Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
I didn't do a lot of photography for a few years since I was taking care of my wife, but now I'm back with a vengeance. Unfortunately I started wearing eyeglasses during that period, and I'm finding them to be very annoying especially when using a camera. It's rough going from 20/15 vision to needing bifocals. My Rx is fairly mild, near plano for distance but with an astigmatism correction. My near correction is fairly minor, too.
I'm giving strong consideration to getting long wear monovision contact lenses where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for reading, the kind that you can wear 24/7 for extended periods of time.
What are people's experiences with shooting wearing contacts?
I'm giving strong consideration to getting long wear monovision contact lenses where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for reading, the kind that you can wear 24/7 for extended periods of time.
What are people's experiences with shooting wearing contacts?
Huss
Veteran
I shoot wearing glasses or contacts by necessity. I prefer contacts as there is less to get in the way. Until recently my eyes were corrected for short sightedness evenly (i.e. things before were out of focus the further they got away from me), which was great until I realised that with them in I could no longer focus on things up close. Like my camera... ahh the ravages of age. So now my left eye's contact lens is weaker than the right eye.
This allows me to see things up close (camera dials etc) while still being able to focus correctly w my right eye.
Works for me.
Seems like you are going to do something similar.
This allows me to see things up close (camera dials etc) while still being able to focus correctly w my right eye.
Works for me.
Seems like you are going to do something similar.
CMur12
Veteran
I once had this hope, but I found that peering into an eyepiece caused my eye to bulge outward, resulting in focus shift with soft contacts. It didn't work, at all, for me. I don't know if my experience is unique to me, as I haven't heard anyone else report it.
Most camera manufacturers offer supplemental lenses for fit over the eyepiece of their camera. You might get one of these and have a lens with your prescription mounted into it.
- Murray
PS. Being left-eye-dominant and wearing glasses with graduated lenses, I find waist-level finders wonderful! I have done fine, however, even with graduated lenses and eye-level finders. With some cameras, however, I can't see the whole finder through eyeglasses.
Most camera manufacturers offer supplemental lenses for fit over the eyepiece of their camera. You might get one of these and have a lens with your prescription mounted into it.
- Murray
PS. Being left-eye-dominant and wearing glasses with graduated lenses, I find waist-level finders wonderful! I have done fine, however, even with graduated lenses and eye-level finders. With some cameras, however, I can't see the whole finder through eyeglasses.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
I've been wearing hard air-permeable lenses since my teens. As opposed to the soft ones that everyone else seems to have.
My experience with them over all these years has been fine.
The main thing to look out for wearing them is dusty weather.
After a long strenuous day they do tend to become grey from the proteins settling on them, then I usually switch to my glasses.
That said, I know some people just can't get used to wearing them at all.
My experience with them over all these years has been fine.
The main thing to look out for wearing them is dusty weather.
After a long strenuous day they do tend to become grey from the proteins settling on them, then I usually switch to my glasses.
That said, I know some people just can't get used to wearing them at all.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I wear monovision contacts and have had zero trouble with them once I got used to them which can take a month or two.
kxl
Social Documentary
I used to wear glasses / contact lenses for acute near-sightedness. I did try the mono contact lenses on a trial basis but decided against it -- just felt too strange.
Two years ago I had LASIK eye surgery to correct my near-sightedness, and my only regret was not having had that done much sooner. I do wear reading glasses on occasion.
Two years ago I had LASIK eye surgery to correct my near-sightedness, and my only regret was not having had that done much sooner. I do wear reading glasses on occasion.
Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
I went to contacts for the same reason. Shooting the M9 I figured that I would need the mono vision with the close vision in my shooting eye to see the focus patch better. That was wrong. It's a mirror and somehow you need the distance vision for it. I thought then that I would switch which eye i had the close vision in so to see the lcd better but that fouled the ability to shoot with both eyes open. I've settled on both eyes distance and cheater glasses for close up. Oddly enough, the RX that I have for distance allows me to see closer than the RX in my glasses. So much so that I don't need cheaters to chimp or do menu things. Hope this helps. S
x-ray
Veteran
I started wearing rigid contacts in the late 60's about the time I started shooting RF. I later went to the gas perms when the came out and about three years ago with advances in soft lenses I've been using them. One is slightly under corrected and the other is my prescription. The soft lenses give me excellent Vision and I have no problems with RF, SLR and view cameras. My vision isn't bad to begin with but astigmatism is the dominate problem.
Really I think it come down to the individuals and the problems with each persons eyes. Most eye Dr's have an array of soft lenses in different brands and will fit the patient with the best choice with a trial set of lenses just to see if they like them. My ophthalmologist tried two different kinds giving me a disposable set to last a week or so. Give it a try. My lenses are so comfortable I don't know I'm wearing them.
The only time I have problems is when the pollen count is high or I'm in a dusty environment. Dust isn't your friend. When I wore the rigid kind I had to shoot a job wher construction was happening. I got brick dust in my eyes from masons curing brick. I scratched my cor iss and had to go to the eye doc and couldn't wear contacts for several weeks.
