentacon Six. The Mamiya RB67 otoh is fine again...
I usually focus with the glasses on and frame with the glasses on my forehead. It's a good thing I like shooting stuff that don't move much anyway
My Pentax Program A and luckily the Pentax 6x7 I can focus without glasses, but I need them for Leica (both RF which is a bummer and Leicaflex), my beloved Chinon Memotrons, Konica SLRs (sold them all), my Agfa Isolette III and the Pentacon Six. The Mamiya RB67 otoh is fine again...
I usually focus with the glasses on and frame with the glasses on my forehead. It's a good thing I like shooting stuff that don't move much anyway
Disappointed_Horse
Well-known
Not quick or convenient, but since my fifty-year-old eyes no longer focus as closely as they once did, I have discovered that a reversed 50mm lens makes an excellent magnifying glass for setting the film speed on my old manual cameras like the K1000 and FE.
I too find split image prisms a huge help for focusing an SLR. Not fast, but much better for things that don't move. With my SLRs that lack the split image, I usually try to shoot at smaller apertures and use the focus scale. This works far better than I would have thought with wide angle lenses. With normal and telephoto lenses, I try to shoot at f/2.8 or smaller aperture and not think about it too much. I find when I try to focus as precisely as possible, I usually overthink it and miss focus by a small margin. When I try to shoot faster, I usually have better results.
I too find split image prisms a huge help for focusing an SLR. Not fast, but much better for things that don't move. With my SLRs that lack the split image, I usually try to shoot at smaller apertures and use the focus scale. This works far better than I would have thought with wide angle lenses. With normal and telephoto lenses, I try to shoot at f/2.8 or smaller aperture and not think about it too much. I find when I try to focus as precisely as possible, I usually overthink it and miss focus by a small margin. When I try to shoot faster, I usually have better results.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
aperture 64, you don't need to have your ego held in check. The problem is not an inflated ego, it is that you are not feeling good enough about yourself. Take the advice offered above, and see an optometrist. you need to be checked for cataracts and other age-related issues, but you also need to keep reading glasses with you when shooting. You can get half-height reading (closeup) glasses so you can see over the top of them for distance, and through them for close work. You don't need contact lenses; they won't help in your case. You can get a one-dollar eyeglass cord that slips over the temples of your glasses. You put the glasses on to see up close, and let them dangle from the cord the rest of the time.
There's nothing wrong with you, you just need a tune-up. So get tuned up and feel good about yourself, OK? And get the M2, IIIc, and IIIf back and go shooting!
There's nothing wrong with you, you just need a tune-up. So get tuned up and feel good about yourself, OK? And get the M2, IIIc, and IIIf back and go shooting!
aperture64
Shoot Film
Thanks for the responses.
I think some things were missed. I don't have an inflated ego. I meant ego as in "it sucks that I'm getting old." I don't feel bad about myself or think something is wrong with me. I also have a prescription glasses, which means I see an eye doctor regularly. I don't have cataracts. I am far sighted. My eyeglasses are progressives, which means I can't use contacts. Progressives are three prescriptions in one lens. The top zone is for distance and TV. The middle zone is for computer screen. The bottom zone is iPad, iPhone, books. When the glasses are on, everything is clear. I just don't really take them out of the house because they are expensive and when I look through a camera finder, everything is clear, unless it's the Rolleicord.
And, no, I am not wearing a cord around my neck. Too young and my parents don't even do that.
I think some things were missed. I don't have an inflated ego. I meant ego as in "it sucks that I'm getting old." I don't feel bad about myself or think something is wrong with me. I also have a prescription glasses, which means I see an eye doctor regularly. I don't have cataracts. I am far sighted. My eyeglasses are progressives, which means I can't use contacts. Progressives are three prescriptions in one lens. The top zone is for distance and TV. The middle zone is for computer screen. The bottom zone is iPad, iPhone, books. When the glasses are on, everything is clear. I just don't really take them out of the house because they are expensive and when I look through a camera finder, everything is clear, unless it's the Rolleicord.
And, no, I am not wearing a cord around my neck. Too young and my parents don't even do that.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
I feel I'm "too young" to wear bifocals, wear prescription compression socks, wear hearing aids, pay attention to my PSA, mind my cholesterol, take regular medication for all sorts of things, but I still do it. And no, my parents don't have a few of these issues, but they do wear cords for eyeglasses when needed.
Just like "investing" in the repair and maintenance of a nice camera to be used instead of putting it on a shelf, eyeglasses are even more necessary to wear or have available all the time you need them. Otherwise, there is no reason to buy them if your quality of life is reduced simply from the choice to not take them out.
Maybe get a good eyeglass case and keep it in your camera bag?
Phil Forrest
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I think the point that I and others are making is that if what you've been doing doesn't work, then why not try something else:
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got." (Usually attributed to Moms Mabley)
So for example, why not try a pair of half-lens glasses from Walgreens so you can see your camera? And your resistance to putting a string on them, at least for shooting, is a counter-productive choice that privileges vanity over photography. That is certainly a valid choice, if that is what you really value most. But is it?
To solve your problem, you've gotta give up something.