Normally I can read without readers at close range. If my eyes get tired I might have to put on a 1.25 + diopter set of readers or if I'm working on very detailed work.
Give them a try. See if your eye doc has samples and try it.
Good luck!
Really I think it come down to the individuals and the problems with each persons eyes. Most eye Dr's have an array of soft lenses in different brands and will fit the patient with the best choice with a trial set of lenses just to see if they like them. My ophthalmologist tried two different kinds giving me a disposable set to last a week or so. Give it a try. My lenses are so comfortable I don't know I'm wearing them.
The only time I have problems is when the pollen count is high or I'm in a dusty environment. Dust isn't your friend. When I wore the rigid kind I had to shoot a job wher construction was happening. I got brick dust in my eyes from masons curing brick. I scratched my cor iss and had to go to the eye doc and couldn't wear contacts for several weeks.
Normally I can read without readers at close range. If my eyes get tired I might have to put on a 1.25 + diopter set of readers or if I'm working on very detailed work.
Give them a try. See if your eye doc has samples and try it.
Good luck!
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Have you considered a monocle? I've worn one for years: http://rogerandfrances.eu/photography/monocle
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
zerobuttons
Well-known
I use contact lenses with those settings you mention. You should be aware that if your dominant eye for distance is different from your viewfinder eye, this will not work well for you.
My dominant eye for distance is my right eye, and I use the right eye for the viewfinder. My left eye contact lenses are with a slightly lower diopter than in my glasses, and I can easily read small script at a short distance.
I use one-day contact lenses. The place where I bought them, gave me samples for 10 days to try out, before I decided that this works for me. Can you get a similar service from where you would get your contact lenses?
shimokita
白黒
I read somewhere that with a d/SLR you are focusing on the ground glass, which is very near, and with a RF you are focusing at the actual distance that the patch is highlighting... not sure if it's true or not...
After testing different combinations, I have installed the same resulting diopter on both my Leica MP and Nikon F3P... focusing is done without my glasses which are -1.7 for my shooting eye.
Nikon diopters are labeled as to the resulting effect taking into consideration the -1.0 default (I am using a -2.0 labeled diopter which is actually a -1.0 for a total of -2.0). Leica seems to have a -0.5 default and the correction lenses are labeled as actual (I am using a -1.5 which gives me a total of -2.0).
With my eyes the added diopter on the F3P is a big improvement, not so much with the MP. The SLR is a bit easier to use when focusing at a distance.
Casey
After testing different combinations, I have installed the same resulting diopter on both my Leica MP and Nikon F3P... focusing is done without my glasses which are -1.7 for my shooting eye.
Nikon diopters are labeled as to the resulting effect taking into consideration the -1.0 default (I am using a -2.0 labeled diopter which is actually a -1.0 for a total of -2.0). Leica seems to have a -0.5 default and the correction lenses are labeled as actual (I am using a -1.5 which gives me a total of -2.0).
With my eyes the added diopter on the F3P is a big improvement, not so much with the MP. The SLR is a bit easier to use when focusing at a distance.
Casey
marcr1230
Well-known
I have daily use contacts which I wear once in a while
It was life changing the first time I went to the beach and snorkeling w them
Camera use - wow, all those numbers and icons on the edge and side of the viewfinder, never knew they were there
Near vision - hard to read my phone when it's close to my eyes - I didn't realize before how I'd peak under my glasses and have the phone 2 inches from my face
Comfort - great in humid conditions , but still tiring to wear after 4-6 hours
I use them mostly on vacations
It was life changing the first time I went to the beach and snorkeling w them
Camera use - wow, all those numbers and icons on the edge and side of the viewfinder, never knew they were there
Near vision - hard to read my phone when it's close to my eyes - I didn't realize before how I'd peak under my glasses and have the phone 2 inches from my face
Comfort - great in humid conditions , but still tiring to wear after 4-6 hours
I use them mostly on vacations
mrtoml
Mancunian
I wear one contact for distance vision and one for close up/reading (it takes a bit of getting used to but eventually you don't notice it). I adjust the diopter for the viewfinder eye. I cannot get a pair that corrects both near and far sight at the same time.
Before this I used to use a diopter and just stick my bifocal glasses up on my forehead. Contacts are much better.
Before this I used to use a diopter and just stick my bifocal glasses up on my forehead. Contacts are much better.
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
Several of you have touched on something that I was wondering about - the need for a diopter after getting contacts. I'm ok with that.
sakayume
Rank Amateur
Greater ease and convenience when peering through the viewfinder was one of my reasons for getting contact lenses. With glasses I have to close one eye and kind of squint into the viewfinder but I can look into the viewfinder with both eyes open when wearing contacts. I'm not keen on using diopters because my myopia is quite strong and the world becomes a blurry mess when I take my glasses off.
I mostly only wear contacts when I'm purposely going out to take photos and I know I won't be out for more than a few hours. I have the soft daily kind but my eyes are a bit dry so I can't wear them regularly for long hours. I definitely agree with getting fitted at a place that allows you to try them out. Also, don't do what I did and have more than one optometrist during the process. I had three different ones (due to the regular going on holiday) and each (unsurprisingly) had different opinions.
I mostly only wear contacts when I'm purposely going out to take photos and I know I won't be out for more than a few hours. I have the soft daily kind but my eyes are a bit dry so I can't wear them regularly for long hours. I definitely agree with getting fitted at a place that allows you to try them out. Also, don't do what I did and have more than one optometrist during the process. I had three different ones (due to the regular going on holiday) and each (unsurprisingly) had different opinions.
jkjod
Well-known
Monovision is great especially if you have astigmatism. There are multi-focal contact lenses that correct astigmatism also, but these are generally more expensive - later this year there should be a new soft contact lens that corrects both astigmatism and your near vision (called Biofinity Multifocal Toric, which replace an older general contact lens that is not very good). I've been told they should come out later this year, but sometimes their predictions aren't always right.
Gas permeable contact lenses, or "hard/ridged lenses" are more difficult to get used to but if you have mild astigmatism than its likely that the GPs can mask this and you can get multi-focals this way. GPs also generally afford you better near and distance VA. I generally find that patients are much happier with the multi-focal contact lenses compared to mono vision. Some eye doctors are either just lazy or don't think the Multi-focals work and stick everyone in mono vision. The biggest advantage of the multi focals is that you are using both eyes for distance and near, thus keeping your depth or stereo vision in tact. When you disassociate the eyes like in mono vision you will un-doubtladly lose some depth perception.
If you really want to be in contact lenses, there is pretty much an option out there for everyone. Your doctor just needs to be familiar with those options to suggest them to you. There are also a myriad of "hybrid" lenses (soft skirt with GP center) that are really the best of both worlds. Scleral lenses are also becoming more and more popular as materials change. As I said, these options all depend on your doctor. If you are in Chicago, you could go to the optometry school in the Chicago and they will probably have all of these options available. Also, I'm am positive there are contact lens specialty practices in Chicago that also would be able to assist you with these more "specialty" options.
Regardless, there are not many options that you should really wear 24/7 all day/everyday. You are setting yourself up for worse vision and potential eye issues. Sleeping in your contact lenses every now and again is one thing, sleeping in them and not taking them out for 30 is whole other ball of wax.
There are also diopters that you can get for your camera that have the astigmatism built in. Just go to your optometrist and tell them exactly what you want and they should be able to help you.
Gas permeable contact lenses, or "hard/ridged lenses" are more difficult to get used to but if you have mild astigmatism than its likely that the GPs can mask this and you can get multi-focals this way. GPs also generally afford you better near and distance VA. I generally find that patients are much happier with the multi-focal contact lenses compared to mono vision. Some eye doctors are either just lazy or don't think the Multi-focals work and stick everyone in mono vision. The biggest advantage of the multi focals is that you are using both eyes for distance and near, thus keeping your depth or stereo vision in tact. When you disassociate the eyes like in mono vision you will un-doubtladly lose some depth perception.
If you really want to be in contact lenses, there is pretty much an option out there for everyone. Your doctor just needs to be familiar with those options to suggest them to you. There are also a myriad of "hybrid" lenses (soft skirt with GP center) that are really the best of both worlds. Scleral lenses are also becoming more and more popular as materials change. As I said, these options all depend on your doctor. If you are in Chicago, you could go to the optometry school in the Chicago and they will probably have all of these options available. Also, I'm am positive there are contact lens specialty practices in Chicago that also would be able to assist you with these more "specialty" options.
Regardless, there are not many options that you should really wear 24/7 all day/everyday. You are setting yourself up for worse vision and potential eye issues. Sleeping in your contact lenses every now and again is one thing, sleeping in them and not taking them out for 30 is whole other ball of wax.
There are also diopters that you can get for your camera that have the astigmatism built in. Just go to your optometrist and tell them exactly what you want and they should be able to help you.
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
I think jkjod may have some professional experience here. Thank you!
Thank you!
Dwig
Well-known
You'll likely need that diopter eventually, though you might do OK now while your Rx is rather weak.
If you choose to have the distance vision contact made for your dominant eye and that is the eye you use for the camera VF then you need the camera's VF image to be projected at a great enough distance so that your distance correction works. Many cameras project the VF image at around 2m (6-7ft). This may require that you add a diopter to refocus the VF's image to a greater distance. If you setup your contacts the other way then you need to use a diopter to refocus the VF image to a closer distance that is within the "reading distance" range.
MCTuomey
Veteran
This is important, Ken. Generally, wearing any contact lens more than 16-18 hours a day on a consistent basis should be discouraged.
Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
Like several others, I wear the disposable kind and only for photography. It's a bother to constantly go for the cheaters to read something.